June 2004, Richard B. Bundy wrote the following article in the Delaware State news.

Prisons seriously short of guards

It appears that the Delaware Department of Correction manning situation has become a significant crisis. I have been advised that they are 357 officers shourt of their manning requirements and seriously considering putting much of the staff on 12 hour shifts.
Last year the DOC spent over $5 million in overtime pay due primarily to poor manning, and DOC Secretary Stanley Taylor recently indicated that this year's overtime cost would exceed $6 million. Twelve-hour shifts will not help in retention of officers.
It seems now is the time to seriously evaluate DOC officer's pay scales. If we can pay over $6 million in overtime cost, how could this be reinvested into better pay and better retention? Another retention issue is retirement. Maryland and New Jersey corrections officers can retire after 20 years of service. Delaware officers must serve 30 years. Is it any wonder that our corrections officers leave to cross state lines and work for better wages and a more attractive retirement program?
Our Corrections officers perform an important function for this state. It is hazardous work, and we want them to be a competent and professional force. Now is the time to address their pay scale and retirement plan instead of continuing to pay higher overtime bills and lose qualified officers to better positions outside the state.
Richard B. Bundy
Dover
emc@arnold-air.org

EDITOR'S NOTE: The writer, a former commander of the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, and is chairman of the military affairs committee of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce.

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