Multiple Delaware Prison Staff Members Reportedly Quit Since Fatal Standoff
SMYRNA, Del. (CBS) – Families of inmates at New Castle County's James T. Vaughn Correctional Center are concerned about the inmates safety.
16-Year Department Of Corrections Veteran Dies In Delaware Prison Standoff
They say phone calls and visits remain restricted, weeks after Correctional Officer Steven Floyd was killed during a hostage standoff.
Some families are concerned some prisoners have been beaten and denied medical care.
Inmates Calls During Delaware Prison Hostage Situation Reference President Trump
A total of 17 staff members have reportedly quit since the standoff. "I struggle to know how we'll keep the facility open if we lose many more officers," said Geoff Klopp, the president of the Correctional Officers Association of Delaware. The association believes that a staffing crisis is to blame for Floyd's death and that inmates dry runs before February 1 to look for security weaknesses.
Klopp says no actions after prison studies in 2004, 2005 and 2006 have officers skeptical about changes and he warns they may walk away. Prisons guards are calling for greater urgency and they want changes made and better pay.
On Tuesday, Gov. John Carney announced that two retired judges, Henry duPont Ridgely and William L. Chapman, will lead an independent review of the hostage situation that took place at the maximum security prison.
"As I have been saying since Feb. 1, we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find out exactly what happened inside James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, and what we can do to prevent this from happening again," said Carney. "These are two well-respected judges who are independent thinkers, with legal background and analytical skills necessary to perform a thorough review and make necessary recommendations. I thank Justice Ridgely and Judge Chapman for their willingness to take on this difficult but important task."
A preliminary report will be presented to Carney on June 1, while a final report will be issued on Aug. 15.
