James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA – A former Delaware County Prison inmate says the door to his cell wouldn’t lock and blames the county for the beating he took because of it.
Patrick Green sued the county and several individuals last week in Philadelphia court over his time in the George Hill Correctional Facility, which included a cell door that could be opened from the inside even when it was locked.
He says he noticed over a period of several weeks that the door would be locked when he left his cell, but he would return to find it unlocked and his personal items missing. This caused him to feel unsafe, and he told “almost every correctional officer” about his worries.
He also says he filed at least five grievances, but nothing was done. Promises to fix the door weren’t fulfilled, he said.
“On Feb. 18, 2024, Plaintiff’s fears for his safety manifested because several inmates broke into his cell as he was sleeping and attacked him,” the suit says.
“These unknown inmates attacked and punched Plaintiff. He was stabbed in his face and his left eye.”
Even before the assault, Green said he was caused anxiety by the broken door, claiming he lost sleep and his appetite. Currently, he suffers pain in his damaged left eye, the suit says, and lives with a fear of being attacked.
Though there was an intervening criminal act by third parties, Delaware County should face liability, he says, because the prison knew of locking problems on doors from a previous incident.
Lamar Marshall had a similar history of complaining about his door that culminated in a lawsuit alleging cruel and unusual punishment from his 15 days worried about an attack in his cell. That case was settled in 2023.
Brock Atkins and Prince Holloway of Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Law represent Green.
