At a special meeting on September 28, 2021, the Delaware County Jail Oversight Board voted 6-2 to recommend ending the contract with GEO Group to manage George W. Hill Correctional Facility. Delaware County Council will make the final decision to exercise the clause in the contract that allows them to give GEO 180 days notice of termination. If approved by council members at their next meeting on October 6th, the prison will return to county control in 6 months.
The unelected Delaware County Board of Prison Inspectors approved the new five-year, $264 million contract with GEO Corrections and Detention, LLC back in December 2018. The following year, County Council voted to dissolve the Board of Prison Inspectors and replace it with the new County Jail Oversight Board comprised of stakeholders including local elected officials as well as three citizens. During this time, DelcoCPR actively worked to bring attention to the inhumane conditions at George W. Hill Correctional Facility, the severe staff shortages, and the mismanagement by GEO. We are extremely grateful for the support and dedication of our members who have helped bring about this transition back to public control!
Watch the CJOB Meeting and Pivotal Vote
Read more from The Philadelphia Inquirer about the special County Jail Oversight Board meeting and vote to deprivatize.