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Delaware eyes moving inmates out of state amid understaffing

Published  August 22, 2018 7:50am EDT
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Delaware's troubled Department of Corrections is considering moving inmates out of state to relieve the pressure on the understaffed system.

Department spokeswoman Jayne Gravell tells news outlets that the state is "looking at every possible option to reduce overtime and/or eliminate the freezing of staff."

Correctional Officers Association of Delaware President Geoff Klopp says hundreds of inmates could be moved to other states. While he says reducing the inmate population could improve officer safety, he criticized the state for "ineffective" correctional officer recruiting efforts.

REPORT: Prison security concerns unheeded before deadly riot

The department has not released specifics about a potential move.

The state currently houses 5,000 inmates and people awaiting trial.

Many housed in the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center building seized by inmates in 2017's deadly hostage situation have already been moved to other states.

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