Just in the past week, the ball started rolling on big changes in Delco that will make a meaningful impact on prison reform in the county and our goal to deprivatize Delco's prison:
The three newest members of Delaware County Council elected on November 5th 2019 all voiced their support for deprivatization of George W. Hill at our candidate forum last spring. Learn more about why we endorsed these candidates for council.
Jack Stollsteimer, one of the founding members of DelcoCPR, is the new Delaware County District Attorney. We supported Jack in this race due to his integrity and unwavering commitment to deprivatization as well as other criminal justice reforms.
The Philadelphia Inquirer released a stunning report that detailed allegations of racism and abuse of power by John Reilly, Jr., the Superintendent of George W. Hill Correctional Facility. Reilly has now announced that he will retire, effective Nov. 27th. WHYY has a good overview of the investigation as well as comments from local leaders:
“The superintendent of Delaware County’s prison used racist language, hired unqualified deputies and controlled private bank accounts he didn’t disclose to the county… The county’s Republican-appointed Board of Prison Inspectors was supposed to oversee Reilly, but the investigation found that, in many cases, the board kept Reilly’s conduct a secret.
‘It’s sort of symbolic of what’s gone on in Delaware County government for years,’ said Brian Zidek.”
County Executive Director Marianne Grace and Delaware County Council will select the three citizen members of the new County Jail Oversight Board at the upcoming November 27th Delaware County Council Meeting.