Update 8pm 4/13: Delaware County Councilman Kevin Madden has told us that GEO “reversed their decision and will be paying staff for time away due to being COVID positive. They now understand it's impossible to tell whether some contracted it at work or in the community.”
As of April 13th, we have heard that masks are being distributed to people incarcerated at George W. Hill Correctional Facility, as well as staff. However, guards at the prison spoke with the Delco Daily Times over the weekend and painted a grim picture, estimating that about 20 correctional officers and 25 prisoners have tested positive so far. Additionally, they assert that GEO Group has not been providing paid time off for employees who test positive for COVID-19 - unless they can prove that they contracted the virus at work. Our group has also heard from staff contacts that staff are expected to use vacation or sick days, and that staff who are not being paid are struggling to pay their rent. This is unconscionable and dangerous! Too many guards and staff members may be encouraged to work and carry the virus throughout the jail just to make ends meet.
We are encouraged by the steps taken by county leaders to reduce the population of residents at George W. Hill over the past several weeks. The Criminal Defense Bar has been working with the Delaware County Courts and the District Attorney’s office to identify incarcerated people who could safely be paroled early or released with a sentence of time served. As of March 27th, they:
worked to expedite plea bargains for almost 100 individuals to time served
expedited video conference hearings for more than 50 inmates incarcerated for violations of probation or parole
created an early parole program initiated by President Judge Kevin F. Kelly.
By late March the population at GWHCF had been reduced to 1,387 which is an historic low. This is a great win! There is still more work to be done to reduce the exposure of our fellow citizens to this virus, but we are grateful for the efforts made so far.
The prison has stopped in-person visitation to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 at George W. Hill. The residents can now make two free phone calls per week, but this is just not enough to help people stay in touch with the world beyond the prison walls. We encourage you to contribute to our Writing Behind Bars greeting card collection drive to help people connect with their loved ones during this difficult time.