Inmate Death – Steven Crawford
Dover – Steven Crawford, age 60, an inmate at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna, died at Christiana Hospital on Sunday, December 7, 2014 of natural causes following a lengthy illness. Crawford, of Chester, PA, was serving a life sentence for 1st Degree Murder. His sentence effective date was February 6, 1988.
Crawford’s body has been turned over to the State Division of Forensic Science, as is standard procedure.
Foul play is not suspected.
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Dover – The Delaware Department of Correction announces that an offender has failed to return from an authorized weekend pass issued by the Plummer Community Corrections Center in Wilmington. During the weekend, Department of Correction staff conducted a curfew check, were unable to make contact with the offender, and an escape warrant for the offender’s arrest was issued. Repeated and ongoing attempts to make contact have been unsuccessful and at this time the offender’s whereabouts are unknown.
Community Corrections Centers are Level 4 facilities where the Department of Correction manages offenders who are transitioning back into the community. These centers are not secured like Level 5 prisons, as offenders are permitted to the leave the facility to go to work, seek jobs or attend approved treatment sessions.
Anyone with information on this offender is asked to call (800) 542-9524 or their local police department.
Offender name: David L. Daniels
Age: 31
Last known address: Townsend, DE area
Race/Gender: White male
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 170 pounds
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown, with goatee
Aliases/Nicknames: N/A
Scars/Marks/Tattoos: Tattoos on left arm, right forearm, and back
Current Offense: Daniels is serving a six-month sentence of level 4 work release or home confinement following the completion of a prison sentence from a Burglary conviction.
David L. Daniels
Dover – Commissioner Robert Coupe today announced the launch of the official Department of Correction Twitter and Facebook pages. These resources have been developed to enhance communication with Delawareans by providing the public with real-time news and information, including time-sensitive notices about offenders and Department facilities, and updates on expanding resources offered to victims, offenders’ families, and others. The sites will also be regularly updated with postings and photos that reflect the wide range of community outreach efforts by Department of Correction staff and community service work performed by offenders.
“Our Twitter and Facebook pages are important resources that we have established to share news and information with all Delawareans,” Commissioner Coupe said. “These social media sites allow the public to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the many ways we meet our mission to guard public safety and reduce recidivism. They also provide us with another outlet to share offenders’ stories of progress and their commitment to live productive and law-abiding lives.”
Coupe urged Delawareans to stay informed by “friending” the Department on Facebook and “liking” the Department on Twitter. Members of the public can visit the Department of Correction’s social media sites by visiting Twitter.com/DECorrection or Facebook.com/DECorrection.
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Dover – Commissioner Robert M. Coupe today announced that Joanna Champney has been named Chief of Planning and Research for the Delaware Department of Correction. Champney began working in her new position yesterday.
The Chief of Planning oversees a staff of three who support the Department by conducting a wide range of evaluations and studies to enhance existing programs and services. Additionally the Unit is responsible for spearheading policy development and strategic planning efforts.
Champney was most recently the Executive Director at the Delaware Center for Justice, a non-profit organization that engages in advocacy, education, and research, and provides direct services with the goal of building a criminal justice system that achieves a high quality of justice for all who are affected by Delaware’s criminal justice system, including victims, offenders, their families, and the community.
“Joanna brings to this position an extraordinary knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system and significant experience in bringing together diverse cross-sections of stakeholders to advocate for a system that ensures accountability and reduces recidivism,” Commissioner Coupe said. “I am pleased that she has agreed to join the Department of Correction and I look forward to using her skills and talents to support our ongoing efforts to maximize our use of resources toward facilities, programs, and services that protect the public and reduce crime.”
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The Delaware Department of Correction announces that an offender has failed to return from an authorized job seeking pass issued by the Sussex Community Corrections Center in Georgetown. Attempts to make contact with her have been unsuccessful and an escape warrant for her arrest has been issued.
Community Corrections Centers are Level 4 facilities where the Department of Correction manages offenders who are transitioning back into the community. These centers are not secured like Level 5 prisons, as offenders are permitted to the leave the facility to go to work, seek jobs or attend approved treatment sessions.
Anyone with information on this offender is asked to call (800) 542-9524 or their local police department.
Date of walkaway: November 13, 2014
Offender name: Rachel Tarnovshci
Age: 44
Last known address: Lewes, DE area
Race/Gender: White female
Height: 5’2”
Weight: 110 pounds
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Brown
Aliases/Nicknames: N/A
Scars/Marks/Tattoos: N/A
Current Offense: Tarnovshci is serving a six month sentence of level 4 work release or home confinement following a Violation of Probation for Theft.
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