George Hill Correctional in Thornton, PA is a county detention facility operated by the Delaware County Sheriff's Office. Most people here are awaiting trial or sentencing - this is not a prison, and most stays are measured in days or months, not years. If someone you care about was just booked here, you have questions. Start with the one that matters most right now.
If you are not certain they are there, the fastest way to confirm is the Delaware County inmate search or InmateAid's inmate locator, which searches across Pennsylvania facilities by name.
Booking takes time - sometimes several hours after arrest. If the search comes back empty, wait a few hours and try again before assuming they have been transferred somewhere else. You can also pull their arrest record and booking details to confirm the charges and facility assignment. For the most direct answer, call George Hill Correctional at 610-361-3200.
Most people booked at George Hill Correctional appear before a judge within 24 to 48 hours. At that first appearance the judge sets the bail amount - or denies bail - based on the charges, the person's history, and whether they are considered a flight risk.
If bail is set, your family member can be released by paying the full amount or by using a bail bondsman, who typically charges 10 percent of the total as a non-refundable fee. If bail is denied or the amount is unaffordable, they remain at George Hill Correctional until the case resolves. InmateAid's bail and bond guide walks through every option including what to do if you cannot afford a bondsman.
Right after arrest, your family member goes through intake at George Hill Correctional - identity verification, medical screening, property inventory, and classification. Classification places them in a housing unit based on the charges, prior record, and intake behavior. It is not a punishment. It is how the facility manages a population that ranges from people picked up on minor warrants to individuals facing serious charges.
For the first 24 to 48 hours, phone access and visitation are typically unavailable while booking completes. Once they are assigned to a housing unit, those channels open up. InmateAid's what happens in jail guide covers the full intake process step by step so you know what to expect.
Your family member calls you - you cannot call them. Calls from George Hill Correctional go through Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork and all calls are recorded except attorney calls. Set up a Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork account before the first call so the connection goes through without delay.
Phone contact is more important than most people realize going into this. A regular call - even a short one - makes a measurable difference in how someone holds up inside. Do not let the setup friction stop you. Visit InmateAid's jail calls page for step-by-step account setup, current rate information, and tips for keeping funds available.
Visitation hours at George Hill Correctional are set by the facility and can change without much notice. Before making the trip, call 610-361-3200 to confirm current hours, any advance registration requirements, and what you are allowed to bring.
The most common mistake families make is showing up without confirming first - and that results in a wasted trip and a missed visit for your family member. General rules across most Pennsylvania county jails: dress conservatively, avoid colors that resemble inmate uniforms, leave your phone in your car, and bring valid government-issued ID. Children may be permitted with specific requirements depending on the facility. InmateAid's visitation guide has a full checklist you can run through before you go.
The George W. Hill Correctional Facility offers both in-person and virtual visitation for inmates, with visits scheduled based on housing assignments. In-person visits are available Monday through Friday from 8:45 AM to 10:00 PM, while virtual visitation is offered during the same days from 9:00 AM to 9:55 PM. Each inmate is allowed one visit per week, which can either be an in-person or a video visit.
In-Person Visitation:
Before scheduling a visit, the incarcerated individual must submit a visitor’s list to their Case Manager for approval. Once approved, the visitor will need to begin the online registration process by visiting https://delawarecountypa.gtlvisitme.com/app, where they can create a username, provide visitor information, and await confirmation via email. Upon receiving approval, visitors can log back into the website to select an available time slot for their visit.
- Driver Requirements: All visitors driving onto the facility grounds must have a valid driver’s license and updated vehicle insurance. Ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft are not permitted on the property.
- Visitor Limits: Each inmate may receive up to three visitors per visit, including minors. Visitors under the age of 18 are not required to register but must be accompanied by an adult, and minors count as one of the three visitors.
- ID and Registration: Visitors must provide one of several forms of valid identification, such as a driver’s license, military ID, passport, or a government-issued photo ID. If there are any unusual ID situations, they must be referred to the Shift Commander for resolution.
Dress Code:
All visitors must adhere to the facility’s strict dress code, which is available online at Visitation Dress Code PDF. The dress code includes prohibitions on see-through clothing, mini-skirts, sleeveless shirts, and other inappropriate attire. Visitors wearing religious veils or other clothing that obstructs the view of their face will follow a specific process for identification. This process includes removing the face-covering in a private area, conducted by a female correctional officer, to verify identity, and then restoring the face-covering before proceeding.
Visitor Processing:
All visitors must identify themselves and register upon entry into the facility. Processing includes security screenings, and any attempts to introduce contraband, such as cell phones or narcotics, will result in restrictions, including an indefinite ban from the facility. Physical contact between visitors and inmates is strictly prohibited, and any contact will result in the termination of the visit.
Visitors are expected to behave appropriately during visits. Disruptive behavior or violations of the facility’s rules can result in removal from the premises and the possibility of future visitation being restricted. Visitors are not allowed to switch seats or visit multiple inmates during the same visit without proper authorization.
Virtual Visitation:
For those who prefer remote visits, virtual video visitation is available and follows a similar approval process as in-person visitation. Visitors must register and schedule video visits via the same online platform: https://delawarecountypa.gtlvisitme.com/app. Virtual visits are available Monday through Friday, based on housing assignments.
Both in-person and virtual visits must be scheduled in advance, and inmates are responsible for informing their visitors about the facility's rules and the process for scheduling a visit. All visits, whether in-person or virtual, are monitored to ensure compliance with facility regulations.
Please click to view the video visitation schedule (blue column): George W. Hill Correctional Facility Visitation Schedule
Please note the following
Please click on the link for Visitor Dress Code: Visitation Dress Code for Visitors
The George W. Hill Correctional Facility also offers video visitation, with scheduling required at least 2 days in advance but no more than 7 days before the visit. Visitors must conduct these visits from a remote location and must be on the inmate's authorized visiting list. The dress code for video visits is the same as for in-person visits, and all visits are recorded. Any inappropriate behavior or dress during the video visit will result in the immediate termination of the session, with the possibility of future visits being suspended. Each inmate is permitted one visit per week, whether via video or in person. For further details on the dress code, visitors can refer to the provided Visitation Dress Code PDF.
Money on the books - also called the commissary or trust account - gives your family member access to hygiene items, snacks, phone time, and postage. It is one of the most practical things you can do and it has a direct effect on their daily comfort.
George Hill Correctional accepts deposits through approved channels that typically include online deposit, phone deposit, or a kiosk at the facility. Use your family member's full legal name and booking number exactly as they appear in the jail's system - any error in the name or number will delay or reject the deposit. InmateAid's send money page lists the specific deposit methods accepted at George Hill Correctional and walks through the process.
A letter or a printed photo costs almost nothing to send and means far more than most people outside appreciate. George Hill Correctional accepts incoming mail addressed to your family member at 500 Cheyney Rd. Put their full legal name and booking number on every piece of mail.
Standard rules at most Pennsylvania county jails: plain white paper only, no staples, no glitter, no stickers, no colored ink. Photos should be standard print size with nothing written on the back. Mail that does not meet the facility's standards will be rejected - and the facility may not notify you that it was. Keep it simple.
InmateAid's send mail service lets you write and send directly from your phone or computer. We print on approved stock and mail it for you, so rejection for formatting is not a risk.
Books and magazines must come new, ordered directly from the publisher or through an online retailer - not shipped from your home address. Facilities require this to prevent contraband. Order through Amazon or directly from the publisher. Anything shipped from a personal address will be turned away.
County jail procedures, visitation rules, phone rates, inmate search tools, bail processes, and what happens at release all vary by state. Pennsylvania has its own rules and its own agencies, and what applies in one state does not always apply here.
InmateAid's Pennsylvania prison resources hub covers all of it - written specifically for families navigating the Pennsylvania system. Start there when you need answers that go beyond what this facility page covers.
County jail time is hard in a way that is different from anything else. The uncertainty - not knowing how long, not knowing what comes next - wears on everyone. What you can control is the connection. Calls, letters, visits, money on the books. Every one of those things tells your family member that someone out here is paying attention and is not going anywhere.
InmateAid was built for exactly this. Use us.