HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

140th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2

ESTABLISHING A COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER OR NOT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A BOOT CAMP FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE STATE, TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT, AND TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE.

WHEREAS, there have been informal meetings of persons interested in and/or having expertise in the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. Many of these persons believe that a boot camp for certain juvenile offenders would effectively change the behavior patterns of many of these youthful offenders; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Corrections Department is already operating a boot camp designed for adults; and

WHEREAS, approximately forty other states have juvenile boot camps; and cities

or counties within some states also operate boot camps for juvenile offenders.

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 139th General Assembly, the Senate concurring therein, that a "Boot Camp for Young Offenders" study committee (to be known as the "Boot Camp Study Committee") is hereby established.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the membership of the Boot Camp Study Committee shall consist of the House Corrections Committee; three senators (two appointed by the President pro tempore, and one appointed by the Minority Leader); a representative of the Superior Court appointed by the President Judge of that Court, and a representative from the Family Court appointed by the Chief Judge of that Court; the Attorney General or a person representing the Attorney General; the Secretary of the Department of Corrections or a person representing the Secretary; the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families or a person representing the Secretary; the Secretary of the Department of Education or a person representing the Secretary; the Superintendant of the Ferris School; and the State Budget Director. The Chairman of the House Corrections Committee shall Chair the Committee. Eight members shall constitute a quorum. Staff for the Committee shall be designated by the Chairman; and secretarial and typing assistance shall be provided by the House of Representatives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the duties and responsibilities of the Committee shall include, but not be limited to, a study and evaluation of the following issues and subjects:

1. possible goals or objectives of a boot camp program for juvenile offenders;
2. the general theme or philosophy of the boot camp, or any program within it;
3. conditions and requirements for admission to the boot camp program;
4. dismissals from the program;
5. educational requirements;
6. what sites, if any, would be appropriate;
7. staffing;
8. after-care requirements;
9. possible federal financial assistance; and
10. any other related issues or subjects which the Chairman deems to be necessary.