Delaware County Council Makes It Official: Prison Will No Longer Be Private

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The George C. Hill Correctional Facility under the GEO Group.
Image via geogroup.com

Delaware County Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to de-privatize the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, and end its contract with GEO Group, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.

The for-profit company has been running the prison in Thornbury since 1998. The vote to de-privatize comes following a recommendation from the Delaware County Prison Oversight Board.

The vote gives GEO Group 180 days’ notice of termination as county government transitions to running the prison.

It authorizes $500,000 for the prison’s FY2021 operating budget to cover the transfer from private to public control.

“With this move, we are going to be able to provide better outcomes, more coordinated services for individuals in our county, and we are going to be able to reduce recidivism,” said Monica Taylor, the County Council’s vice chair.

Full public prison management will take time. A takeover of the prison’s food, medical, commissary and maintenance services will happen more quickly.

A spokesperson for GEO Group acknowledged the county’s right to terminate the contract.

“As government service providers, we continuously maintain the highest standards and look forward to working cooperatively with the county and its consultants to realize a smooth, seamless, and safe transition,” the spokesperson said.

Read more at WHYY about the county council vote.

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