Chapter 67. Boot Camp Intensive Incarceration
TITLE 11
Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Prisons and Prisoners
CHAPTER 67. BOOT CAMP INTENSIVE INCARCERATION
§ 6701. Findings and purposes.
(a) The General Assembly hereby finds that certain offenders, especially young adults, respond positively to a short term military-type program which would provide for the restructuring of behavior through a highly-regimented routine of physical exercise, hard work, continued education, and substance abuse therapy. The General Assembly also finds that the cost of incarcerating the increasing number of criminal offenders in conventional prison facilities has been increasing annually, and there is an urgent need to develop and implement innovative and cost-effective options to alleviate prison overcrowding.
(b) This chapter has the following purposes:
(1) Deterrence. -- To include a "shock" component to give certain offenders, especially young first offenders, an advance warning of the unpleasant consequences of conventional imprisonment, in an attempt to discourage future criminal behavior;
(2) Cost effectiveness. -- To reduce future corrections expenses by utilizing cost avoidance as an effective strategy of cost savings and capital savings due to implementation of this chapter.
(3) Rehabilitation. -- To develop a foundation on which a participant in the program can develop the self-control needed to meet daily stresses and challenges;
(4) Behavior modification. -- To instill more positive attitudes and behavior within each participant, which will be reflected, upon release, in less negative behavior and no subsequent arrests for violent crimes.
70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1.;
§ 6702. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them herein, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) "Bureau" shall mean the Bureau of Prisons.
(2) "Department" shall mean the Department of Correction.
70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1.;
§ 6703. "Violent crime" defined.
For purposes of this chapter, the words "violent crime" shall mean: abuse of an infirm adult; abuse of a patient in a nursing facility; abuse of a patient causing injury; abuse of a patient causing death; adulteration causing death; adulteration causing injury; aggravated intimidation; arson in the first degree; arson in the second degree; assault in the first degree; assault in the second degree; assault in the third degree; assault in the first degree on K-9 dog causing, injury or death to the dog; assault on a K-9 dog with risk of injury to the dog; assault in a detention facility which causes injury; assault in a detention facility; assault on a sports official; bestiality; burglary in the first degree; carjacking; carrying a concealed deadly weapon (firearm offense); continuous sexual abuse of child; criminally negligent homicide; dealing with child pornography, second offense; delivering drug paraphernalia to a minor; delivery or distribution of narcotics within 1000 feet of a school; delivery or distribution of narcotics within 300 feet of a park; delivery or manufacture of narcotics causing death; delivery or manufacture or possession with intent to deliver narcotics (non-use); delivery or manufacture or possession with intent to deliver narcotics listed on schedule I or schedule II; delivery of narcotics to minor under 16 years of age; delivery of narcotics to minor; delivery of non-narcotic drugs to a minor under 16 years of age; delivery or distribution of non-narcotic drugs within 1000 feet of a school; delivery or distribution of non-narcotic drugs within 300 feet of parkland; delivery or manufacture or possession with intent to deliver a non-narcotic controlled substance; delivery or possession with intent to deliver a prescription body-building drug; possession of a destructive weapon; trafficking in drugs; reckless endangering; escape after conviction; escape in the second degree; extortion; possession of an explosive device; unlawful imprisonment; incest; kidnapping in the first degree; kidnapping in the second degree; manslaughter; manufacture or delivery or possession with intent to deliver any schedule I or schedule II narcotic; manufacture or delivery or possession with intent to deliver non-narcotics; manufacture or use or possession of explosives or an incendiary device; murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree; organized crime and racketeering; possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony; possession of a destructive weapon; possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; promoting prison contraband (weapon); promoting prostitution in the first degree; racketeering; reckless endangering first degree; reckless endangering in the second degree; riot; robbery in the first degree; robbery in the second degree; continued sexual abuse of child; unlawful sexual contact in the first degree; unlawful sexual contact in the second degree; unlawful sexual contact in the third degree; sexual exploitation of a child; sexual extortion; rape in the first degree; rape in the second degree; rape in the third degree; rape in the fourth degree; unlawful sexual intercourse in the first degree; unlawful sexual intercourse in the second degree; unlawful sexual intercourse in the third degree; unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree; unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree; unlawful sexual penetration in the third degree; stalking; terroristic threatening; trafficking in illegal drugs; unlawful delivery of a controlled substance; unlawful firearm transactions (second or subsequent offense); unlawful imprisonment in the first degree; unlawful transportation of a firearm to commit a felony; vehicular assault in the first degree; vehicular assault in the second degree; vehicular homicide in the first degree; vehicular homicide in the second degree; wearing body armor during felony.
70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 7, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 21; 77 Del. Laws, c. 313, § 3.;
§ 6704. Establishment of boot camp programs.
(a) The Bureau of Prisons may establish one or more regimented boot camp inmate training programs. Subject to appropriations therefor, each such program shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) A military-style intensive physical training and discipline component;
(2) An educational and vocational component, emphasizing job-seeking skills;
(3) A health education component; and
(4) A substance abuse education and treatment component, which shall be structured as an integral part of the boot camp program.
(5) Such other activities as may be deemed appropriate and effective by the Bureau.
(b) The Bureau may establish and enforce standards for the boot camp program, and each component set forth in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) of this section.
(c) The boot camp facilities and all boot camp participants should be effectively separated from the general inmate population, and shall be supervised by a specially-trained staff.
(d) The boot camp program shall be 6 months in duration; provided however, that any participant who is assigned to the program shall remain in the program at least 1 month, unless the camp commander, in the commander's discretion, determines otherwise. In exceptional cases, a participant may be retained in the program in order to join the next following class if the additional time spent in the program is, in the opinion of the Bureau, needed to allow such person to complete the program successfully after illness or other circumstance has delayed such person's normal progress through the program.
(e) Selection for participation in a boot camp program is a privilege, and not a right. No person has the right to participate in a boot camp program.
70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1.;
§ 6705. Sentencing; boot camp designation.
(a) Each participant in the boot camp program shall have first been convicted of a criminal offense. The selection of boot camp participants shall be made by the Bureau from those offenders not otherwise excluded under this section. However, satisfying the statutory or regulatory qualifications for admission to the boot camp program shall not mean that an offender shall automatically be permitted to participate in the program.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the following offenders shall not be classified or otherwise permitted to participate in the boot camp program:
(1) Any person declared to be an habitual offender under § 4214 of this title;
(2) Any person who is serving a sentence of Level V incarceration for a violent crime.
(3) Any person who is serving a sentence for a violation of probation or parole where the crime for which the offender was originally convicted is any class A, B or C Title 11 violent felony, or any sexual offense as set forth in subpart D of subchapter II of Chapter 5 of this title or any of the following offenses: Vehicular homicide first and second degree, criminally negligent homicide, promoting prison contraband felony or stalking;
(4) Any person designated by the sentencing court or the Attorney General pursuant to subsection (c) of this section as not being eligible for the boot camp program.
(c) The sentencing court or the Attorney General shall have the authority to designate any person as bootcamp ineligible at the time of sentencing. Such designation shall be specifically and clearly set forth in the sentencing order.
(d) Subject to the provisions of subsections (a), (b)(1) and (b)(3) of this section, any person serving a sentence for a violation of probation or parole shall be eligible for the boot camp program.
70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 7, § 2; 71 Del. Laws, c. 174, §§ 1-3; 71 Del. Laws, c. 484, § 1.;
§ 6706. Criteria for selection and classification by the Bureau.
In order for a person to be eligible for selection by the Bureau for the boot camp program, such person shall:
(1) Not be subject to any of the exclusionary criteria under § 6705(b) or (c) of this title;
(2) Be at least 18 years of age at the time of sentencing;
(3) Have been sentenced to a period of incarceration of 5 years or less;
(4) In accordance with the Bureau's assessment and determination, be physically and mentally capable of successfully completing the rigorous boot camp program; provided, however, no such assessment and/or determination shall be deemed as a waiver of any of the various immunity defenses or otherwise trigger a duty, obligation and/or liability on the Department or Bureau not presently provided under applicable law;
(5) Be a resident of the State; and
(6) Have a term of not less than 9 months, nor have more than 18 months remaining in Level V incarceration.
70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 7, § 3.;
§ 6707. Contract; admission into the program.
No offender may participate in the boot camp program unless such individual voluntarily enrolls by agreeing to be bound by a written contract with the Bureau, which contract shall clearly set forth the obligations, duties, responsibilities and expectations with which such offender must comply. A representative of the Bureau shall also explain to the offender the intended benefits of the program, and the consequences of failing the program. The time served as a boot camp participant shall begin the 1st day such person is physically within the camp.
70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1.;
§ 6708. Evaluation of program participants.
Each participant shall be evaluated by members of the boot camp staff on a continual basis throughout the period of such person's participation in the program. Such evaluation shall include the participant's performance within the program, the likelihood of successful adjustment after release, and such other matters which the boot camp staff deems relevant or important.
70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1.;
§ 6709. Conduct and administration of boot camp program.
(a) The program shall be a rigorous military-type program which, among other features, shall include mandatory physical training; hard labor which has a rational goal or objective; military formations, drills and courtesy; regimentation of all activities, except those which are specifically exempted by the camp commander; control which is strict, but not capricious; uniformity and cleanliness in dress and appearance; education and counseling; and drug treatment, counseling and education where appropriate.
(b) The Bureau and the camp commander shall establish rules and regulations for the conduct and administration of each boot camp program. Such rules and regulations shall reflect the goals and objectives of this chapter, and shall include a system of rewards for individuals and groups based upon achievements and progress in achieving camp standards and requirements; and shall include sanctions, administered by the staff within the confines and authority of the camp, to punish those individuals whose demeanor, behavior or attitude do not comply with camp standards and requirements. The rules and regulations shall also include the supervision and the structure to be used in each program offered by the camp.
(c) The camp commander and staff shall be responsible for the day-to-day functions and decisions affecting the operations of the boot camp. Each full-time employee employed inside the boot camp shall, to the extent possible, be a volunteer regardless of job description or function. All boot camp employees shall receive appropriate specialized boot camp training. Each drill instructor shall receive specialized drill instructor training, preferably military training, from an agency which specializes in such training. Boot camp employees shall receive, for the same general responsibilities, the same salaries as prison employees not employed in a boot camp. Job bidding shall not be used in the selection of the camp staff.
(d) Participants may be formed into work squads by boot camp staff to perform labor-intensive projects outside the perimeters of the camp. No wages shall be paid to individual participants working outside the camp, but the camp commander may from time to time receive funds or gifts for the general use or benefit of the camp or for all participants. Work squads may be utilized to work on state, county, municipal or town projects; for disaster relief, civil or community emergencies; and for specific projects for non-profit organizations, if the Bureau determines that the project is of direct benefit to a community or a large number of people, and not for the organization itself. No work squad is permitted to do any labor for the benefit of any individual or commercial entity. Approved projects may include, but not limited to, highway clean-up and trash removal; timber clearing on state forestry lands; preparing and stacking sandbags in the event of a flood; and beach and state park clean-up. Participants are not employees for purpose of workers' compensation. Notwithstanding any provision of this title to contrary, any boot camp participant who is otherwise appropriately classified to the boot camp program may participate in work squads pursuant to this section.
70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 7, § 4.;
§ 6710. Sanctions; removal from the program.
(a) A participant who is accepted into the boot camp program shall not receive any credit for time spent in the program, except for actual time served, unless such participant completes the full program. Before any participant is deemed to have completed the full boot camp program, such participant must have been graduated from the program with a written certification of successful completion.
(b) A participant who fails to complete the boot camp program, who is administratively terminated from the program, or who violates any conditions of the program, shall be re-classified to serve the full unexpired term of the original sentence.
(c) Upon the successful completion of the boot camp program as determined by the Department in its sole discretion, and having served at least 6 months of incarceration, the participant shall be allowed to serve the remaining part of the participant's Level V sentence at either Level IV or Level III, in the discretion of the Department. Should a boot camp graduate violate the Level IV or Level III conditions of supervision, such person shall upon conviction of a violation of probation, be returned to Level V custody to serve the full term of the original Level V sentence, less the 6 months served in boot camp.
70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1.;
§ 6711. Aftercare; intensive parole supervision.
A person who has successfully completed the boot camp program shall be placed under parole supervision (Level IV or Level III supervision). During this period, such person shall participate in an aftercare program which emphasizes completion of GED requirements where appropriate, drug and alcohol education and treatment; the development of job placement skills and opportunities; and the learning of successful employment habits and attitudes.
70 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1.;
§ 6712. First offender boot camp diversion program.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this section and notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, any person convicted upon a plea of guilty or otherwise convicted of any of the offenses set forth in subsection (b) of this section may petition the court to defer further sentencing proceedings, and to divert the offender to the boot camp program. In addition, the Department of Correction may petition the court on behalf of any person in its custody who has been convicted of an offense set forth in subsection (b) of this section, for a sentence modification suspending the remainder of the offender's Level V sentence, and diverting such person to the boot camp diversion program ("modify and divert"). The Attorney General shall receive prior notice of all such applications and be provided an opportunity to be heard. Any offender diverted pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this section. No person shall be eligible for boot camp pursuant to this section if the Attorney General's Office, upon written motion, opposes such boot camp diversion pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
(b) Subject to the provisions of this section, certain persons convicted of the following offenses shall be potentially eligible for diversion to the boot camp inmate training program:
(1) Manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver of a controlled or counterfeit controlled substance, as set forth in §§ 4751 and 4752 of Title 16; or
(2) Trafficking in marijuana, cocaine, illegal drugs, methamphetamines, LSD or designer drugs as set forth in § 4753A of Title 16, but only if the weight of the illegal substance possessed is:
a. Less than 15 pounds, for a person convicted pursuant to § 4753A(a)(1) of Title 16; or
b. Less than 15 grams, for a person convicted pursuant to § 4753A(a)(2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of Title 16; or
c. Less than 100 doses, or in a liquid form less than 15 milligrams, for a person convicted pursuant to § 4753A(a)(7) of Title 16.
(3) Burglary in the second degree, as set forth in § 825 of this title, but only if the defendant has not previously been convicted of burglary in the second degree or burglary in the first degree, as set forth in § 826 of this title.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no person shall be diverted to the boot camp program pursuant to this section or to otherwise utilize the provisions of this section, if:
(1) Such person has previously been incarcerated as an adult pursuant to a sentence imposed for a criminal conviction for any offenses set forth in Title 11 or 16, or any equivalent offense set forth under the laws of this State, any other state, or the United States or any territory thereof, and was previously sentenced to a term of more than 1 year of Level V incarceration, which was not suspended.
(2) The Attorney General's Office, upon written motion, opposes the Diversion. Such motion shall clearly articulate the specific reasons for such opposition.
(3) The Attorney General's Office offers the Boot Camp Diversion Program as part of a proposed plea agreement, the appellant rejects the offer, and the appellant is subsequently convicted after trial.
(d) Subject to the provisions of this section, and notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, if the sentencing court chooses to grant the petition to defer or to modify and divert, as set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the sentencing court shall enter a judgment of conviction; and shall then defer sentencing, or modify the imposition of the remainder of any Level V sentence, including any mandatory minimum Level V sentence otherwise required by § 4751, § 4752, § 4753A or § 4763 of Title 16, or by § 825, § 826 or § 4205 of this title or by any other law. The court shall then remand the offender to the custody of the Department of Correction upon the condition that the offender shall complete a program of supervision which shall include:
(1) Placement in a boot camp facility with a substance abuse treatment program for a period of not less than 6 months, to be followed by supervision at Level IV or III, or both, for a period of 1 and 1/2 years;
(2) A requirement that, while at supervision Level IV or III, the offender comply with the terms of a curfew, said terms to be imposed by either the sentencing court or the Department of Correction. The terms of said curfew may include mandated compliance with certain geographical limitations, prohibitions or restrictions;
(3) A requirement that, while at supervision Level IV or III, the offender participate in substance abuse treatment which shall include periodic, random urine surveillance during the entire period of supervision at Level IV or III, or both;
(4) Payment of the costs of prosecution, and payment of a $500 civil penalty to the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation, Education and Prevention Fund; and
(5) any other terms or provisions deemed appropriate by the sentencing court or the Department of Correction.
(e) Whenever the court defers or modifies a sentence pursuant to this section, it shall inform the offender of the sentence to be imposed or reinstated in the event that the offender fails to comply with any of the terms of supervision or probation imposed pursuant to this section. Such term of imprisonment shall not be less than any applicable mandatory minimum sentence mandated for the offense or offenses of which the offender was convicted, as set forth in § 4751, § 4752, § 4753A or § 4763 of Title 16, or § 825, § 826 or § 4205 of this title. Failure of the court to comply with this subsection shall not preclude the sentencing court from complying with any of the other provisions of this section.
(f) Whenever the court defers further sentencing proceedings pursuant to this section, it shall have the authority to remand the offender to the custody of the Department of Correction at Accountability Level III, IV or V until such offender is palced in a boot camp facility.
(g) The Department of Correction shall closely monitor all participants in this program, and shall ensure that those program participants at supervision Level IV or III shall be monitored by officers specifically assigned to such duties. The Department of Correction shall at all times have on duty no fewer than 8 probation officers (2 for each county and 2 for the City of Wilmington) who shall promptly respond to police agencies as requested for the purpose of taking custody of any person who is believed to have violated the terms or conditions of that person's program of supervision or probation at the boot camp, or at Level IV or III. Pursuant to Chapter 43 of this title such probation officer shall promptly file a probation violation report setting forth the nature and circumstances of the alleged violation with the appropriate court.
(h) Upon receipt of an allegation that an offender has violated the terms of that offender's supervision, the sentencing court shall cause the offender to be brought before it without unnecessary delay. Upon a finding that the offender has violated any of the terms or conditions of supervision or probation at the boot camp or at Level IV or Level III, the court shall proceed to sentencing on all charges for which sentencing was originally deferred pursuant to this section, and shall impose not less than the full applicable Level V sentence mandated for the offense or offenses of which the offender was convicted, as set forth in § 4751, § 4752, § 4753A or § 4763 of Title 16, or § 825, § 826 or § 4205 of this title. If the offender had already been sentenced and the sentence was modified pursuant to this section, the offender shall serve the remainder of that original sentence. No credit time shall be given for any time spent in boot camp, Level IV or Level III. Failure of the sentencing court to comply with the sentencing provisions of this subsection shall constitute an illegal sentence within the meaning of Chapter 99 of Title 10.
(i) Upon conclusion of the period of supervision and probation imposed pursuant to this section, the court may find that the offender has successfully completed the program, and, if it does, it shall discharge the offender from probation.
(j) Prior to the release of any offender from the boot camp to supervision Level IV or III, the Department of Correction shall enter into the DELJIS criminal history system information identifying the offender as a first offender drug felon.
71 Del. Laws, c. 174, § 4; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 484, §§ 2-7; 74 Del. Laws, c. 106, §§ 11, 12; 75 Del. Laws, c. 167, § 1.;