DOC Launches “Friends and Family Handbook” to Help Navigate the Correctional System

The Delaware Department of Correction has launched its “Friends and Family Handbook.” This resource provides information for families and friends of incarcerated individuals to help them navigate the correctional system. The handbook helps to answer common questions as well as open channels of communication between members of the community and the DOC.   CLICK HERE FOR…

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DE Correctional Officer Arrested on Drug Charges and Official Misconduct

01-Fingerprint at crime scene © LZ Image/Shutterstock__8320090

A Correctional Officer at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna has been arrested after an official misconduct investigation by the Department of Correction and Delaware State Police. Delaware State Police were called to the Correctional Center on Sunday after the DOC learned that 27 year old Yesenia Martinez-Morales of Wilmington had smuggled over…

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Milford Police catch Burglary Suspects with MPD K-9 Unit

A 56-year-old man and 52-year-old woman–both of Milford have been arrested for a burglary that happened on S.E. 2nd Street just before 8:00 a.m. on October 27th. Officers found a broken window with a chair underneath the window. As is standard procedure, Milford PD’s K9 Unit responded and conducted a search of the residence. As…

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Milford Man Arrested for Sex-Related Crimes

A 20-year-old Milford man has been arrested for having sexual-related interactions with two minor victims. As a result of an extensive criminal investigation, Markez Davis faces numerous charges. According to Milford Police, he had a presentment through the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and was committed to the Department of Correction in default of $338,000 secured bail.…

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Murder Suspect Dies at SCI

A man who was arrested on murder charges last month has died in prison.According to the Delaware Department of Correction, 57-year-old Michael Klein of Long Neck was being housed in the medical area of Sussex Correctional Institution, and had a history of chronic health conditions.The DOC said he was found unresponsive in his cell by…

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New Warden Appointed For Sussex Correctional Institution

Sussex Correctional Institution will get a new Warden.Scott Ceresini succeeds SCI Warden Truman Mears, who retired last month after 33 years with the Delaware Department of Correction. Mears had been warden at SCI since January 2020.Ceresini has been serving as Kent County Community Corrections Warden and is an 18-year DOC veteran. “Warden Ceresini is a…

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In-Person Visits With Del. Inmates To Resume

In-person visits with Delaware prison inmates will resume Tuesday, March 16th. The Delaware Department of Correction will start to take registration for visitation this Monday March 8th. For information about how to schedule a visit, please CLICK HERE “With just a few remaining inmates recovering from COVID-19 at one correctional facility, and with community spread…

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Del. Expands Educational Opportunities For Incarcerated Offenders

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The Delaware Department of Correction, Department of Education and Delaware Tech have announced a new collaboration that will bring college-level instruction to inmates. The Second Chance Pell Experiment has accepted Delaware Tech as a participant in the federal initiative, which makes Federal Pell grants available to incarcerated offenders to allow them to enroll in remote…

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Del. Phases Out Solitary Confinement In Prisons

Delaware has effectively done away with what’s known as solitary confinement of prison inmates. The Department of Correction had been working for years to end the practice of ‘restrictive housing’ as a disciplinary measure. Commissioner Claire DeMatteis says reforms were based on practices that are shown to create safer environments for officers, inmates, counselors and…

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UPDATED: DOC Arrest Sussex Absconder

UPDATED 9/21/20 – Corrections officials have apprehended an inmate who railed to return to the SCCC from an approved work pass on September 14. Officials say 20 year old Lenear Kellam from Laurel was arrested by Laurel Police on Monday, September 21. He was at the SCCC for violation of parole. ==================================================== The Delaware Department…

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Del. Opens Intelligence Operations Center

The Delaware Department of Correction has opened its Intelligence Operations Center, a new statewide facility that helps to locate, assess and proactively act upon any security threats. According to the DOC and Governor Carney, the IOC is the result of an investment into technology and people and addresses a critical need for better communication and…

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SCI Inmate Dies Of COVID-19 Complications, Other Factors

A Sussex Correctional Institution inmate with underlying health conditions and complications from COVID-19 has died at Kent General Hospital. 55-year-old Charles R.J. Patterson was from Frankford and had been serving a sentence for his 7th DUI conviction. He tested positive back in July. The Department of Correction says Patterson was the only SCI inmate who…

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SCI Inmate Dies Of Hypothyroidism, COVID-19 Complications

An inmate at Sussex Correctional Institution has died of complications from COVID-19 and hypothyroidism. The Delaware Department of Correction says 71-year-old Jackie Lovett tested positive for the virus July 5th as part of the state’s mitigation plan after a cluster of cases developed. After that, Lovett was treated at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center’s treatment…

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Update: Most Inmates Are Recovered Or Symptom-Free After Testing Positive For COVID-19

Nearly 75 percent of the inmates at Sussex Correctional Institution and Morris Community Corrections center who tested positive for coronavirus this month have already recovered. According to the Delaware Department of Correction, the vast majority of the population that tested positive has not shown any symptoms. Currently, 14 have symptoms of illness. A total of…

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More Inmates At SCI Diagnosed With COVID-19

Testing, tracing and treatment are part of the state’s response to an outbreak of coronavirus at Sussex Correctional Institution. Cleaning is also a big part of the Delaware Department of Correction’s mitigation plan. 119 inmates at SCI and three at Morris Community Correction Center in Dover had active COVID-19 infection as of Wednesday, including 95…

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Update: COVID-19 Cases Grow At SCI

The Delaware Department of Correction is taking what it calls aggressive action to control an outbreak of coronavirus at the Sussex Correctional Institution. Inmates with underlying health conditions are being transferred to other facilities. A COVID-19 treatment center has been opened at SCI, where testing has been expanded for the offender population and staff. Initially…

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3 Inmates At SCI Test Positive For Coronavirus

The Delaware Department of Correction has confirmed three coronavirus cases in the prison system. One asymptomatic inmate from Sussex Correctional Institution who tested positive late last week contracted coronavirus in the community. Another SCI inmate received a positive diagnosis while being treated at an area hospital for a medical condition. An inmate from Morris Community…

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Governor Carney Nominates Claire DeMatteis as Next DOC Commissioner

Delaware Governor John Carney announced on his plans to nominate Claire DeMatteis, former senior counsel to then-U.S. Senator Joe Biden as the next Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Corrections. Pending approval of the State Senate, DeMatteis would replace Commissioner Perry Phelps, who announced his retirement last month, effective on July 15. DeMatteis would make…

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