Reid Beveridge’s column on the death of correctional officer Steven Floyd is compelling as well as disturbing in nature. As a Delaware native, I believe it is a safe assumption that before this incident there was little thought of corrections reform within our state. This horrific incident has shed light on major issues surrounding our prisons which are an absolutely crucial and often overlooked part of our criminal justice system.
It was very interesting how Beveridge frames this article in a way to galvanize the general public, as well as making a strong case that the state needs to step up to help our prisons now. One major piece to helping our prisons in Delaware and elsewhere is media exposure on the issue. It is sad to think that if this incident had not happened state leaders would most likely still be ignoring continued pleas for additional prison staffing. One major reason for this is that before this incident, Delaware’s prison system had absolutely no media exposure.
It is very easy to forget how much influence the media can bring to bear regarding issues like this. Steven Floyd’s death has projected corrections reform into the spotlight and this will no doubt place pressure on state officials to resolve this issue. It is now up to the citizens to keep pressure on our elected officials so that measures can be taken so that this does not happen again.
Luke Justice
Lewes
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