New Castle County, Delaware Inmate Search
An inmate search refers to the methods or tools used to search for individuals currently detained in a county jail or prison. The term typically refers to methods available to the general public for searching for inmate information online. Because arrest records are typically public records, some law enforcement agencies make them available online for free.
Inmate search results will generally allow the public to check the following.
- Who is in custody by providing a name, age, and other personal identifiers.
- Booking information, such as booking number, arrest date, and the arresting agency.
- The inmates’ custody status, whether they are in jail, released, or transferred
- The charges against them and any bail information
- The current jail location where the inmate is housed.
In Delaware, sheriffs’ offices are not responsible for arrests or incarcerations; the New Castle County Police Department and the Delaware Department of Correction handle these duties, respectively. Record seekers may contact the police department about inmate and arrest information directly at:
New Castle County Police Department
Public Safety Building
3601 North DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
The Department of Correction also provides jail services for larger cities in New Castle County and their law enforcement agencies, such as the Wilmington Police Department and the Newark Police Department. While the police departments handle initial processing and booking, inmates are usually transferred to the state-run James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC).
How to Find an Inmate in Jail in New Castle County
To find inmates arrested in New Castle County, interested persons may contact the New Castle County Police Department or the Delaware Department of Corrections (DOC). These two agencies handle law enforcement and jail services for the county, respectively. Record seekers may visit these locations at the following addresses to inquire about inmate information in person.
New Castle County Police Department
Public Safety Building
3601 North DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
James T. Vaughn Correctional Center
1181 Paddock Rd,
Smyrna, DE 19977
Interested parties may also request prisoner information from the police department by calling (302)395-8156 or using the Inmate Locator on the Department of Corrections website. Inquiries about offenders may also be directed to the DOC Central Offender Records at (302)857-5490.
How to Use the New Castle County Jail Roster
The New Castle County Police Department does not maintain an online inmate search tool or jail roster. Instead, record seekers may use the Inmate Locator found on the Department of Corrections website to perform online searches for inmate information. The online inmate search tool can be accessed as follows.
- Visit the Delaware Department of Correction website.
- Click on the Inmate Locator link or Locate an Offender link on the website’s homepage.
- Follow the instructions and select Delaware from the given menu.
- The search tool allows users to find inmate details by entering criteria such as names, ID numbers, or case numbers.
What Information is Included in the Newcastle County Inmate Roster
A New Castle County inmate roster will usually contain information about the inmate, the arrest, and their custody status. Law enforcement agencies may disclose this information to the public under the Delaware Freedom of Information Act, unless the information is exempt from disclosure by law. Details included in the inmate roster include the following.
- The inmate’s full name as recorded during their arrest and booking
- The unique booking number is issued to the inmate at the time of their intake into the jail
- The date of arrest and booking
- A general description of the charges filed and the statutes they violated
- The housing unit to which the inmate was assigned
- The inmates’ current custody or release status
- Bail or bond details, if applicable
- A roster may show the court or hearing dates if scheduled
Although inmate rosters generally contain public information, not all information is accessible to the public. Records concerning juveniles or other protected individuals, sealed or expunged records, ongoing investigation files, and records exempted by state or federal law are typically restricted from public records, including inmate rosters.
Contact Details for New Castle County Jail or Police Department
The New Castle County Police Department handles law enforcement duties for New Castle County. Unlike some county law enforcement agencies, the police department does not operate its own jail; the Delaware Department of Corrections is in charge of jail services for New Castle County. Inquiries about inmates may be directed to either the County Police Station, the Delaware Department of Corrections, or the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC), which houses inmates for New Castle County.
|
Facility |
Address |
Phone Numbers |
Website |
|---|---|---|---|
|
New Castle County Police Department Public Safety Building |
3601 North DuPont Highway New Castle, DE 19720 |
Main: (302)395-8450 Prison Information: (302)395-8156 | |
|
James T. Vaughn Correctional Center |
1181 Paddock Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977 |
(302) 653-9261 |
Jail Facility Overview in New Castle County
The Department of Corrections operates the jail facilities in New Castle County; the largest of these is the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC). The JTVCC is the largest adult male correctional facility in Delaware. It houses approximately 2500 inmates in minimum, medium, and maximum security facilities, plus death row inmates. Inmates at the correctional center are arranged and allocated quality of life levels after considering their criminal history, institutional behavior/history, threat to public safety, institutional safety and security, and program needs
New Castle County is also home to the New Castle County Detention Center, run by the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services. This is a 64-bed secure facility serving pre-adjudicated male and female offenders under 18 years old. These facilities provide inmates with programs and activities, including medical, dental, and psychological services, as well as practical life lessons such as dance, cooking, and gardening.
|
Agency |
Office and Mail Address |
Phone Number |
Office Hours |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
James T. Vaughn Correctional Center |
1181 Paddock Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977 |
(302) 653-9261 |
Open 24 hours | |
|
New Castle County Detention Center |
1825 Faulkland Road, Wilmington, DE 19805 |
(302)633-3100 |
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center?
The Delaware Department of Correction provides multiple methods to send money to an inmate’s account, some of which include:
- Using kiosks located in the main entrance of the facility
- Online transfers using ViaPath/GTL
- By using the transfer form to mail money orders directly to ViaPath/GTL
The jail does not accept personal checks at all or cash for mailed requests. Money orders should not be mailed to the physical facility and are not accepted in person during visitation.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
The Delaware Department of Correction provides an Inmate Locator for users to search for inmates at all facilities it operates, including those serving New Castle County, such as the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC). The inmate locator allows users to search for inmate information online using criteria such as state/location, name, ID number, and case number. Members of the public may also register with the inmate locator to request regular updates on an inmate’s custody status and receive notifications when it changes.
Prisoner information may also be requested over the phone by calling the New Castle County Police Department at (302)395-8156.
New Castle County Visitation Rules and Schedules
The James T. Vaughn Correctional Center is the largest detention facility in New Castle County and offers family and loved ones the opportunity to visit inmates housed in it. Visitors to the facility must adhere to the following rules and procedures to see any inmates.
- All visits must be scheduled by calling the facility a week before the requested visit. The scheduling desk is open to receive calls from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding state holidays. Visitors may call 1(800)282-8602 for offenders whose last name starts with A-J or 1(800)722-0252 for those whose last name begins with K to Z.
- Visitors must arrive at the facility at least 30 minutes before their scheduled visit begins, or they will be denied access.
- Visitors are permitted to bring in one set of keys, and any visitor aged 16 years old and over must provide a valid photo identification showing their full current address. This address must be the same one used during the scheduling process.
- Visitors must be well-groomed and wearing conservative attire when entering at the facility. Any visitor wearing skimpy and revealing clothing not adhering to decency standards will not be allowed inside. Correctional staff on hand will determine whether the visitor’s clothing is appropriate.
- Visitors with infants may bring in one plastic baby bottle, one diaper, one small blanket, and two disposable wipes in a clear plastic bag.
- All visitors must place items such as jackets, gloves, hats, and keys in a container for x-ray before departing the Gatehouse area for your visit. Visitors will also be subject to a metal detector or a more intense physical search if security staff deem it necessary.
- Only one inmate may be visited at a time; cross-conversations between other visitors and/or inmates are not permitted. Talking to inmates through windows, fences, or having conversations anywhere other than the visiting area is strictly prohibited.
- No items whatsoever may be exchanged between inmates and their visitors.
- Visitors and inmates must show respect to others visiting and staff. They must keep all conversations in a low, respectful tone. Loud conversations, foul language, arguments, or fighting result in the cancellation of the visit and disciplinary action. Intoxication, failing to obey security officers, and general misbehavior will also result in the visitor being turned away.
Further rules and information for visitors to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center are available online in the Visiting an Inmate section of the Delaware Department of Correction website.
Visiting times at the facility are as follows.
|
Days |
Times |
|---|---|
|
Monday through to Sunday |
9 a.m. through to 2 p.m. |
Mailing and Commissary Information
The Delaware Department of Correction provides Postal Mail Guidelines for the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.
- Accepted mail is limited to letters, cards, written correspondence, and non-Polaroid pictures.
- All mail except legal mail must be sent in white envelopes and must contain a return address, the inmate’s name, and the inmate’s SBI number or Date of Birth.
- Letters must be written on paper no larger than standard paper size (8 ½ x 11 inches) and sent in envelopes no larger than 4 x 9 ½ inches.
- Mail or letters made using crayon, highlighter, or other markers on the paper; glitter, lipstick marks, unusual stains, body fluids, perfumes, oils, or other foreign or unknown substances on the paper are prohibited.
- Do NOT mail inmates any packages, pornography, cash, stamps, tobacco, or illegal substances.
Mail to inmates at the correction center should be addressed to inmates as follows.
For non-legal inmate mail:
Inmate Name - SBI Number
Delaware DOC - 1101
PO Box 96777
Las Vegas, NV 89193
For legal and pre-approved inmate mail:
James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC)
Inmate Name
SBI Number
James T. Vaughn Correctional Center
1181 Paddock Road
Smyrna, DE 19977