Boot Camp Intensive Incarceration

Del. Code tit. 11, ch. 67
in effect

Del. Code tit. 11, § 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.

Del. Code tit. 11, § 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.

Del. Code tit. 11, § 6703 “Violent crime” defined.

For purposes of this chapter, the words “violent crime” shall mean: abuse of an adult who is impaired; 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; home invasion; burglary in the first degree; carjacking; carrying a concealed deadly weapon (firearm or projectile weapon offense); continuous sexual abuse of child; criminally negligent homicide; dealing in child sexual abuse material, second offense; possession of a destructive weapon; 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 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 or projectile weapon 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; 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.

Del. Code tit. 11, § 6704 Establishment of boot camp programs.

(a) The Bureau of Prisons may establish 1 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; (4) A substance abuse education and treatment component, which shall be structured as an integral part of the boot camp program; and (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.

Del. Code tit. 11, § 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.

Del. Code tit. 11, § 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.

Del. Code tit. 11, § 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 first day such person is physically within the camp.

Del. Code tit. 11, § 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.

Del. Code tit. 11, § 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 nonprofit 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 cleanup 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.

Del. Code tit. 11, § 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.

Del. Code tit. 11, § 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.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title11/c067/index.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026

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