UPDATE: Carney eyes special asst. Appointment, increased CO pay

Delaware Governor John Carney has released his plan of action following recommendations of an initial report of an Independent Review into one of the state's prisons.

The review, launched by Governor Carney, looked into the causes of the February 1 incident at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. An inmate uprising resulted in the death of 16-year veteran Lieutenant Steven Floyd. Floyd was one of four prison employees taken hostage during a 19-hour stand-off.

Carney's plan released Tuesday aims to address problems at both JTVCC and within the Department of Correction. It includes appointing a DOC special assistant to lead reform efforts and increasing base pay for correctional officers.

"We have to do a better job of compensating our correctional officers so we can do more to fill these vacancies in negotiations as you may know are underway with the correctional officer's union," says Governor Carney.

According to Carney, there's currently more than 100 vacancies across the system.

The review pointed to the issue of under-staffing, overcrowding, and overall poor management at JTVCC. It's something says Carney hopes can be reduced over time but admits may not happen overnight.

"With respect to these staffing levels, we will commit to a report back publicly at a six month interval and a year to show progress that we're making or we're not making," he says.

The governor says another avenue of investment is the allocation of two million dollars for new cameras at James T. Vaughn, but that funding will require approval by the General Assembly.

District 39 Representative Danny Short says the plan released Tuesday is just the first step.

"My colleagues and I stand together on this effort," says Representative Short. "We would have liked to have been here a lot sooner but sometimes these efforts take a while to get done and actually get negotiated to the point where they are funded and supported whole heartedly."

Reporters caught up with Geoff Klopp, president of the Correctional Officers Association of Delaware, following Carney's released plan on Tuesday.

Klopp, who has been vocal on the issues of under-staffing over the past several months, says he's happy with the recommendations.

"The governor has done everything that he's said he is going to do," Klopp tells 47ABC. "It's now up to the general assembly to raise revenue and give the governor the tools he needs so we can move forward with the Department of corrections."

Another part of the plan is directing the Delaware State Police and DOC to meet and jointly conduct an after-action review. Carney also admitted Tuesday he was disappointed that no criminal charges have been filed yet.

To watch the entire press conference, click here.