❌
☰

🏛 State Directory

Prisons and Jails in Delaware.

Delaware Department of Correction manages the Delaware state correctional system. Delaware DOC's inmate locator searches by SBI number or name. Like Connecticut, Delaware operates all correctional facilities statewide - there are no
Search a specific facility
6
State facilities
3
County jails
0
Federal facilities
5K+
State inmates

Delaware State Prisons

6 facilities

Delaware County Jails

3 facilities

Delaware Department of Corrections

Delaware DOC's inmate locator searches by SBI number or name. Like Connecticut, Delaware operates all correctional facilities statewide - there are no separate county jails. Delaware's system is one of the smallest in the country.

The official inmate search is available at doc.delaware.gov/inmate-locator. Delaware federal inmates are typically housed at FCI Cumberland (MD) or FCI Allenwood (PA).

Visitation in Delaware Facilities

Delaware DOC visitor applications are submitted online. Processing takes 2 - 3 weeks. Background checks required for adult visitors. Delaware's small system makes the approval process somewhat faster than larger states.

Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Delaware prison directory.

Sending Mail to Delaware Inmates

Delaware DOC mail requires the inmate's SBI number. Standard 4x6 photos accepted. Delaware's small size means most families are within 1 - 2 hours of any facility in the state.

InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Delaware facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.

Phone Calls from Delaware Facilities

Delaware is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. Securus Technologies holds the Delaware DOC contract.

Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our Delaware prison directory.

Sending Money to Delaware Inmates

Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Delaware:

  • JPay (primary for Delaware DOC)
  • Money orders mailed to facility
  • Kiosks at some facilities

See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.

Reentry Resources in Delaware

Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Delaware:

Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware Prisons

What is an SBI number in Delaware?

SBI stands for State Bureau of Identification - Delaware's unique inmate identification number assigned to every person who enters the Delaware DOC system. The SBI number is assigned at intake and remains associated with the individual through their entire time in the Delaware correctional system. It must appear on all mail sent to Delaware DOC facilities - without it, mail processing is delayed and items are frequently returned. Your inmate's SBI number appears in the Delaware DOC inmate locator at doc.delaware.gov, on all DOC paperwork and correspondence, and on court commitment documents. Keep it somewhere accessible - you'll need it for every piece of mail, every JPay deposit, and any time you contact DOC staff about your family member's status.

Does Delaware have county jails?

No - Delaware operates a unified correctional system through the Delaware Department of Correction, which manages all detention facilities in the state regardless of charge or sentence. There are no separate county or municipal jails - Delaware's three counties (New Castle, Kent, and Sussex) do not operate their own detention facilities. Whether someone is held pretrial, serving a misdemeanor sentence, or serving a long felony sentence, they are in a DOC facility under a single set of statewide policies. For families, this simplicity is a real advantage - one system to search, one set of rules to understand, one agency to contact. Delaware shares this unified model with Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Does Delaware have free prison phone calls?

No - Delaware has not eliminated phone call fees for state inmates. Securus Technologies holds the Delaware DOC contract. The FCC's April 2026 rate caps reduced per-minute rates at state and federal facilities, but calls in Delaware are still charged per minute. Delaware's small geographic size and relatively small prison population have not translated into lower phone costs historically - prison phone pricing is driven by carrier contracts, not state size. If phone costs are a barrier, written letters and JPay electronic messaging are the most cost-effective alternatives for maintaining meaningful regular contact with someone in a Delaware facility.

How far are Delaware's prisons from major cities?

All Delaware DOC facilities are within reasonable driving distance of each other and of the state's population centers - a genuine advantage for families. James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna is about 45 minutes south of Wilmington and 20 minutes north of Dover. Howard R. Young Correctional Institution is in Wilmington itself - very accessible for New Castle County families. Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown is in southern Delaware, about 90 minutes from Wilmington and 30 minutes from the beach resort areas. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution in New Castle is about 15 minutes south of Wilmington. No Delaware resident is more than about 90 minutes from any state prison - a significant advantage compared to large states where families sometimes drive 4 - 6 hours for a single visit.

What happened at James T. Vaughn in 2017?

In February 2017, a group of inmates at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna staged a takeover of Building C that lasted approximately 18 hours. Correctional Officer Lieutenant Steven Floyd was killed during the incident, and several other staff members were held hostage before being released as the standoff ended. Four inmates were ultimately convicted of murder. The incident drew national attention to conditions at Vaughn - reporting documented overcrowding, chronic understaffing, and what inmates described as inadequate programming and mental health services. Delaware DOC undertook operational reviews and reforms following the incident, and Vaughn has operated under increased external scrutiny since. The facility continues to operate as a maximum-security institution.

Can I visit someone at Howard R. Young in Wilmington?

Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, located in Wilmington's Gander Hill area, is a multi-custody facility housing both pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates. Its Wilmington location makes it the most accessible major correctional facility in Delaware for most families. All visitors must be pre-approved through the Delaware DOC visitor application process - do not arrive without confirmed written approval. Contact HRYCI at 302-573-0700 to request visitor applications and confirm current visiting hours, which can change. Dress code is enforced. Given the facility's urban location, rideshare services can reach it if you don't have a car. If you're looking for someone recently arrested in Wilmington or New Castle County who is awaiting trial, HRYCI or nearby facilities are the most likely locations.

View all questions ›