DE SB150

Establishes the Office of Corrections Ombudsperson within the Department of Justice to investigate complaints regarding inmate health, safety, welfare, and rights at Department of Correction facilities.

Ombudsperson, appointed by the Attorney General as a full-time lawyer, may investigate abuse, neglect, Department decisions/inactions, policy violations, and legal violations affecting inmates, but cannot investigate underlying criminal convictions or employee employment disputes unrelated to inmate welfare.

Ombudsperson has authority to access Department facilities at all times, interview individuals, access records within 20 business days (5 days for death/assault/medical denial cases), and photograph/video record facility areas.

All communications with the Ombudsperson are confidential and privileged; confidential information may only be disclosed to prevent death/bodily harm, prevent crimes, or report alleged crimes to law enforcement, with Department review and employee notification before disclosure.

Ombudsperson must issue public decisions on complaint investigations, issue recommendations to the Department, and produce annual reports containing complaint statistics, systemic findings, unresolved concerns, and stakeholder input.