Find Delaware Inmate Records

Arrested persons in Delaware face likely incarceration. Persons serving jail sentences by the court also face the same. For accountability, a lot of documentation goes on in the process. A compilation of these documents makes up an inmate record. Prisons and jails across the state of Delaware maintain inmate records. While prisons hold convicted persons, jails house inmates awaiting trial or serving sentences for less than one year. The State of Delaware runs a unified system of correctional institutions. The state further stratifies the system into five branches:

• Office of the Commissioner
• Bureau of administrative services
• Bureau of Prisons
• Bureau of Correctional Healthcare Services
• Bureau of Community Corrections

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Delaware?

Delaware Public Records Law allows only citizens of the public to view or copy inmate records to the extent of what the law defines as public information. The Delaware Department of Corrections considers some inmate information unavailable unless by court order or a release by the inmate’s attorney. Inmates currently incarcerated cannot access personal records.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching simpler, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for a specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are independent from government sources, and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

What Information is Contained in a Delaware Inmate Record?

Except for the address of the facility housing an inmate, the type of information in an inmate record is essentially the same:

• Date of birth
• Physical descriptors like the height, color of eyes and hair and skin, gender, etc
• An outline of the charges and the sentence served to the inmate
• Length of sentence
• Likely time of release or parole, if any
• The location and status of the inmate

Where Do I Look up an Inmate in Delaware?

The amount of information available to the inquirer and the convenience of options will largely determine how to lookup an inmate in the state. If the housing facility is known, go directly to the address to make inquiries. Parties should have general identifying information that includes the inmate ID. Note that only citizens may access inmate information at any level with minimum restriction. Contacting the Department of Corrections is possible by calling (302) 739–5601 or (302) 857–5221. Otherwise, visit the ground address:

245 McKee Road
Dover, DE 19904

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Delaware?

Individuals should prepare the following information for a successful search outcome:

• The full names of the inmate and aliases, if any;
• Date of birth;
• The name of the facility the inmate is currently serving a term or in custody;
• A court order or inmate attorney authorization for confidential information;
• A valid citizen ID;

Non-citizens will need an executive order permitting eligibility. Getting physical copies is subject to the terms and conditions of the public records request policy. Fill out the Freedom of Information Act form online and submit by email. Otherwise, download, complete, and fill out the PDF version. Send the form through mail to:

Department of Corrections
Tim Martin, Legal Services Administrator
245 McKee Road
Dover, DE 19904

Or submit in-person to:

DOC Administration Building
Tim Martin, Legal Services Administrator
245 McKee Road
Dover, DE 19904

To access the database online, visit the state website, and click on the Inmate Locator Tab. It opens up to a government-approved third party link that redirects searches to the specified facility’s local online database. Proceed with the instructions on the home site.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Delaware?

Apart from the cost of logistics and internet or electronic charges, requests to view an inmate record are usually free. Requests for copies may attract some fee payment depending on the type of document, number of pages, and the labor involved to process the document.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Delaware

The state may move inmate records to the Delaware Public Archives. Check with the local incarceration facility first before proceeding to the Archives agency. Requests for records at the Public archives require some information that only the primary data manager can provide:

• Type of Record
• County
• Name of the individual named in the record
• Date of record
• Volume
• Page number

Requests attract processing fees depending on the volume and format. Use the fee schedule to decide the preferred options.

How Do I Find Inmate Death Records in Delaware?

There are no records of executed inmates since August 2, 2016 in Delaware. The State DOC has a page of death row executions that happened earlier. It states the name of the individual, age, race, gender, offense, and execution method. Inmates who die in custody due to other reasons have their records filed with the Office of Vital Statistics’ death registry. However, the death of an inmate is public information unless otherwise indicated.

How Do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

Federal prisons have a centralized supervision system that places inmate information in these prisons in one mega database. Go to the Bureau of Prisons website. Use the Inmate Locator Tab to search for the relevant inmate. Use the name or number to search. Inmate ID numbers in federal prisons have any one of these prefixes:

• BOP –Bureau of Prisons
• DCDC- DC Department of Corrections
• FBI- Federal Bureau of Investigation
• INS- Immigration and Naturalization Service

Persons with an inmate ID number have the advantage of getting more accurate results when searching the database. No two persons have the same ID, but persons can share names.

How Long Does it Take for an Inmate’s Information to Be Published in Delaware?

The paperwork involved in an arrest is basic and just sufficient to remand the individual in custody. When it comes to admitting a sentenced convict into imprisonment, it is an elaborate process. There are preliminary processes. They include orientation exercises for the individual, mental assessment, health evaluations, and assignment of custody level. There are five supervision levels of persons in custody, based on the sentence handed to the inmate.