Ex George Hill Correctional Facility Workers Sue Delaware County

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Thirteen former employees at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Delaware County are suing the county, the facility, and the county's Jail Oversight Board.

Plaintiffs in the suit are Frank Kwaning, Ashhley Gwaku, Kenneth Demonfonte, Najah Branham, Ian Lofton, Morris Maanneh, Abdoul Diallo, Dejah Henry, Malverna Hymann, Komla Amouzou, Francisca Veney, Nathaniel Savage and Charles Sevor.

They filed a civil suit against the county itself, the prison, the oversight board, and Councilman and Chair of the Jail Oversight Board Kevin Madden; George W. Hill Correctional Facility Warden Laura Williams; Hill's Human Resources Manager Cheyenne Marquette; and the prison's lieutenant Sean Gallagher.

The plaintiffs allege they were fired from their positions when the county assumed control of the facility, ending its for-profit status, in 2022. It was formerly operated by the GEO Group.

Gallagher had a "hit list" of workers to be fired without due process, including Gwaku and Kwaning, the suit alleges. Kwaning and Gwaku served as president and vice president of the Delaware County Prison Employees Independent Union.

The suit also alleges due to Kwaning and Gwaku being banned from the prison's premises, their First Amendment rights were infringed.

Additionally, Williams "systematically targeted roughly sixty-eight individuals who they terminated absent any notice, hearing, charge, or due process whatsoever," the suit claims.

All those workers were in good standing, according to the suit.

It alleges Madden, the Jail Oversight Board, the prison, and the Delaware County failed to institute policies protecting the workers and their rights.

The county is also accused of failing to effectively transition control of the prison from the GEO Group to itself.

The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial in this case, as well as payment for punitive damages, equitable damages, liquidated damages, statutory damages, and attorney’s fees.