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Advocates tell Newark council Delaney Hall detainees face poor conditions; callers press for oversight
Summary
Speakers at public comment alleged poor conditions for detainees at Delaney Hall — run by GEO Group — and urged council oversight; other commenters raised concerns about city lot sales and unpermitted building conversions.
During the 30‑minute public comment period at the Nov. 25 pre-meeting, multiple speakers raised concerns about detention‑facility conditions and local housing practices.
Terry Seuss of Eyes on Ice New Jersey urged the council to investigate Delaney Hall at 451 De Ramos Avenue, run by GEO Group, alleging inadequate oversight and poor conditions for detainees. "That place is run by GEO Group... that is making $60,000,000 a year off of this contract, and there is no oversight," Seuss said, alleging extreme temperature swings, nosebleeds and inadequate medical care.
Deborah Salters addressed redevelopment and lot-sale pricing, citing a lot at 818 South 15th Street listed for $29,000 and arguing the surrounding area is not blighted. She urged the council not to effectively give away property that later draws tax abatements and profits for outside developers.
Another resident described the unpermitted conversion of a burned restaurant into occupied units and said there were no building permits or plans on file; the speaker asked the council to identify ownership of the LLC on record and to consider criminal charges for the unpermitted work.
Business owner Mike Charity offered a civic-communication platform to help residents and council offices share notices, forms and documents and provided materials for council review.
The council chair asked commenters to submit written materials and clerk records were requested; members agreed to pursue follow-up meetings with relevant department heads (for example, the housing authority director regarding senior-housing conditions raised from site visits).
