Delaware: 1992 SENTAC (Sentencing Accountability Commission)

• NCJ Number: 153828
• Journal: Overcrowded Times Dated: (October 1992) Pages: 9
• Author(s): T J Quinn
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 1 page
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This article reviews Delaware's efforts, through the Sentencing Accountability Commission (SENTAC), to provide more sentencing options.

Abstract

SENTAC recommended and the Delaware General Assembly approved in 1987 a five-level continuum of sanctions. This allows more proportionate punishment of offenders at intermediate levels while still allowing them to work, to pay taxes, to support their families, and to pay back their victims. Since 1990 Delaware has had "truth in sentencing," which abolishes discretionary parole release and limits the ability of the Department of Correction to release offenders sentenced to incarceration. The percentage of violent offenders incarcerated and the lengths of their sentences have increased. Fewer nonviolent offenders go to prison or go for shorter times, or are sentenced at less cost to intermediate sanctions. Evaluations of intermediate sanctions thus far have shown that offenders at intermediate levels do as well as or better than similar offenders who are incarcerated, and at less cost. Delaware's current problem is overcrowding at intermediate sanction levels; more sentencing options are needed at the intermediate levels.