GEO reports prison C. O. died of COVID

A longtime corrections officer died Sunday afternoon from COVID19, according to a statement from the GEO Group Inc., the private, for- profit company managing the county’s prison.

“Unfortunately, we were recently notified that a correctional officer with more than 30 years of service at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility has passed away and we express our condolences to their family, friends and colleagues at the facility,” a statement from Geo reads.

Geo did not provide a name out of respect for the family, but other guards at the prison indicated the 35- year veteran was in his 70s. Another corrections officer has reportedly been hospitalized after testing positive for the virus.

“The devastating impacts of COVID- 19 have been realized across Delaware County communities, with some municipalities recording the highest rates of residents infected in the region,” Geo said. “The jail has not been immune to the surging cases, as many of our staff members and those in our care live in these communities.”

Geo reported eight coronavirus cases at the prison Nov. 20, all asymptomatic and under medical quarantine. As of Monday, that number had blossomed to 17 inmates, which Geo said were all asymptomatic.

“Since the very start of the pandemic, we have remained committed to implementing strict guidelines and safety measures that have allowed us to manage and mitigate the virus at every turn,” GEO said in the statement. “Sadly, this was the first loss of life experienced at the facility because of COVID- 19. We will continue to do everything we can to keep everyone in facility and those returning to the local community safe and healthy.”

One correctional officer said earlier this month that an inmate had presented at medical with a fever three times, but was sent back to his unit. That inmate later tested positive for coronavirus, the guard said, prompting anger from employees.

Internal emails obtained by the Daily Times also indicate one prisoner from the DUI block reported symptoms including loss of smell and taste on Nov. 17. He had a fever above 100 degrees and was returned to the block that same day, which was then put on lockdown. Block restrictions were lifted three days later when the inmate tested negative for coronavirus.

One officer said staffing at the prison continues to be a problem as guards receive constant text notifications that the facility is “critically” understaffed and offer overtime for guards to report to work.