Governor Carney announces agreement to increase correctional officer pay

Governor John Carney and the Correctional Officers Association of Delaware are announcing an agreement to raise starting salaries for Delaware's correctional officers along with studying more changes to help recruit and keep officers, and cut the use of mandatory overtime across the state's correctional system.

The agreement was approved on Monday by COAD's membership.

Governor Carney says, "This agreement represents a significant step forward in addressing our staffing challenges at the Department of Correction. We will fairly raise starting salaries for Delaware's correctional officers, and work closely with COAD to improve our ability to recruit officers. To be clear, making real improvements to our prison system won't happen overnight. But we are committed to working, over the long-term, to improving conditions for officers and inmates inside Delaware's correctional facilities"

Geoff Klopp, President of the Correctional Officers Association of Delaware says, "This is a great first step in the right direction. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Carney on the issues facing our prison system."

Perry Phelps, Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction said, "We're committed to taking the necessary action to address the issues facing our prison system. This agreement to increase salaries will help us recruit and retain officers. And we will continue to work hand-in-hand with COAD to consider additional changes that will improve the working environment inside our facilities."

Officials say that Governor Carney has vowed to increase correctional officer pay, and take steps to cut the use of mandatory overtime as a response to the first report of the Independent Review into the causes of the February first incident at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.

The two year agreement will rise starting salaries for correctional officers to $40,000 in fiscal year 2018, and to $43,000 in fiscal year 2019 which is a 22 percent increase over current salary levels.

Salary negotiations are somewhat based on a study and comparison of correctional officer salaries in surrounding states.

The agreement also establishes a new six member Labor Management committee to review ways to assist recruit and keep officers, and cut the use of mandatory overtime in Delaware's prisons.

The Department of Correction and COAD will each bring on three members to the committee.

Officials say that areas of study will include:
•    The establishment of a 12-hour shift;
•    The establishment of physical fitness testing;
•    The establishment of a career ladder; and
•    The establishment of a freeze policy.

For more information on Governor Carney's plan to put money towards the Department of Corrections, people can go here.