Warden Thomas Carroll,

The Correctional Officer’s Association of Delaware’s position as stated by previous executive boards has been to decline the introduction of twelve (12) hour shifts. This previous stance is still currently echoed by the membership as well as the Executive Board. This program of 12 hour shifts holds little or no benefit for the senior and seasoned officers. The introduction of such a scheduling system may well become the precursor to a decline in the already precarious staffing levels already existing at the institutions. A package needs to be worked out so that there are incentives that are designed to retain the seasoned and senior officers and would allow them to benefit from projects such as these. The Union therefore requests that instead of the establishment of a program that is currently incomplete with issues that need to be addressed with the legislature, the Department should look into programs designed to increase staff retention.

The issue of retention has been brought forward by both the Commissioner of the Department of Correction and the Governor’s Task Force. There has been in-depth discussion about career ladders and new retirement programs. There was even a Task Force on Correctional Officer Compensation / Benefits and Pension Issues which covered retention. After the considerable number of the personnel-hours utilized on producing all of these Task Force Reports and dealing with the issues surrounding the increase of Officer Retention more effort needs to be placed in the implementation of these ideas.

Sincerely,

The Correctional Officer’s Association of Delaware

Monday, 01 August 2005