Howard R Young Correctional Institution
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Howard R Young Correctional Institution. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Medium
- Inmate Capacity
- 1,500 approx.
- Established
- 1982
- Operated By
- Delaware Department of Correction
Howard R Young Correctional Institution Inmate Communication Overview
Howard R Young Correctional Institution, sometimes called Gander Hill, is a Delaware Department of Correction facility in Wilmington. Delaware runs a single unified state correctional system rather than separate county jails, so this facility handles both pretrial detention for New Castle County and sentenced custody, similar to how a county jail would function in most other states. It opened in 1982 and is one of the larger facilities in Delaware's system.
Families reach people at Howard R Young through two providers. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers, with an account created at jpay.com or through the JPay app using the person's name and Delaware DOC identification number. Securus handles phone calls and video visitation through a separate account at securustech.net. Because Delaware's system is unified, these same accounts generally work if someone is later transferred to another Delaware DOC facility.
Wilmington is in northern Delaware, close to Philadelphia and reachable from most of the small state within an hour or two, which helps make in-person visits realistic for many families. Because Howard R Young holds both pretrial and sentenced individuals, someone's status and housing unit can change during their time there. Checking your JPay and Securus accounts for the current facility listing is useful if someone is moved elsewhere in the Delaware system.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
1301 East 12th Street, Wilmington, DE 19802
Main Phone
(302) 429-7700
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Visiting Hours
Visits are by appointment only, scheduled one week in advance by calling (302) 575-0330, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. One-hour visits run daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Arrive 15 minutes early. Confirm the current schedule with the facility before traveling.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Howard R Young Correctional Institution.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Electronic messaging through JPay. Messages are reviewed by Delaware DOC staff before delivery.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Video visitation through Securus. Schedule ahead where possible.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos through JPay, along with standard physical mail.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Fund a Securus account to accept calls from someone at Howard R Young.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Send funds through JPay online, by phone, or with cash at a MoneyGram location.
Communication Providers at Howard R Young Correctional Institution
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Used for messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers to people held at Howard R Young.
View JPay ServicesSecurus
Used for phone calls and video visitation at Howard R Young.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at Howard R Young Correctional Institution
- JPay covers messaging, photos, and money. Securus covers phone calls and video visits.
- Delaware runs a single statewide correctional system, so Howard R Young holds both pretrial and sentenced individuals.
- All communication is subject to review and monitoring by Delaware DOC staff.
- Only people on the approved contact list can message, call, or visit.
- If someone transfers to another Delaware DOC facility, the same JPay and Securus accounts generally continue to work.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Howard R Young Correctional Institution
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I contact someone at Howard R Young Correctional Institution?
- Set up a JPay account for messaging, photos, and money, and a separate Securus account for phone calls and video visits. You'll need the person's full name and Delaware DOC identification number for both.
- Is Howard R Young a jail or a state prison?
- It functions as both. Delaware operates a single unified correctional system instead of separate county jails, so Howard R Young holds people awaiting trial as well as people serving state sentences.
- Can I schedule a video visit at Howard R Young?
- Yes, video visitation is available through Securus. Create an account, select the facility, and choose an open time slot. Booking a day or two ahead is recommended.
- How do I find out where someone is held in the Delaware system?
- The Delaware Department of Correction provides inmate and facility information on its website, doc.delaware.gov. You can also call the facility directly to confirm current placement.
- How do I send money to someone at Howard R Young?
- Use JPay online, through the app, by phone, or with cash at a participating MoneyGram location. Deposits are typically credited within one to two business days.
- How do I schedule a visit at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution?
- All visits are by appointment only. Schedule one week in advance by calling (302) 575-0330, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Have the inmate's full name, date of birth, and SBI number ready, plus the name, address, birth date, and phone number of every visitor.
- What is an SBI number and why do I need it?
- The SBI number is the Delaware State Bureau of Identification number assigned to a person in the Delaware system. You need it to search for the person, schedule visits, and send money.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution?
- Use the Delaware Department of Correction Inmate Locator. Search by name or SBI number to confirm the person's location, since Delaware moves people between facilities.
- How do I post bail for someone at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution?
- Bail is set by the Justice of the Peace Court. Families can post bail directly or through a licensed bail bondsman. Confirm the amount and the posting process with the court or the facility.
Troubleshooting at Howard R Young Correctional Institution
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support. For Securus, support can be reached at 972-734-1111 after repeated failed calls.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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