Senate committee hears bill to stop deductions from incarcerated Delawareanswages to aid reentry

Senator Ray Siegfried, chair of the Senate Correction and Public Safety Committee, introduced SB 309 and told the committee the bill would amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code to remove the Department of Correctionsauthority to deduct a portion of incarcerated peopleworkers' housing costs from their inmate accounts.

Supporters said the change would help people leave incarceration with savings that improve their chances for stable housing and employment. "I am of the opinion that inmates should be positioned to enter society with as much support as possible," Siegfried said when introducing the measure, citing the policy goal of improving reentry outcomes.

The bill would end a longstanding practice that, according to committee discussion, deducts roughly $15 per week for part-time work and $25 per week for full-time work from level-4 work-release participants; DOC staff told the committee those rates date to a Bureau of Community Corrections policy from about 2010—2012. Siegfried and witnesses noted the fiscal note shows the deductions have historically yielded about $45,000 a year to the general fund, while testimony indicated DOC has reported about $175,000 in outstanding room-and-board fees.

Paul Shavik, chief of staff for the Delaware Department of Corrections, told the committee DOC received only a short window to review the draft and asked for time to consult internal stakeholders. He described an internal study showing a tradeoff: "if somebody entered the society back into the community on reentry with a little more money in their pocket, they may be more successful," but he also warned that removing the deduction authority would "remove executive agency authority and discretion on managing operations and administration." Shavik said DOCviews this as a process and systems concern, not a revenue issue.

Committee members asked for clarification about who the bill would affect. DOC confirmed the change applies to level-4 work-release participants who typically work outside the facility and earn at least minimum wage; it does not apply to the level-5 prison population. Members also debated statutory wording ("shall" vs. "may") and whether the code currently requires deductions or allows agency discretion.

Several nonprofit witnesses urged passage. Beth Cato of YWCA Delaware said the bill would help people returning from incarceration support families and reduce recidivism by preserving earned income: "When people work while incarcerated, the income they earn should meaningfully support their families," she said. Laurie Alberts of the Partnership and Reentry Coalition of Delaware highlighted the everyday expenses work-release participants face and said "every nickel and penny counts." Miriam Dade, who identified herself as executive director of the TideChiff Justice Project (as stated in testimony), cited the fiscal note and told the committee DOC reported collecting about $40,000 a year while having roughly $175,000 in outstanding room-and-board fees, arguing the practice is "inefficient, cruel, and counterproductive."

No vote on SB 309 was taken at the hearing. The committee accepted prior minutes from its April 14 and May 5 meetings and then adjourned. Committee staff said written public comments would be accepted up to 24 hours after adjournment and submitted to the public record.

Next steps were not specified during the session; committee members and DOC staff indicated the department would review the draft further and that discussion of statutory language and agency discretion remains a key point for any future action.