Delaware prison visitation rules, facility-by-facility schedules, and dress code

DELAWARE BAIL NOTE

Delaware uses a PR (personal recognizance) bond system rather than commercial bail bonds.

bail_banned = true for all Delaware counties.

No bail bonds block on any Delaware facility page.

INTRO

Delaware is one of the smallest states in the country - three counties, six correctional facilities - and its visitation system reflects that scale. Rules and schedules are set at the facility level, not through a statewide uniform system. Every visit must be scheduled in advance by phone. No walk-ups. The phone scheduling windows are narrow and the call windows change by facility - miss the window and you are waiting another week.

Delaware's DOC recently expanded in-person visitation to two adults and two children per inmate visit. The dress code has one prohibition you will not find in most other states: no Crocs and no hoodies - explicitly listed alongside open-toe shoes on every Delaware facility's rules page.

Delaware does not use commercial bail bonds. The state operates on a personal recognizance (PR) bond system.

VISITOR APPLICATION - DELAWARE'S APPROACH

Unlike Florida's DC6-111A or Alabama's Form 303-A, Delaware's visitor application process varies slightly by facility but follows a general pattern: visitors are subject to a background check before being permitted to visit Level 5 (maximum security) facilities. The background check policy is published explicitly at HRYCI:

Felony convictions within 10 years of the date of release from incarceration may result in denial.

Probation within 5 years of completion of probation may result in denial.

These are time-limited bars - not permanent - which is more permissive than Alabama's warden-approval requirement but more structured than Connecticut's individual review. If you have a prior conviction or were recently on probation, count backward from your release or completion date before attempting to visit a Level 5 facility.

Contact each facility directly for their specific visitor approval requirements. All facilities require photo identification for every visit.

SCHEDULING - PHONE ONLY, ONE WEEK AHEAD

Delaware has no online scheduling portal for in-person visits. All in-person visits must be scheduled by phone during specific windows. Missing the window means waiting another week. The schedule windows vary by facility:

JAMES T. VAUGHN CORRECTIONAL CENTER (JTVCC) - Smyrna, Kent County:

Phone scheduling: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (excluding state holidays)

In-state numbers: 1-800-282-8602 (last names A through J) / 1-800-722-0252 (last names K through Z)

Out of state: (302) 653-4828

Timing: Call the week prior to schedule visits for the following Monday through Sunday

Arrival: Must be at the facility a minimum of 30 minutes before the scheduled visit start time - arrive late and you are denied

HOWARD R. YOUNG CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (HRYCI) - Wilmington, New Castle County:

Phone scheduling: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM at (302) 575-0330

Timing: Call one week in advance

Visits cannot be changed, cancelled, or confirmed after scheduling - verify your day and time before ending the call

Arrival: 15 minutes before the start of the visit

Hourly slots: 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM (Mon-Sun)

Visits: 1 hour

BAYLOR WOMEN'S CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (BWCI) - New Castle County:

Phone scheduling: Mon-Wed 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at (302) 577-5837

Timing: Visits scheduled for the following week (Mon-Sun)

Schedule structure (effective May 1, 2023):

Units 5,6,7,8 & 9 (Sun-Tue): 8:30-9:30 AM / 10:30-11:30 AM / 12:30-1:30 PM / 2:30-3:30 PM

Units 3 & 4 (Thu-Sat): same time slots

Video visits: GettingOut app - one video visit in addition to face-to-face each week, 15 or 30 minute increments

Visits: Up to 1 hour

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

SUSSEX CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (SCI) - Georgetown, Sussex County:

Phone scheduling: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at (302) 856-5545

Contact SCI directly for current visiting days and hours

THE 100-MILE RULE (HRYCI)

Anyone traveling 100 miles or more to visit an HRYCI inmate may request a two-hour visit once per month. This request must be made in writing - contact HRYCI's visitation scheduling desk. This is one of the more family-accessible provisions in the directory for out-of-state visitors and is documented on the official DOC page.

VISITOR LIMITS - 2 ADULTS + 2 CHILDREN

Delaware expanded in-person visitation to two adults and two children per inmate visit - effective immediately per DOC press release.

At JTVCC specifically: 2 adults / 2 children aged 5 and under per visit. The quantity and length of visits at JTVCC is also dependent on the inmate's quality-of-life level - inmates at higher behavioral levels may receive more or longer visits.

Only one inmate may be visited at a time. Cross-conversations with other inmates or visitors are not permitted.

DRESS CODE - NO CROCS, NO HOODIES

Delaware's dress code is consistent across all facilities and matches the language published on the official DOC page at doc.delaware.gov. The specific item combination you will not find in most other states: no open-toe shoes, no open-heeled shoes, no Crocs, and no hoodies - all explicitly listed.

What you cannot wear:

- Bathing suits or body suits of any kind

- Strapless, low-cut, or revealing tops

- Sleeveless shirts, tank tops, or tube tops

- Any clothing not adhering to normal standards of decency

- Dresses, skirts, culottes, or walking shorts shorter than 2 inches above the knee - measured from the bend in the back of the knee with the waistband in the normal position

- Spandex pants, shorts, or leggings worn alone (leggings may be worn under a skirt)

- See-through or sheer material of any kind

- Open-toe shoes

- Open-heeled shoes

- Crocs

- Hoodies of any kind

At JTVCC specifically: attire should be "conservative and well groomed." This is slightly stricter language than BWCI and HRYCI which use "in good taste and grooming."

What to bring: car keys and photo identification only. JTVCC allows money orders or cashier's checks for deposit, and infant items (one plastic baby bottle, one diaper, one small blanket, two disposable wipes). HRYCI allows $5.00 in currency for vending.

The dress code applies equally to in-person and video visits.

Once a visit is denied for a clothing infraction at HRYCI, the visit is cancelled for that day - you cannot return to your car, change clothing, and come back.

ID REQUIREMENTS

Photo identification required for all visitors at every visit. Driver's license, state ID, military ID, or passport. At HRYCI, children ages 14 to 18 must also have picture identification (driver's license, state-issued ID, school ID, or passport) - must have a current picture, date of birth, and full name. For visitors under 16, any picture ID is acceptable at BWCI.

MINOR VISITOR RULES

Children under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian or a person over 18. At HRYCI, legal guardian or person over 18 required. At BWCI, "any child under the age of 18 will be accompanied by an adult."

Children must remain under adult supervision at all times. The visiting areas are shared spaces and children's behavior is the adult visitor's responsibility.

CONDUCT DURING THE VISIT

Do not exchange any items with the inmate or other visitors during the visit. Cards, letters, and all other items must be sent through the mail. Talking to any inmate through institution windows, fences, or in any area other than the assigned visiting room is strictly prohibited - visitors must go directly to and from the visiting room.

Keep conversations in a low tone. Loud conversations, foul language, arguments, or fighting result in cancellation of the visit and disciplinary action. Smoking is not permitted inside the facility or on any state property. Visitors who are intoxicated, fail to obey staff directions, or misbehave will be turned away.

All visitors are subject to metal detector searches at every visit. Security staff may request a more intensive physical search when deemed necessary. Refusing a search means denial of entry and removal from the property.

VIDEO VISITATION - GETTINGOUT APP

Delaware uses the GettingOut app (viapath.com / gettingout.com) for video visitation.

Registration: Create an account at gettingout.com. Select the Delaware facility.

Scheduling: Through the GettingOut app or website.

Frequency: Most inmates may have one video visit in addition to a face-to-face visit each week.

Length: 15 or 30-minute increments.

Cost: Varies by session length - verify current rates at gettingout.com.

Recording: Recording of video visits is strictly prohibited. Violating this results in suspension or revocation of visiting privileges.

Dress code: Same dress code as in-person visits applies to video visits.

FEDERAL BOP FACILITIES IN DELAWARE

Federal inmates in Delaware fall under BOP Residential Reentry Management Baltimore. Federal prisons operate under BOP Program Statement 5267.09 with their own visitor approval process. No time-limited felony bar equivalent to HRYCI's 10-year rule.

There are no major federal BOP prisons located within Delaware - federal defendants from Delaware are typically housed at facilities in Pennsylvania or Maryland. Pull current federal facility assignments from bop.gov/inmateloc/ or contact the U.S. Probation Office for the District of Delaware.

REENTRY CONNECTION

Delaware has the Plummer Community Corrections Center (federal RRC, Manchester, NH-based CRJ, 45 beds) and the Morris Community Corrections Center. See our Delaware halfway houses page at inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/delaware/ for reentry housing resources including the Grace Peterson Act (SB 292, May 2026).