Many thanks to everyone who has continued to put pressure on the County Jail Oversight Board (CJOB) and Delaware County Council to deprivatize George W. Hill Correctional Facility! At the September CJOB meeting, Delaware County Executive Director Howard Lazarus said “that he intends to begin by seeking a ‘transition manager’ and transition team that can assist the county with the process, as well as fleshing out the costs associated with such a move that can be included in the 2021 budget.” The Delco Daily Times has a full report that you can read on their website.
The county will conduct a cost estimate to get a full picture of what privatization entails before putting the full transition process in motion.
Staff at the prison have detailed numerous issues over the past several months, including consistent understaffing that they say creates a dangerous work environment. The prison is currently staffed at 92% and GEO Group, which manages GWHCF, will pay the county a penalty of $99,992.64 for the staffing shortfall in August.