Get the real facts on Delaware County’s prison

Recently, the Delaware County Daily Times published a story featuring the programs we offer at the George W. Hill facility and the people who benefit from them. Upper Darby resident Michael DiMaio shared his life experiences with a group of inmates enrolled in the PREP substance abuse treatment program offered at the facility. He talked about his decades’ long efforts to defeat drug and alcohol addiction and the persistent arrests and incarcerations that resulted from his struggles. As explained in the story, these programs are among the dozens of wellness programs offered at the facility to help individuals improve their lives and reduce their chances of reoffending.

It may have come as a surprise to the Times’ readership to learn these positive stories originate from the same facility that many criticize without knowing all the facts.

There has been a great deal of recent media coverage focusing on correctional management services contractors. Much of the focus has centered on the perceived belief that companies contracted by governments to operate correctional facilities have a vested interest in keeping as many inmates incarcerated for as long as possible. This, quite simply, couldn’t be more false.

First, as a matter of longstanding policy, The GEO Group and other correctional services contractors do not advocate or lobby for or against policies that determine what behaviors are criminalized, or the punishments that accompany those behaviors. We are a subcontractor that provides solutions to the county pursuant to strict contractual requirements and with stringent accountability and oversight. We provide significant savings for taxpayers – not by cutting corners, but by leveraging our expertise in correctional management to offer proven, data-driven best practices and we deliver superior results. The resulting cost savings enables the county to invest valuable taxpayer dollars in other local priorities.

Furthermore, the forprofit nature of our company doesn’t change what we believe, which is that we are most effective and at our best when those entrusted to our care reenter society as productive and employable citizens. To that end, we offer numerous evidence-based programs at George W. Hill designed to assist individuals with overcoming addictions, obtain GEDs and learn valuable vocational skills with an emphasis on securing gainful employment. The simplistic view that we put profits over people fails to recognize our commitment and expertise in delivering quality programming that improves the lives of those individuals entrusted to our care.

Criminal justice policy is a complex issue that is fraught with emotion, particularly for those who are directly affected, but we firmly believe that we are part of the solution, not part of the problem. We are proud of the work our professional staff carries out daily at G.W. Hill, and we welcome any and all opportunities to engage in an honest, factbased discussion about our services.

We would invite your readership to learn more about the work we do on behalf of Delaware County by visiting www. delcoprisonfacts.com.

“We provide significant savings for taxpayers – not by cutting corners, but by leveraging our expertise in correctional management” — David Byrne, warden