VICTIM SERVICES
"Informed & Involved in the Corrections Process"
Meeting the Victims' Needs
In 1992, Delaware made history by signing the Victims' Bill of Rights into law. This law mandates that victims are informed about the criminal process and it extends notification and participation rights to them. The felony process is often complicated and confusing. DOC wishes to provide greater assistance and attention to victim participants in the corrections process.
Our Goals
Recognizing that victimization is not a one-time occurrence, as victims can find themselves feeling victimized repeatedly during contacts with the criminal justice system, DOC has chosen to provide services beyond those required by law.
DOC will strive to eliminate the feeling of victimization by encouraging victims to learn more about and become participants in the corrections process.
The Victim Services Unit assists the victim to become both informed and involved so that they may experience less frustration and trauma with prison and probation personnel and be better prepared to participate in the corrections process if they choose. DOC wants victims to be able to receive a complete picture of the effects of crime, enhancing DOC's ongoing evaluations of the effectiveness of community and rehabilitative programs.
The Victim Services Unit also assists with referral services. Victims needing outside support services such as counseling can receive a referral from this unit.
The DOC has five facilities statewide that incarcerate over 6,000 offenders; three Community Centers that house approximately 860 offenders; one Central Violation Center that houses approximately 235 offenders; one Women's Work Release Treatment Center that houses approximately 90 offenders; and four Probation and Parole offices that supervise more than 18,000 additional offenders in the community. Though our department has become very large and complex, and we cannot answer every question, we can tell you what to expect once an offender has entered the system.
The Department of Correction is dedicated to helping victims and survivors find answers to their questions. The information listed below will hopefully help to answer some of the more frequently asked questions. If additional information is needed, please feel free to contact our Victim Services Unit at the telephone number designated below.
Crime Victim - Frequently Asked Questions
What is SENTAC? What do the different levels of sentence mean?
SENTAC or Delaware's Sentencing Accountability Commission established a system, which offers accountability from the criminal justice system to the public. Each victim has the right to know the sentence and may ask for and obtain the level(s) of supervision ordered for an offender.How do I find information about an adult incarcerated offender?
If you are the victim of the crime of an adult offender you may contact the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) Victim Services Unit at (302) 739-5601, ext. 287. This number is valid for all calls during regular business hours Monday thru Friday.What kind of information can I obtain about the incarcerated offender in my criminal case?
The Department of Correction (DOC) by Delaware statute is required to provide the victim with information that is public record. This includes the charge (s); length of the sentence (s); level of the sentence in which time has to be served; sentencing court; sentencing Judge; and current housing location of the offender. Information including, but not limited to offender medical information and disciplinary information is confidential under Delaware statute.If an offender is sentenced to a number of years, does he/she do the entire time in custody?
By law, the offender's sentence is reduced by statutory good time. An offender may also earn meritorious good time for participation in educational programs, rehabilitation programs, and/or work programs. More information on these programs can be obtained through contacting the Victim Services Unit of the DOC.Can a victim call the Department of Corrections regularly to make inquiries about an adult offender who is on probation?
Yes. But only certain information about an offender's probation can be released. This information includes: terms/conditions of probation, programs the offender is ordered to participate in, whether an offender is complying with terms of probation and whether the offender is complying with order to pay restitution/fines.If I am the victim of a case, will I be notified upon the release of the offender?
Yes, you will be notified in writing by the Department of Correction thirty (30) days prior to the release of the offender. It is important that you keep your address information and telephone numbers up to date. If you have moved since the crime occurred or changed your telephone number, please report these changes to the Department of Justice at the 800-870-1790. Also please contact the Victim Services Unit at the DOC at 739-5601, ext. 287.If an adult offender in my case has a job outside of the prison, will I be notified of his status?
There is no notification if from a secure facility, as these offenders are constantly supervised. If from a work release facility, there is a publication in the newspaper every Thursday. When an offender is transferred to a work release facility, a notification letter will be sent to the victim.If the offender in my case escapes or walks-off from a facility, will I be notified as the victim in the case?
The Department of Correction notifies the victim(s) when an offender escapes or walks away from a facility. Every attempt is made to contact the victim by telephone. It is important to make sure that current address and telephone number is kept up to date so that notification will not be delayed or obstructed. Please contact the Victim Services Unit at DOC to give current information for notification 739-5601, ext. 287Is a victim's address and telephone number kept confidential?
Yes, this information is only used by Department of Correction staff in the performance of their duties.Why has the offender in my case been moved to a different institution?
It is not unusual for the Department of Correction to move the offender from one institution to another. There are several reasons for the move but not limited to offender custody level, program needs, security concerns, disciplinary issues, and/or bed management.How can a victim find out if there is a criminal no contact order?
The Victim Services Unit at DOC can give you this information if it has been sent to them on the documents received from the courts.If the offender is contacting me as the victim while incarcerated and there is a no contact order in place, whom should I call?
Contact the Warden's Office at the institution where the person is incarcerated. The Warden will direct his staff to take the necessary action to resolve the issue.Can a victim know where the offender is going to live?
A victim of a crime can know what county the offender is living in but not the exact street address. However, if the offender is a sex offender, he/she must register with the State's Sex Offender Registry. Addresses of sex offenders are available on the Registry. The Sex Offender Registry includes offenders sentenced after 1994.Can a victim obtain a current photograph of the offender upon their release?
Yes, please contact the Victim Services Unit for the Department of Correction at 736-5601, ext. 287 during regular business hours.If an offender is on probation and is also violating a civil Protection From Abuse Order (PFA), whom do I contact?
It is necessary to contact the police department where the violation occurred; they will review the case to see if criminal action is warranted. It is also important to contact the probation officer who is responsible for supervising the offender. Listed below are the contact numbers for each probation/parole office in the state.
| Statewide Offices | ||||
| Location | Phone Number | |||
| New Castle County | 302-323-6050 | |||
| Wilmington | 302-577-3443 | |||
| Kent County | 302-739-5387 | |||
| Susex County | 302-856-5243 | |||
| Home Confinement Units | ||||
| Location | Phone Number | |||
| New Castle County | 302-577-2139 | |||
| Kent County | 302-739-3786 | |||
| Susex County | 302-856-5795 | |||
If an offender is violating the conditions of bail, whom do I contact?
It is necessary to contact the police department where the violation occurred; they will review the case to see if criminal action is warranted. In some cases, alleged defendants are placed with a probation officer until the case is adjudicated through the courts. It is also important to contact the probation office to see if the offender is assigned an officer. If so, there are administrative procedures in place for the officer to work with the offender.
For Information
Information relating to your case can be sent in writing to:
Victim Services Unit
Delaware Department of Correction
Attn: Cathy Escherich
245 McKee Road
Dover DE 19904
e-mail cathy.escherich@state.de.us
Or by calling:
Cathy Escherich
(302) 857-5287
For associated victim websites, see related links.
Your request will be kept in the strictest confidence and it is our hope that this will go a long way to providing you peace of mind.
