Delco's Private Jail May Soon Be Under County Control

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Control of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Delaware County will likely soon be turned over to the county following a vote by the Delaware County Jail Oversight Board Tuesday.

The board Tuesday voted 6 to 2 to recommend the county end its contract with the jail's current operator GEO Group.

Delaware County Commissioners will vote Oct. 6 on the termination with GEO. If approved by council, the jail will return to full County control by the spring of 2022.

GEO is being given 180 days' notice that the contract is ending.

According to the county, ending the contract could save up to $5.5 million annually.

In addition to saving taxpayer money, the move to make the jail public will also likely have a positive impact on inmates, the county said.

An analysis conducted by CGL Companies found it would be possible to both invest in better outcomes for current detainees, including drug and mental health treatment and life skill training, and reduce overall costs by, in part, removing the profit being paid to the private operator, GEO, as well as the profit motive itself.

As part of its resumption of operations, the county will integrate the prison with its other justice agencies so that investments can be made across agencies in technology, staff, treatment, mental health, and re-entry programs, rather than paying for corporate profits.

Another part of the analysis and review process led CGL and the Jail Oversight Board to find that despite paying higher overall costs than its neighboring counties, the county jail is experiencing
significant operational difficulties, including extended lockdowns and incidents of violence.

Under GEO’s management, the jail is dealing with major staffing shortages, with current staffing levels less than 80 percent of contract requirements. Part of the transition plan to county control includes paying jail workers more and ensuring a better working environment in order to attract additional staff and lessen costly employee turnover.

Should the council vote to terminate the agreement, GCL and Alta Management, which has served as GEO's representative, will help the county and jail leadership as they transition management of the facility back to the county. This will include identifying and developing management systems, capital improvements, transportation, personnel, re-entry, medical services, certification, and financial controls.