Dover, DE – The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) announced today that it has signed three-year contracts with VitalCore Health Strategies to provide medical care, behavioral health care and substance use disorder treatment to individuals under DOC supervision.

The DOC’s Bureau of Healthcare, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services is responsible for contracting medical and behavioral health services in all Level V (prison) and Level IV (work release and violation of probation) facilities, as well as providing behavioral health services to individuals on supervised probation. The DOC initiated Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for correctional medical care (click here for RFP documents) and behavioral health care/substance abuse treatment (click here for RFP documents) on December 23, 2022 as the end of the current three-year healthcare services contracts period approached.  Four firms submitted proposals in response to the RFPs: Centurion of Delaware, VitalCore Health Strategies, Wexford Health Sources, and YesCare.

After a comprehensive bid review process the DOC has awarded both contracts to VitalCore Health Strategies.  Based in Topeka, Kansas, VitalCore was founded in 2015 and currently provides services to 106 correctional facilities including county jails, state prisons, and juvenile detention centers across 15 states. The company has approximately 2,200 employees and annual revenues of approximately $300 million.  Click here to learn more about VitalCore and its multidisciplinary-based and collaborative approach to healthcare services and patient care.

“The Delaware Department of Correction is committed to comprehensive healthcare services that provide treatment and promote wellness,” Commissioner Monroe B. Hudson Jr. said.  “VitalCore Health Services was built from ground up as a correctional healthcare company and has developed a strong track record of success providing high quality medical and behavioral healthcare to patients.  We look forward to our partnership with VitalCore to advance this important work at the best value for Delaware taxpayers.”

Both three-year agreements with VitalCore Health Strategies begin July 1, 2023.  The DOC, VitalCore, and Centurion will coordinate a seamless transition of services throughout May and June.

“VitalCore Health Strategies, LLC is extremely excited and pleased to have been awarded the contracts to provide correctional healthcare and behavioral healthcare services to incarcerated individuals in the facilities operated by the Delaware Department of Correction,” said Viola Riggin, VitalCore Health Strategies Chief Executive Officer.  “VitalCore leaders are looking forward to a positive working relationship with DOC officials and to providing an exceptional quality of medical and behavioral healthcare to the DOC population.  VitalCore is proud to emphasize our proactive approach and “doing the right thing the first time.”  We share the same goals as the DOC to provide quality patient care, and we will demonstrate our passion for this work in our daily services.”

The Department of Correction acknowledges outgoing healthcare vendor Centurion of Delaware for partnering with the DOC over the past three years to navigate the historic healthcare challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while assisting the DOC in developing and launching the redesigned statewide substance abuse treatment program “Road 2 Recovery”, substantially increasing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for incarcerated individuals, and embracing innovations including telemedicine to meet patient treatment needs.

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Jason Miller
Chief of Communications and Community Relations
Delaware Department of Correction | Commissioner Monroe B. Hudson Jr.
jason.miller@delaware.gov

Dover, DE – On Wednesday, April 26 the Delaware Department of Correction/Probation and Parole is partnering with state and local service providers and area employers to sponsor Community Resource events in Probation and Parole offices in New Castle, Dover, and Georgetown.  These free events are open to justice involved individuals and all members of the community and feature a wide variety of on-site assistance to meet basic needs and to connect participants to employment opportunities, share referrals to social services, provide addiction resources, and more.  The Resource Events will be held in:

• New Castle at the Hares Corner Probation and Parole office (26 Parkway Circle) from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Dover at the Dover Probation and Parole office (511 Maple Parkway) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Georgetown at the Probation and Parole Georgetown office (22855 Dupont Boulevard) from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

“Our Probation and Parole Offices are gateways to second chances, and our Probation Officers and correctional programming and treatment providers are truly committed to supporting public safety while meeting our reentry mission through a variety of rehabilitation supports,” Commissioner Monroe B. Hudson Jr. said. “Successful probation outcomes are driven by a balanced approach to supervision and the Department of Correction backs that up through partnerships with non-profit and government service providers and local employers to provide basic necessities and meet longer term needs.  We invite all members of our community to stop by our Second Chance Month Community Resource events to get connected to the many resources available to you.”

The Probation and Parole Community Resource Events were organized exclusively by Probation and Parole Officers.  They come as the Department of Correction marks Second Chance Month which is celebrated across the nation each April to recognize the importance of helping individuals, communities, and agencies and organizations that play a role in supporting safe and successful reentry for those who return to the community from incarceration each year. Second Chance Month activities inform and highlight the many opportunities government agencies, service providers, and employment partners to strengthen second chance opportunities for returning community members.

The Department of Correction thanks the more than a dozen community and employer partners who are participating in Wednesday’s events, including the Delaware Department of Labor, Delaware Center for Justice, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, First State Community Action Agency, People’s Place, Oxford House, American Treatment Network, Impact Life, Resolve Staffing, Mountaire, Johnny Janosik, SoDel Concepts, CVS Pharmacy, and others.

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Jason Miller
Chief of Communications and Community Relations
Delaware Department of Correction | Commissioner Monroe B. Hudson Jr.
jason.miller@delaware.gov

Dover, DE – The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) today announced several recent leadership promotions within the Bureau of Prisons.

“The Bureau of Prisons is fortunate to have an exceptional team of highly trained and highly experienced staff who are well positioned to serve in senior roles with increasing authority and responsibility,” Bureau of Prisons Chief Shane Troxler said. “Deputy Wardens Wise and Beck, Administrator Christian, and Majors Beall and Williams are motivated and capable leaders who have contributed greatly to our safety and security mission and have improved facility operations to the benefit of our officers and staff, the individuals under our supervision, and the general public,”

“Congratulations to each of our newly-promoted leaders whose hard work and dedication have earned the respect of fellow Officers, professional staff, and their entire chain of command, said Bureau of Prisons Deputy Chief Kolawole Akinbayo.

Incoming Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI) Deputy Warden Marvella Wise is a 27-year DOC veteran who joined the Department in 1996 and has served assignments at SCI and James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC).  She earned promotions through the ranks, achieving Correctional Corporal in 1998, Correctional Sergeant in 2004, Correctional Lieutenant in 2008, Correctional Staff Lieutenant in 2014,  Correctional Captain in 2018.  In 2020 Wise was promoted to Major at SCI where she served on the Warden’s senior leadership team and the facility’s Security Superintendent with day-to-day responsibility for maintaining safety and security for correctional officers, staff, and inmates.  During her DOC career she has taken on additional responsibilities, including assignments as Field Training Officer, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team, ERC Committee, and Crisis Negotiation Team.  She has been recognized with a Bureau Commendation, Warden’s Award for Outstanding Service, and is a three-time recipient of Employee of the Month.  Deputy Warden Wise has participated in numerous leadership development courses and additional specialized training, including Workforce Planning, Women Leadership Development Program, Leadership Credibility, Hostage Negotiation, Mental Health First Aide, and Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Behavior Science from Wilmington University.

Deputy Warden Wise fills the vacancy created when Sussex Correctional Institution Deputy Warden Jon Beck was named Deputy Warden at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.  Deputy Warden Beck joined the DOC as a Correctional Officer in 1995 and was assigned to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center and then to SCI, where he earned promotions up the rank of Major with the role of Security Superintendent in 2017.  In 2020 he was further promoted to Deputy Warden of SCI.  Deputy Warden Beck has served in specialized units, including the Central Intelligence Group where he served as a Command Post operator and specialized in data procurement with a concentration in Security Threat Group Identification and Communication Surveillance.

Capital Program Administrator Greg Christian is a 32-year DOC veteran who completed his Academy training and joined the DOC as a Correctional Officer in 1990. He first served at JTVCC and SCI in facility security assignments, and later as a K-9 Officer, earning promotion to Sergeant in 1993.  In 1998 he transferred to Correctional Officer – Facilities Maintenance, quickly earning promotions up to Maintenance Foreman in 2004 and Maintenance Superintendent in 2010 with increasing levels of responsibility over staff, routine maintenance, major projects, budgeting and cost control. In 2011 he was promoted to Correctional Maintenance Manager, responsible for managing and directing maintenance activities across all DOC owned and leased facilities.  As Capitol Program Administrator Christian has responsibility over the DOC Facilities Maintenance Unit within the Bureau of Prisons where he oversees the Department’s entire multi-million dollar annual capital program, repair and maintenance activities across 1.9 million square feet of facilities statewide, capital and maintenance budgets, utility infrastructure, maintenance-related service contracts, and training and apprenticeships for facilities maintenance personnel.  He is a graduate of Delaware Technical Community College with an Associates Degree in Applied Science and has completed  numerous specialized technical and leadership training courses.  Christian replaces former Capital Program Administrator Eric Smeltzer who recently retired after more than three decades of distinguished service to the DOC.

Major Wayne Beall of the Special Operations Group, Correctional Emergency Response Team.  Major Beall completed his Academy training and joined the DOC as a Correctional Officer in 2001 and has served assignments in the Bureau of Prisons (Sussex Correctional Institution, James T. Vaughn Correctional Institution), Bureau of Community Corrections (Sussex Community Corrections Center), and the Special Operations Group.  He earned promotions through the ranks, achieving Correctional Corporal in 2010, Correctional Sergeant in 2012, Training Instructor for the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) in 2013, and Correctional Lieutenant in 2019. Beall has been a member of the DOC’s CERT Team since 2002, including as a full-time CERT member who deployed on-site as the CERT Commander during the 2017 inmate uprising at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.

Major Bernell Williams of the Special Operations Group, Office of Inspections/Emergency Preparedness Director.  Major Williams completed his Academy training and joined the DOC as a Correctional Officer in 2002 and has served assignments in the Bureau of Prisons (James T. Vaughn Correctional Center and Howard R. Young Correctional Institution) and the Employee Development Center.  He was first assigned to JTVCC where he earned promotions to Correctional Corporal and Sergeant in 2005.  In 2009, he joined the Employee Development Center (now the Steven R. Floyd, Sr. Training Academy), where he first served as a Staff Training Relief Officer and was part of a team that developed DOC’s new Emergency Preparedness policy and procedures.  In 2015 Williams was promoted to Trainer Educator where he led training and instruction for officer cadets and current officers and staff.  In 2018, he was further promoted to Correctional Captain at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution where his responsibilities included supervision of large numbers of staff, serving as a shift commander, conducting facility inspections, responsibility for facility security audits, and helping develop and implement operating procedures.

See photos of Deputy Warden Jon Beck and Deputy Warden Marvella Wise.  Photos of other promoted officials are not available at this time.

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Jason Miller
Chief of Communications and Community Relations
Delaware Department of Correction | Commissioner Monroe B. Hudson Jr.
jason.miller@delaware.gov

New Castle, DE – The Delaware Department of Correction announced today that John Brennan, Security Superintendent of James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC), has been promoted to Deputy Warden of Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution (BWCI), effective February 27.  Brennan fills the vacancy created when then-BWCI Deputy Warden Kimberly Hughey was promoted to BWCI Warden in December 2022.

“Deputy Warden Brennan is a highly experienced leader who has demonstrated the ability to develop and train employees, manage complex and responsive operations, and embrace new best practices to enhance safety and security and support our reentry mission,” said Bureau Chief of Prisons Shane Troxler.

Deputy Bureau Chief of Prisons Kolawole Akinbayo said, “Deputy Warden Brennan brings a wealth of knowledge and a track record of accomplishment to his new leadership position.  His commitment to collaboration and communication are great assets to meeting the unique challenges and opportunities of administering our statewide women’s prison.”

Incoming Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution Deputy Warden John Brennan is a 28-year DOC veteran who completed his Academy training and joined the DOC as a Correctional Officer in 1994. He has served assignments in both the Bureau of Prisons and the Bureau of Community Corrections. Brennan began his career at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center before transferring to the Employee Development Center as a Staff Training Relief Officer in 1997. Following that assignment, he served at the Sussex Community Correction Center from 1999 to 2001. His most notable achievements with the Department include serving as an Instructor from 2002 to 2011 and holding the office of Security Superintendent at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center from 2011 until his promotion to Deputy Warden. As an Instructor with the Department, Brennan was instrumental in providing initial training to newly hired correctional personnel and refresher training for experienced personnel. Deputy Warden Brennan has been an active member of the East Coast Gangs Association and the Middle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network. As the Security Superintendent at JTVCC with the rank of Major he is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the DOC’s largest prison facility that houses the state’s most complex offender population. Brennan was instrumental in developing JTVCC’s Residential Treatment Unit to house offenders struggling with mental health illness.  Brennan was also influential in creating a multi-classification unit at JTVCC to enhance security within the facility. Brennan has taken numerous specialized leadership courses offered by the National Correctional Institute and Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

The Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution, the only women’s prison in Delaware, opened in December, 1991. The facility houses both pre-trial and sentenced adult females at minimum, medium, and maximum security levels. BWCI provides programming at all security levels. Programming provides offenders with opportunities to gain knowledge, acquire skills and learn an alternative life-style. BWCI provides treatment services, religious services, drug therapy, educational/vocational programs, counseling, and recreation.

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Dover, DE – The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) announced today that it has been recognized within the corrections industry for the best correctional officer recruitment video of 2022.  Corrections1.com, the top online source of information and resources for corrections officers, recently identified the Delaware DOC as producing one of the five best correctional officer recruitment videos from the past year, including one international candidate, and asked its readers to vote for the top spot.  Corrections1 is regularly on the lookout for corrections and police recruitment videos to understand the changing needs of the profession, the type of applicants organizations are seeking, and the changing demands of working in law enforcement and corrections.  The five nominees were selected by Corrections1 editorial staff based on several criteria, including a focus on the variety of correctional officer duties, training opportunities, diversity, compelling music and production value.

More than 2,800 total votes were received and the Delaware DOC recruitment video received by far the most votes, netting 48% of all votes cast.  The Corrections1 recruitment video competition was designed recognizing that understaffing is the biggest challenge correctional systems face and was intended to underscore the great lengths that correctional systems are going to recruit new officers.

“The men and women who join the Delaware Department of Correction know that that they are contributing to public safety, supporting rehabilitation, and making our communities stronger every day,” Delaware Department of Correction Commissioner Monroe B. Hudson Jr. said. “We are driven to recruit capable and committed employees, provide world-class training, and support them with competitive compensation, excellent benefits, a 25-year retirement for Officers, career ladder promotional opportunities, and opportunities to work in specialized positions in a variety of working environments.  If you are considering a rewarding career as a correctional officer take a closer look at what Delaware’s largest law enforcement agency can offer, including a generous signing bonus to help you achieve financial stability.”

Potential applicants can learn more by visiting www.joindelawaredoc.com and can connect with DOC recruiters at 302-739-JOIN (5646) or doc.recruiting@delaware.gov to discuss career options and discuss the hiring process.  Candidates who are ready to apply can begin the application process online at https://www.jobapscloud.com/DE/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1=010123&R2=UBDB01&R3=380400.

“Correctional Officers, as well as police officers, firefighters and paramedics, regularly tell us the top two reasons they choose a career in public safety are to serve their communities and to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Greg Friese, Editorial Director of Corrections1.  “The Delaware DOC video shows the many different roles COs can serve and the pride their COs take in belonging to a profession that is too often unrecognized and unheralded for doing important and dangerous work.”

The Delaware DOC recruitment video was filmed and produced in June 2022 by David Huynh of Captured Concepts, a Delaware-based multimedia production company.

The Delaware Department of Correction faces recruitment and retention challenges from a variety of headwinds that have driven up vacancies among Officers and staff positions, including low regional unemployment which increases competition for workers across the public and private sectors.  Moreover, the strain from the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenge of a tight labor market, competition from other law enforcement agencies, and changing public attitudes toward law enforcement have made it difficult to attracts applicants who may be focused primarily on salary and not on the state government’s generous annual leave benefits, insurance coverage for employees and their families and state pension plans.  The Delaware DOC has worked aggressively to reduce officer vacancies through several investments in recruitment and retention, including regional advertising and outreach, establishing a Citizens Academy program to further build relationships with the community and open a recruitment pathway, streamlining the hiring process, and increasing the Correctional Officer pension to incentivize service beyond 20 years.  Most recently, in October 2022 the DOC increased its signing bonus for new Correctional Officers to $10,000 and began providing housing during the officer training academy for cadets who live more than 75 miles from the DOC training academy in Dover.

About Corrections1: The mission of Corrections1 is to provide the information and resources correctional officers need to make their facilities safe and controlled environments. We do this by providing a secure and reliable online environment for the exchange of information between corrections officers, administrators and departments from across the United States and around the world.  Corrections1 is part of Lexipol, the nation’s leading content, policy and training platform for public safety and local government, enabling first responders and leaders to better protect their communities and reduce risk. More information is available here, https://www.corrections1.com/info/about/.

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Jason Miller
Chief of Communications and Community Relations
Delaware Department of Correction | Commissioner Monroe B. Hudson Jr.
jason.miller@delaware.gov