The Delaware State Prison System

The Delaware prison system has four adult correctional facilities and thirteen community correction centers, all administered by the Delaware Department of Corrections. The department classifies its prisons into five security levels for proper supervision, with inmates ranging from 4,500 to 5,000 and approximately 13,000 probationers in the community.

Certain bureaus and divisions under the Department of Corrections are responsible for the prison system's administration and operations regarding the state's criminal procedure. Each bureau has set roles in rehabilitating and reintegrating inmates back into the community. The Bureau of Administrative Services supports other divisions and consists of units like the central business office, central offender records, recruitment, and human resources.

For corrections, the Bureau of Community Corrections handles all sorts of supervision during detention and after reintegration into the community. Other divisions that make up the Department of Corrections are the Bureau of Healthcare and the Bureau of Prisons.

What  Is The Difference Between Jail and Prison in Delaware?

In the Delaware penal system, jails and prisons play different roles. The local counties in the state operate jails, and incarceration in jail is for a short period. The Sheriff’s department oversees the affairs in the jail. For prisons, the state has jurisdiction, and detention is upon conviction. Before serving in prison, offenders should have gone through trial and been sentenced by a court of law.

Also, jails in the state are architecturally designed to detain a small number of people with minimal security and welfare provisions. Unlike jails, prison infrastructure is for maximum detention with high-grade electronic security, proper welfare, and rehabilitation classes by the Corrections department regarding the purposes for custody.

How Many Prisons are in Delaware?

The state has four adult correctional facilities and thirteen community correctional centers. Below are details of the prison facilities in Delaware:

Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution
Contact number: (302) 577 3004

660 Baylor Blvd,
New Castle, DE 19720.

Howard R. Young Correctional Institution
Contact number: (302) 429 7700

1301 E St,
Wilmington, DE 19802
James T. Vaughn Correctional Institution
Contact number: (302) 653 9261

1181 paddock road,
Smyrna, DE 19977
Sussex Correctional Institution
Contact number: (302) 856 5280
Georgetown DE 19947

How Do I Search For An Inmate In Delaware State Prison?

Interested persons can utilize the inmate locator feature on the Department of Corrections’ webpage to search for inmates in any of the prisons in Delaware. Requestors will provide the following information on the portal:

• The inmate’s first name, middle name, and last name.
• The inmate’s date of birth.
• The inmate’s identification number.

Are Incarceration Records Public in Delaware?

Incarceration records are public files in Delaware as other vital records and in accordance with the Delaware freedom of information act. These documents are accessible upon request. Incarceration files contain inmates’ names, nationality, date of birth, mugshots and fingerprints, the offense committed, and other distinguishing physical attributes like tattoos and height.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often simplify the search process by aggregating information from various jurisdictions and providing it to record seekers via a single database. Users are generally required to provide the following information to facilitate a search:

• 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 where the person resides or was accused.

Third-party sites operate independently from government sources and are not sponsored by these agencies. Therefore, the accuracy and validity of the information they provide may not be guaranteed.

How to Look Up Jail Records in Delaware?

Jail history, arrest records, and criminal history information are documented and managed by different state bodies. Arrest records may be obtained by visiting the sheriff’s department in the county where the arrest occurred.

Criminal records entail information pertaining to an offender’s history, the charges, gender, name, and physical description. It also contains incarceration and conviction files. The Delaware State Police preserves criminal history documents. Interested persons may run a criminal background check by providing:

• Photo identification
• Fingerprints

The fee for accessing Delaware criminal history files is $52. This amount is payable in cash, checks, money order, credit or debit cards.

Can Jail Records be Expunged in Delaware?

Yes, jail records may be expunged in Delaware. Although expunged records in Delaware are not available for public examination, Law enforcement agents can still access the documents.

Delaware has two types of expungements: discretionary and mandatory expungement. The State Bureau of Identification (SBI) is in charge of mandatory expungement, while the superior and family courts handle discretionary expungement. Offenders who are not eligible for mandatory expungement may apply for discretionary expungement. For the expungement process to be successful, the convict should not have any pending charges or outstanding payments such as fines or court fees. When applying for expungement, the offender will be required to complete the Petition for Expungement of Criminal Record form and file the request in court. All state expungements are generally required to satisfy the regulation's provisions for the process.