Gov. John Carney and Department of Correction Commissioner Perry Phelps released a report that saw progress in implementing the recommendations in the Final Report of the Independent Review of Security Issues at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC).
The report by the independent panel pointed to problems with inmates and the Department of Corrections in assesing blame for the uprising early last year that claimed the life of a corrections officer.
Funding has long been a problem as the state added prison beds, but struggled with periodic budget shortfalls that impacted funding for the correction system.
The progress report noted that hundreds of cameras have been installed at JTVCC for the first time since the facility was built in 1971.
Corrections has strengthened officer safety, communication and training, increased officer recruiting and retention efforts, modernized operations and intelligence gathering and improved services and programs for inmates.
“Since last February, we have committed to publicly documenting the serious challenges at the Department of Correction, and to implementing reforms in a way that will hold us accountable to the public every step of the way,” said Carney. “We have made significant progress in implementing recommendations of the Independent Review team, and taking steps forward that will make our prison system safer for officers and inmates alike. This is not a short-term mission. We have more work to do. But we are committed to doing what’s right, to making necessary changes, and to holding this process accountable publicly.”
Of the 41 recommendations, the DOC has implemented and measurably addressed 40 of them, according to the report written by lawyer Claire DeMatteis, who was assigned as Special Assistant to the DOC for one year to work with Commissioner Phelps on the reforms.
“Some of the recommendations could be implemented with a single directive or action; others, such as efforts to improve communication and culture and issues involving inmate classifications, have been implemented and entail ongoing efforts,” DeMatteis said. “This has been a year of continuous improvement for the Department of Correction. Not all problems are solved, but the department is stronger than it was 18 months ago, one year ago, one month ago.”
The one recommendation that requires additional time to address is the need to reduce mandatory overtime. While enhanced recruiting efforts could take another 18 to 24 months to yield substantial results in lower officer vacancies, DOC leaders are actively seeking short-term solutions, particularly at Vaughn to reduce the high number of overtime shifts required to operate the facility safely. These solutions are expected to be carried out beginning this fall, the report indicated.
Fatigue from overtime has long been considered to be a risk factor for corrections officers who have to be alert to the threat of some inmates taking advantage of fatigue.
“The public should be confident that the Department of Correction is focused every hour of every day on public safety, rehabilitation and the law enforcement training, safety of operations, intelligence-sharing and communication required to prevent another inmate uprising that led to the hostage crisis and tragic death of Lt. Steven Floyd in February 2017,” DeMatteis stated in the report
Click here to read the full report.
