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Department of Correction (DOC)

HOWARD R. YOUNG CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

1301 E. 12th Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 429-7700

Mailing Address
P O Box 9279
Wilmington,  DE   19809

WARDEN: Phil Morgan
DEPUTY WARDEN:   Mark Emig

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 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 1,380. The facility now averages 1,800 offenders.

Photo of Gander Hill

  • Processes approximately 60% of all admissions in the Delaware Correctional system and houses the majority of the detainee population.

  • Is home to the nationally recognized KEY substance abuse treatment program. The program at MPCJF-Gander Hill is called KEY-North. It started in 1988. KEY is a 200-bed therapeutic community. It is a treatment environment in which offenders are segregated from the rest of the prison population. U.S. Drug Czar General Barry McCaffrey visited KEY-North at Gander Hill in celebration of the program's 10th anniversary in 1998.

  • Is home to the Young Criminal Offenders Program (YCOP). YCOP is a housing unit/program that accommodates a juvenile male population between ages 16-18. YCOP is designed to manage the state's most difficult juvenile offenders. These youths are either found non-amenable in Delaware Family Court or are sentenced by Delaware Superior Court to the adult system for serious offenses. YCOP has capacity for 40. The YCOP housing unit is segregated from the adult male population at MPCJF. YCOP utilizes a therapeutic community treatment approach - that is - it seeks to change behaviors through structured programming. Programs include substance abuse treatment, anger management, alternatives to violence, youth leadership, public speaking and parenting. Education is mandatory for juveniles without a high school diploma. Offenders attend classes five days a week. Young offenders with a GED are encouraged to earn their high school diploma. (In Delaware, a GED and a high school diploma are not the same.) Other activities include Prison Arts, religious worship, and outdoor recreation. YCOP offenders are permitted weekly visits, daily phone calls, and visits to the commissary.

  • Houses "New Visions"; a treatment program for the relapse-prone offender. New Visions opened at MPCJF in May 1995. It is a six-month program providing relapse prevention therapy within a therapeutic community. New Visions is operated in a designated unit housing 60 offenders. The primary focus of the program is to identify those thoughts, feelings, and urges that lead offenders to relapse into chemical abuse and criminal behavior. Recognition and management of warning signs are integral to relapse prevention. The program implements cognitive, affective, and behavioral therapy. Treatment also utilizes a confrontational style of addressing negative addictive behaviors.
  • 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:

  1. To serve as a responsible and committed member of the Wilmington Community;

  2. To protect the community by faithfully performing our duties;

  3. To share our time and ourselves with those in need of assistance;

  4. To set a positive example for the people we interact with;

  5. To show respect for all people.

 

 

Visitation Rules/Procedures

Inmates are permitted one 1-hour visit per week.  To schedule a visit, an adult family member or friend must call (302) 575-0330, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 p.m.  Remember, visits are scheduled on a first come, first served basis ONE WEEK in advance.  The visitation schedule is listed below: 

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

East Wing:       Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

West Wing:       Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

Visitors must abide by the following rules:

  1. Visits are one hour long.
  2. Visitors must arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the visit.
  3. The maximum number of visitors is two adults and two children (under the age of 18).
  4. An Adult must accompany visitors under the age of 18.
  5. Visitors' attire should be in good taste and grooming when entering the institution.  Correctional staff will determine whether the visitor's clothing is appropriate based on the following guidelines:  bathing suits; body suits; 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.
  6. Visitors are permitted to bring a money order, car keys and identification only. If a visitor is bringing a small child (baby, infant or toddler) one diaper, two diaper wipes and bottle are permitted.  Prior to visiting, money orders/certified checks may be given to the Lobby Officer for deposit to your accounts.  Cash is NOT accepted.
  7. Visitors must have valid state issued photo identification that includes their name, photo and date of birth.
  8. 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.
  9. Talking to any inmate through institution windows or fences, or having conversations with any inmate other than in the assigned visiting area is strictly prohibited.  Visitors must go directly to and from the visiting room/waiting area
  10. Except in designated areas, smoking is not permitted in the facility.
  11. No property may be exchanged between an inmate and his visitor(s).  All cards, letters, etc., must be sent out through the mail.
  12. Only one (1) inmate may be visited at a time.  Cross conversations between other visitors and/or inmates is not permitted.
  13. 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.  We reserve the right to turn away any visitor due to intoxication, failing to obey the directions of officers, or generally misbehaving.

 

 

Inmate Mail Address

Inmate Name
SBI Number (acquire from the inmate or through the prison's Visitor Phone line)
Howard R. Young Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 9561
Wilmington, DE 19809

 

Last Updated: Wednesday, 18-Aug-2010 15:36:56 EDT
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