Howard R. Young Correctional Institution

The Howard R. Young Correctional Institution (also known as Gander Hill Prison due to the neighborhood in which it is located) is a Level 5 facility for male inmates located in the northeast section of Wilmington, Delaware. 

The facility is named for a 33-year department veteran who died in 2001 after a battle with cancer. Originally called the Multi-Purpose Criminal Justice Facility, it was renamed in honor of Young in February 2004. Young was the first Warden of the prison when it opened in 1982.

The original facility, now called the West Wing, was designed to hold 360 detainees, individuals who are awaiting trial/sentencing or unable to make bail. In 1992, a new section, the East Wing, opened. This construction project added 480 beds for sentenced offenders. Additional construction projects have increased the capacity to 1,180. The facility now averages 1,500 offenders.

This facility processes approximately 60 percent of all admissions in the Delaware Correctional system and houses the majority of the detainee population.

Howard R. Young Correctional Institution supports a very active and responsive community outreach program, working with families, schools, churches, community, and charitable groups. The community outreach program provides services and gifts including but not limited to food, clothing, school supplies, monetary donations, and school presentations. 

The mission of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution Community Outreach Program is:

• To serve as a responsible and committed member of the Wilmington Community
• To protect the community by faithfully performing our duties
• To share our time and ourselves with those in need of assistance
• To set a positive example for the people we interact with
• To show respect for all people

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visits at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution are scheduled for Monday thru Sunday at the following times: 

• 8:30 am
• 9:30 am
• 10:30 am
• 11:30 am
• 12:30 pm
• 1:30 pm
• 2:30 pm

All visits must be scheduled one week in advance by contacting 302-575-0330. The visitation scheduling desk is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Two adults and two children are permitted on each visit. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian or person over the age of 18. Children ages 14 to 18 years of age must have picture identification (driver's license, state-issued ID, school ID, passport, etc.) All identification must have a current picture, date of birth, and full name.

You must provide the SBI# and/or DOB of the offender when scheduling a visit. You must also provide the birth dates, addresses, and telephone numbers for any visitors you are scheduling. If you cannot supply this information, the visit will not be scheduled.

Visits cannot be changed, cancelled, or confirmed. Please verify your visit day and time before you end the phone conversation.

Visits are one hour long and you must arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the visit.

Your attire should be in good taste. Correctional staff will determine whether your clothing is appropriate based on the following guidelines: 

• Bathing suits, bodysuits, strapless or low cut, revealing tops; sleeveless shirts, tube tops, and any type of revealing clothing not adhering to the normal standards of decency will not be permitted. 
• Dresses, skirts, culottes, and/or walking shorts must be no shorter than two inches above the knee, as measured from the bend in the back of the knee with the waistband in the normal position. 
• Spandex pants, shorts, and leggings are not permitted alone. Leggings may be worn under a skirt. 
• Any see-through material is not permitted. 

Once a visit is denied by staff for clothing infractions, the visit will be cancelled for that day. You cannot return to your car and change clothing and then regain admittance.

You are allowed to bring $5.00 in currency. The only other items permitted are car keys and a valid form of identification only. If a visitor is bringing a small child (baby, infant or toddler) one diaper, two diaper wipes, and bottle are permitted. All other items must be secured in your vehicle. You cannot leave any unauthorized items in the front lobby. 

Money Orders are no longer accepted at the time of the visit.

All visitors are subject to a metal detector search at the time of each visit. When deemed necessary, the security staff may request a more intense physical search. Should the visitor refuse to comply, they will be denied entrance and ordered off of the property.

Visitors and inmates alike should show respect for others visiting and keep all conversations in a low tone. Loud conversations, foul language, arguments, or fighting will result in cancellation of your visits and disciplinary action. The staff can turn away any visitor due to intoxication, failing to obey the directions of officers, or generally misbehaving.

All inmate visitors may be subject to a background check prior to entering any level 5 facility. If any past felony, misdemeanors, active warrants, or present probation is found during these checks, you may be barred from visiting for a specific amount of time. (Incarcerations 10 years from the date of release and probation 5 years from the date of release)

Failure to adhere to the Facility rules, regulations or visitation policy may result in your visitation privileges being suspended indefinitely.

Mail should be limited to letters, cards, written correspondence, non-Polaroid pictures, and money orders.

Do NOT mail offenders packages, pornography, cash, stamps, tobacco, or illegal substances.

How to Call an Inmate

You can’t call an inmate at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, but an inmate can call you collect during approved hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Delaware, please click here.

How to Send Money

In order to get money to an offender, please adhere to these guidelines:

• Personal checks will not be accepted
• It is unwise to send cash in the mail
• Money orders must be sent by mail and include the following information:
  • Offender's full name
  • Offender's SBI number
  • Assigned institution
  • Name of the remitter

Mail the money order to the inmate at the following address:

Howard R. Young Correctional Institution (HRYCI)
Inmate Name
SBI Number

Howard R. Young Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 9561
Wilmington, DE 19809

Money sent to an inmate will be credited to the offender's account within 24 hours of receipt (during normal business hours).

Programs For Inmates

• Key Visions Program

The Key Visions Program is the first component of Delaware's substance abuse treatment regimen for offenders with a history of substance abuse. Key Visions is a prison based therapeutic community with a total treatment environment that is discipline based, intense and isolated from the rest of the prison population. 

The Key Visions Program is open to sentenced offenders who are within 12 to 36 months of their short term release date or within 15 months of a parole date. The projected length of stay in the program is 12 to 18 months and is based on performance. This means that the length of time an offender spends in the program depends upon their level of participation and how hard they work while in the program. 

The primary goal of Key Visions is to change negative patterns of behavior, thinking and feelings that predispose one toward drug abuse and crime. The program provides a disciplined, regimented daily routine for offenders. Offenders earn advancement in the program's phase system through demonstrative responsible behavior and proper living.

• Behavioral Health Program

Howard R. Young offers a range of programs and behavioral health services to balance safety and offenders' needs to foster a successful transition from prison to the community. The facility partners with a variety of community providers to address emerging trends in medical care, behavioral health, and support services to address the challenges and concerns experienced by the criminal justice population.

Pictures of Howard R. Young Correctional Institution

Careers at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution

The Delaware Department of Correction is the state's largest law enforcement agency. If you are interested in a career at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, click here.