NEW CASTLE, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Delaware lawmakers and leaders in the criminal justice community at New Castle County Police headquarters on Wednesday to offer his congratulations to Governor Jack Markell and members of the Justice Reinvestment Task Force on the signing of the bipartisan SB 226, the Justice Reinvestment Act. The bill was based on a series of recommendations made by the task force, which analyzed crime data and official procedures over the last year in search of reforms to make Delaware’s criminal justice system more efficient and more just.
“A criminal justice system that is fair is the right of every Delawarean,” Senator Coons said. “Using a scientific, data-driven approach, we now have a package of reforms that runs the gamut from pre-trial risk assessment to better information at sentencing to smarter corrections strategies that reduce recidivism. This is a comprehensive approach that includes community-based services to decrease crime and strengthen neighborhoods.”
Governor Markell created the Justice Reinvestment Task Force by executive order last summer after Delaware was selected by the U.S. Department of Justice to participate in its Justice Reinvestment Initiative. The initiative is designed to assist jurisdictions in taking a data-driven approach to improving public safety, reducing spending on corrections and other criminal justice activities, and reinvesting savings in strategies that decrease crime and strengthen neighborhoods. The task force was led by Lt. Governor Matt Denn, with technical assistance provided by the Vera Institute of Justice, and involved substantial contributions from criminal justice leaders throughout Delaware in developing a set of recommendations.
State Senator Patti Blevins (D-Elsmere) introduced legislation based on those recommendations in May. The Senate passed the measure on June 12, as did the House on June 21.
“One of the things that is truly wonderful about this moment is that it happened because stakeholders at every level, from inside and outside of government, worked together,” Senator Coons said. “Drew Fennell and the Criminal Justice Council worked so hard to make this effort possible. Lt. Governor Denn and the Justice Reinvestment Task Force did a great job of identifying opportunities for reform. Leaders in the Senate and House turned those recommendations into legislation and advanced this bill so that Governor Markell could sign it today. I could not be prouder of the strong commitment and partnership shown at every step.”
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