Final Report of the Delaware Governor's Task Force on Corrections Security

• NCJ Number: 105489
• Author(s): T J Capano; W J Gehrt; J W Jardine; D W Maxmin; P W Murray; J M Rudd; D L Simpson; F L P Stone; R F Stuart; C H Toliver
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 93 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report details factors contributing to correctional management and security problems within the Delaware Department of Corrections, particularly those related to contraband smuggling involving 22 correctional officers and the escape of 4 inmates.

Abstract

One of the most serious problems is the lax supervision of correctional officers and too little hands-on management. An underlying problem is the less than ideal recruitment, training, assignment, and disciplinary practices for correctional officers. Low recruitment criteria and incentives result in selection of employees who are young, undereducated, and potentially susceptible to coercion. In addition, there are major problems in the uniformity, interpretation, and application of security rules that lead to spotty to nonexistent enforcement. Recommendations for improvement cover correctional officer selection and training, security planning, rule enforcement, and security procedures (including searches, emergency response teams, and telephone and mail use). A master roster deployment system is appended. 110 footnotes and references.