Delaware Council Votes To De-Privatize Hill Correctional Facility

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — On Tuesday, the Delaware County Council voted unanimously to end private management of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Lima.

GEO Group, which operates the jail, will be given a 180-day notice that the county is ending its contract. According to a news release, the jail is expected to return to full county control by spring 2022.

The Hill Correctional Facility is currently the only privately-managed jail in Pennsylvania, according to the news release from County Council.

This decision comes after a months-long study and review, as well as public input. The Delaware County Jail Oversight Board also voted 6-2 to end private management during its September 28 meeting.

"It is for the health, safety, and vibrancy of our entire community that we must ensure that those dealing with addiction and mental health disorders get the treatment that they need, and that we bring all stakeholders together to reduce recidivism in our jail system.," said Councilman Kevin Madden, who chairs the Jail Oversight Board and led the county review process. "Those goals are in direct conflict with the motives of a for-profit prison operator, whose business model is predicated on keeping jail cells full."