Delaware Jail Oversight Board Names Jeffrey Lange Interim Warden of George W. Hill Correctional Facility
Lange brings over 35 years of public safety experience, including four years in charge of Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office
Thornton, PA — The Delaware County Jail Oversight Board appointed Jeffrey Lange as the Interim Warden of George W. Hill Correctional Facility at their monthly meeting on Tuesday. Lange, who has over 35 years of experience in public safety, will be uniquely positioned to lead the facility, which the County assumed control of in 2022, ending decades of private mismanagement.
“I am honored to be entrusted with this crucial role and am excited to get to work to deliver for residents, employees, and incarcerated persons in Delaware County,” said Lange. “There is a serious responsibility that comes with this position, and I look forward to fulfilling that responsibility while continuing to make George W. Hill a model for correctional facilities across the region.”
Lange has served as the Administrator of the Delaware County Office of the Medical Examiner since 2022, where he has overseen a crucial medicolegal operation with a multimillion-dollar budget. In this position he has been responsible for investigations, operational leadership, regulatory compliance, strategic planning, and workforce management.
Before coming to Delaware County, Mr. Lange built a career in public safety spanning over 35 years. Since 1989, he has served in a variety of roles within corrections, fire services, and law enforcement, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to public service. At his most recent stop before becoming Medical Examiner, he served for nearly two years as the Chief Investigator for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services’ Special Commitment Center, a confinement center for the state’s most violent sexual predators. Before his time in the Pacific Northwest, he served as the Chief of Police in Wiscasset and Paris, Maine and as a detective in Columbus, Ohio. His career also includes three tours as a Law Enforcement Professional (LEP) with the U.S. Department of Defense in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2008 and 2013.
“I’m thrilled to have someone as accomplished and respected as Mr. Lange leading George W. Hill,” said Jail Oversight Board Chair and Delaware County Council member Joanne Phillips. “The decades and breadth of experience he brings, including the time he’s spent serving Delaware County residents in recent years, make him a great fit for the role.”
Mr. Lange holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia Southern University. He also holds several professional certifications, including Certified Public Manager (CPM), Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), and more. He is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Certificate in Emergency Management from Columbia Southern University.
“I am excited to work alongside Mr. Lange to ensure George W. Hill fulfills its mission to keep the public safe, maintain safety and security for employees who work there, and provide care for the people incarcerated there that enables them to successfully return to their communities,” said Delaware County Council Chair Richard Womack. “Ensuring the prison serves the public as well as possible remains a high priority for Council, and Interim Warden Lange is a critical partner in that mission.”
Delaware County would also like to thank former Warden Willie Bonds for his service to the County’s residents and wishes him well in his next chapter.
For more information about George W. Hill Correctional Facility, visit delcopa.gov/prison.