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Vaughn Prison Report: Understaffing & Inmate Uncertainty

Department of Correction

DOVER, Del. (AP) - An independent review ordered by Delaware's governor after a deadly inmate riot describes the state's maximum-security prison as dangerously overcrowded, critically understaffed, and poorly run and managed.

A preliminary report from the review ordered by Democratic Gov. John Carney says prison workers consider communication to be the No. 1 problem at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.

The report released Friday portrays stressed-out correctional officers as not knowing what is expected of them, a disconnect between shift supervisors and upper management, and confusion and anxiety among inmates who don't know how they will be treated because of inconsistent rules and policies.

Carney ordered the review after inmates took four prison workers hostage in February, setting off a nearly 20-hour standoff during which correctional officer Steven Floyd was killed.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.