WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Delaware Gov. John Carney has settled on two retired judges to lead an independent review of an uprising at a prison where four Department of Correction staffers were held hostage and one was killed.
Carney announced Tuesday that retired Delaware Supreme Court Justice Henry duPont Ridgely and retired Family Court Judge William Chapman Jr. will lead the review. It will begin after state police complete an investigation into Lt. Steven Floyd's death.
Carney calls the two judges "independent thinkers" who have the necessary legal backgrounds and analytical skills.
The reviewers will complete a preliminary report by June 1 with findings about what contributed to the hostage situation and make initial recommendations to improve security at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. A final report will be issued by Aug. 15.
Hit List
The union that represents officers at the Correctional Center said inmates had a hit list during the hostage crisis which resulted in the death of officer Steven Floyd.
WBOC reports that Bruce Rogers, the attorney for the union, said that during the negotiations the inmates said they wanted 17 specific officers removed from the prison or "else".
He added he did not believe that Floyd’s name was on the alleged list.
The television station said that the Delaware State Police declined to comment on the union’s claims and that there was no response from the Delaware Department of Correction.
Meanwhile, correctional officer union president Geoff Klopp said that he was concerned about the safety of officers, adding that many are ready to find other employment.
Governor Carney said that he was also concerned about the safety of officers as he announced the creation of the independent review.
