This page helps users handle an inmate search in Delaware, including where to check custody status, how notifications work, and which official contacts may help with next steps.

The Delaware Department of Correction directs people seeking incarceration information to VINELink, the online version of VINE, for custody status and victim notification services.

The Delaware Department of Correction encourages people looking for information on an offender incarcerated in Delaware to use search through VINELink. VINELink is the online portal for VINE, the Victim Information and Notification Everyday service.

  • Select Delaware from the state selection page.
  • Use VINELink to look for custody status or criminal case information.
  • Register for custody status notifications if you want updates by phone, email, text message, or TTY device.

VINELink also offers mobile app access and 24/7 toll-free phone support for help locating an offender, registering for notifications, or finding victim services. The toll-free VINE support number is 1-866-277-7477.

Important: VINE states that it cannot guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the information on its service.

Delaware Department of Correction inmate information

The Delaware Department of Correction also maintains a locate an inmate page that points users to VINELink for incarceration information in Delaware.

Custody information can change. The Department of Correction may adjust an offender’s release date through forfeiture of good time, hold an offender after a listed release date if another jurisdiction wants the offender, or require the offender to serve other sentence levels such as work release or probation after a Level V prison sentence.

Facilities listed by the Delaware Department of Correction

After locating an offender, confirm the facility before planning mail, money deposits, or visitation. The Department of Correction lists prisons and community correction facilities on its facility locations and profiles page.

Facility type Facility name
Prison Baylor Women's Correctional Institution
Prison Howard R. Young Correctional Institution
Prison James T. Vaughn Correctional Center
Prison Sussex Correctional Institution
Community Corrections Community Corrections Treatment Center
Community Corrections Hazel D. Plant Women's Treatment Facility
Community Corrections Plummer Community Corrections Center
Community Corrections Sussex Community Corrections Center
Community Corrections Sussex Violation of Probation
Community Corrections Sussex Work Release Center

Visitation rules and scheduling procedures differ by facility. Review the Department of Correction’s visit an inmate information before making plans.

  • Baylor Women's Correctional Institution schedules visits by phone at (302) 577-5837, with the visitation phone line available Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
  • Howard R. Young Correctional Institution schedules visits one week in advance at (302) 575-0330.
  • James T. Vaughn Correctional Center schedules visits by last name group: A-J at 1-800-282-8602 and K-Z at 1-800-722-0252.
  • Sussex Correctional Institution schedules visits at (302) 856-5545, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Most facility rules require advance scheduling, photo identification, search screening, and limits on what visitors may bring inside. Some facilities require an offender SBI number, date of birth, visitor addresses, or visitor phone numbers when scheduling.

Mail and money after locating an inmate

For prison mail, Delaware uses centralized mail scanning for all prison facilities effective April 15, 2024. The Department of Correction’s mail to inmate instructions explain prison and community corrections mail rules.

Incoming mail must include a return address, the inmate’s name, and the inmate’s SBI number or date of birth. The Department of Correction says not to mail offenders packages, pornography, cash, stamps, tobacco, or illegal substances.

Money may be added to an offender’s account through facility kiosks, online through ViaPath/GTL, or by mailing money orders directly to ViaPath/GTL using the Department of Correction form. The send money to inmates page notes that personal checks are not accepted and cash should not be sent in the mail.

Work release walkaways and records requests

The Department of Correction maintains a walkaways and escapees listing for offenders who escaped DOC custody while participating in the Work Release Program. Listings include the offender name, last known address, mug shot link, and the facility from which the offender escaped.

For public records requests to the Department of Correction, users may use the State of Delaware Online FOIA Request Form or complete the fillable PDF FOIA request form. The Department of Correction also accepts FOIA requests by email at DOC_FOIA_Request@delaware.gov, by mail, or in person at the DOC Administration Building.

Delaware inmate search contacts

Use these Department of Correction contacts when an online search, notification, records, or facility question needs staff assistance.

Common questions

Where do I search for a Delaware inmate?

The Delaware Department of Correction directs users to use VINELink for custody status and offender incarceration information in Delaware.

Can I register for inmate custody notifications?

Yes. VINELink allows victims and concerned citizens to register for custody status updates by phone, email, text message, or TTY device.

Why might a listed release date change?

The Department of Correction may adjust a release date through forfeiture of good time, continued custody for another jurisdiction, or additional sentence levels such as work release or probation.

Who handles Delaware offender records questions?

Central Offender Records is listed by the Delaware Department of Correction for offender records questions and can be reached at (302) 857-5490.