Delaware Inmate Search

The state of Delaware operates a unified correctional system in which all correctional facilities and institutions fall under the jurisdiction of the Delaware Department of Corrections. As of January 26, 2025, approximately 3,436 inmates were under the Department's supervision. These inmates are distributed across the 11 correctional facilities managed by the Department. The Department also operates six Probation and Parole Offices and supervises 10,858 probationers in the community.

Generally, an inmate search tool allows citizens to access information about individuals in custody 24 hours a day. It can also reveal the correctional facility in which the inmate is housed. With an inmate search tool, friends and family can easily locate and communicate with their loved ones in prison.

What is Delaware Inmate Lookup?

Delaware inmate lookup involves retrieving information about incarcerated individuals in Delaware's correctional facilities. The public can conduct inmate lookups in the state using VINELink. Individuals seeking inmate information can also contact the Central Offender Records unit at (302) 857-5429.

Inmate lookup services help make the correctional system more open and accountable. These services allow individuals to access important details about an inmate, such as their full name, charges leading to their imprisonment, custody status, and where they are housed. Locating an inmate within the correctional system helps families and friends of inmates plan visits. Regular visits can significantly improve inmates' emotional well-being. It enables inmates to stay connected with their loved ones and receive support during prison.

What Information Can You Find in a Delaware Inmate Search?

Delaware inmate searches generally return the following feedback:

• Inmate's full name
• Inmate's date of birth
• Custody status
• Correctional facility of incarceration
• Gender
• Inmate's ID number

How Are Inmate Records in Delaware Created and Stored?

In Delaware, every inmate supervised by the Department of Corrections has a personal case record, also called an inmate record. The Central Offender Records Unit creates, updates, and stores these records. They start this process by handling paperwork related to the inmate's court sentence and identification. This paperwork includes the offender's blue sheet, vital statistics with a photo, court orders, commitments, and meritorious credit reports.

After processing this paperwork, the unit checks if the inmate has served a previous sentence under the Department of Corrections or has any correspondence about their classification. This information, along with the inmate's full name, date of birth, race, sex, and the state's Bureau of Identification (SBI) number, is added to the inmate's case record.

When inmates move from one facility to another, their case records and health records go with them. The facility receiving the inmate must complete a Record Custody Transfer form. The Department of Corrections allows friends, family, and the public to access non-confidential inmate records, making it easy to look up an inmate at any time.

What Does the Delaware Prison System Look Like?

Delaware's state prison system comprises four prisons and seven community correction centers managed by the Department of Corrections. The Bureau of Prisons oversees the four state prisons, while the Bureau of Community Corrections supervises the seven community correction centers. Delaware state prisons and community correction centers provide custody services and care for incarcerated persons, as well as offering a range of correctional programs necessary to meet the needs of society and the individual while implementing court-ordered sanctions in the least restrictive environment consistent with public safety. At least 2,500 employees work in the various state-run prison facilities across the Commonwealth. There are five supervision levels in the Delaware criminal justice system, and they include:

• Level V- 24 hour incarceration
• Level IV- Work Release/Community Correction Centers
• Level III- Intensive Probation Supervision
• Level II- Standard Probation
• Level I- Administrative Probation Supervision

Delaware state prisons are categorized into varying levels, namely the minimum, medium, and maximum security prisons. The minimum-security prisons hold inmates who pose no significant security risk. In contrast, medium-security prisons hold inmates who pose security risks despite demonstrating readiness to adhere to institutional rules. On the other hand, maximum security prisons in the state hold inmates who need direct and constant supervision and pose a severe security risk.

Types of Correctional Facilities in Delaware?

Delaware has four state prisons, three of which are designed to house minimum, medium, and maximum-security inmates. The state's Department of Corrections oversees each of these facilities, along with the reentry programs and services. The state also has community correction centers overseen by the Bureau of Community Corrections. The Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services oversees four juvenile facilities that house and educate youth offenders.

Delaware State Prisons

Delaware has four state prisons, including three male correctional facilities and one women's correctional facility. These facilities are designed to house pre-trial and sentenced adults at minimum, medium, and maximum security levels. Below is the list of all prison facilities in Delaware:

• Baylor Women's Correctional Institution
• Howard R. Young Correctional Institution
• James T.Vaughn Correctional Center
• Sussex Correctional Institution

Delaware County Jails

Delaware has a unified prison system in which all pre-trial and sentenced adults are held in state correctional facilities. As a result, county jails are not operational in the state.

Delaware Juvenile Detention Center

Delaware Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services is the lead agency in charge of juvenile justice and detention in the state. These facilities hold youth offenders between the ages of 12 and 21 who are ordered by the judicial system to serve a sentence. The Division offers supervision and services through civil citation, community services, detention services, and secure care treatment. The juvenile detention facilities in Delaware include the following:

• New Castle County Detention Center
• Stevenson House Detention Center
• Ferris School
• Grace Residential Cottage
• Snowden Residential Cottage

Individuals interested in conducting juvenile inmate searches in Delaware may contact each facility.

Delaware Community Correctional Facilities

The Delaware Bureau of Community Corrections oversees the state's correctional facilities and generally facilitates community reintegration and crime reduction through effective supervision and case management. It supervises offenders after release from incarceration or upon direct court sentence. The Bureau offers detention, supervision, and treatment services to offenders. Listed below are community correctional centers in Delaware:

• Community Corrections Treatment Center
• Hazel D. Plant Women's Treatment Facility
• Plummer Community Corrections Center
• Sussex Community Corrections Center
• Sussex Violation of Probation
• Sussex Work Release Center
• Morris Community Corrections Center

The Bureau of Community Corrections is also in charge of all probation, parole, and pretrial supervision in the state.

Why are People Incarcerated in Delaware?

In Delaware, various offenses may result in fines; however, individuals typically face incarceration for Class A and Class B misdemeanors and all felonies. Class A misdemeanors can lead to a maximum of one year in prison and include offenses such as third-degree assault, domestic violence, criminal trespass, and offensive touching. On the other hand, Class B misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of six months in imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,150. Examples of Class B misdemeanors include possession of drug paraphernalia, ticket scalping, and lewdness.

Delaware categorizes felonies into seven classes, ranging from Class A to Class G, with Class A representing the most serious offenses and Class G the least serious. Felony crimes are also divided into violent and nonviolent categories. All Class A felonies are classified as violent offenses, while other classes can be either violent or nonviolent. For instance, assault is considered a Class B violent felony, whereas theft exceeding $100,000 is categorized as a Class B nonviolent felony. Each felony class has a specified minimum sentence. For example, Class A felonies carry a minimum jail term of 15 years. This includes crimes such as first and second-degree murder and first-degree rape.

For further details regarding sentencing lengths for each felony charge in the state, read the Delaware Crime and Criminal Procedure. Individuals can utilize the VineLink service to conduct an inmate search and find out why a person is incarcerated in a Delaware correctional facility.

Delaware's Incarceration Rate and Statistics

As of December 2022, the state of Delaware had an incarceration rate of 272 inmates per 100,000 residents. This statistic translates to roughly 4,954 individuals being held in facilities managed by the Delaware Department of Corrections.

The table below shows Delaware's year-end incarceration rate over a 7-year period.

Life After Incarceration in Delaware

The state of Delaware invests in ensuring ex-offenders experience smooth reintegration into the community after release from incarceration. The Delaware Correctional Reentry Commission is the agency responsible for providing reentry services and programs. These services include housing support to prevent homelessness for returning citizens, provision of job training and employment opportunities, provision of educational resources, and continuous care for returning citizens suffering from substance use and behavioral health disorders.

Despite Delaware's efforts to ensure the smooth reentry of released inmates back into society, at least 64% of inmates released from the state's correctional facilities commit a repeat offense, and many of them return to prison after arrest.

How Does Parole Work In Delaware?

The Delaware Bureau of Community Corrections reviews each inmate's progress, and when they feel a prisoner is rehabilitated, they may release them early before finishing their sentence. When this happens, the inmate is given a list of stipulations they must comply with. If the inmate does not check in regularly with their parole officer or violates any of the other rules, they will return to prison to finish their sentences. As of December 2022, the Delaware parole population stood at 340.

Delaware Parole Population in 2022

How Does Someone Get Probation in Delaware?

Probation is a supervisory program where a Delaware judge can order probation instead of prison. This privilege is mostly given to first-time or low-risk offenders. Again, these individuals do have to comply with a list of court-ordered rules. If they fail to meet with the probation officer or complete any of the other terms of their probation, it will be revoked, and they will immediately go to prison. As of December 2022, Delaware's probation population stood at 10,810.