COAD President urges assistance to help current correctional officers

The President of the Correctional Officers Association of Delaware, Geoff Klopp, held a press conference at Legislative Hall in Dover to discuss their concerns.

Klopp appeared angry and concerned, as he pushes for safety over the correctional officers.

Seven weeks have passed by since the murder of Lieutenant Stephen Floyd, during an inmate uprising at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.

The prison guard union proposed a new compensation package recently, in the hopes of alleviating the current problems and preventing future uprisings.

We're told James T. Vaughn needs more than 100 CO's and the hope is that this proposed compensation package would attract new employees.

But even if they do fill those positions, between the hiring process and training, they might not actually enter the prison system for four to five months.

But the package would offer the current 1,500 CO's, some hope in the meantime. It would be an increase in base pay and there's career ladder system that is also integrated in it, which includes promotional increases and step increases.

Governor John Carney recently announced his plan to address security measures. It's a four-pronged approach, which includes a $34,000 investment in new security and communications equipment, an increased presence of specialized security teams, funding for another 50 correctional officers at James T. Vaughn, and improved communication between families of inmates and the DOC.

But Klopp worries that union was not included in any of those plans. Klopp says, "I have no idea what was purchased with that money, what type of equipment, where it's going, nobody has included me in that conversation."

For that reason Klopp tells us he can't comment on the Governor's actions, but he admits if action is taken, it must be now.

We are told if that the compensation package does pass, it will require additional funding from the General Assembly.

Governor Carney made it clear earlier this week that an Independent Review of James T. Vaughn will start this week and he will be open to any recommendations that come out of that review.