DE DOC - James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC)

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DE DOC – James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 302-653-9261

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at Vaughn Correctional located at 1181 Paddock Rd in Smyrna, DE are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

The JTVCC is a Level 5 (prison) facility for men located near Smyrna, Delaware, in southern New Castle County. The James T. Vaughn Correctional Center is the state's largest adult, male correctional facility. Currently, JTVCC houses approximately 2,500 inmates. JTVCC houses minimum, medium, and maximum security inmates. JTVCC is also the primary facility for housing the Kent County pre-trial (detainee) population. It also houses inmates sentenced to the death penalty Executions are carried out at the JTVCC.

JTVCC opened in 1971 with a capacity of 441. Expansions since then have increased the total bed capacity to over 2,600. In 1996, construction began on a $110 million, 888-bed addition. The expansion included 600 new maximum security cells, the addition of almost 26,000 linear feet (4.8 miles) of security fencing, the installation of 6 miles of razor wire, the construction of a new central tower and an additional perimeter tower, and the installation of new security cameras and enhanced observation points. The 600 maximum-security cells have been constructed in six new housing units with 888 new beds. Three hundred cells have a single bed; 300 cells are double-bunked unless they are handicap-accessible in which case the cell is single-bunked. All inmates are classified and assigned a quality of life levels consistent with their criminal history, institutional behavior/history, a threat to public safety and institutional safety and security, and program needs. The new addition houses the Security Housing Unit (SHU) and the Medium-High Housing Unit (MHU).

JTVCC has several programs designed to rehabilitate the inmate including educational opportunities, vocational training, work assignments, spiritual/religious programs and a variety of other classes and programming.

visitation Info

DE DOC – James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC) – Visitation

Visiting times are scheduled for Monday – Sunday:
- 9:00 am
- 10:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 12:00 pm
- 1:00 pm
- 2:00 pm
To schedule a visit call the Institution the week prior to the requested visit. The visit scheduling desk is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding State holidays. Persons calling in Delaware can call: Persons calling from out of state can dial (302) 653-4828.
- 1-800-282-8602 for inmates whose last name begins A-J; or
- 1-800-722-0252 for those inmates whose last name begins K to Z.
Visits must be scheduled in Advance – Call on Monday through Friday to visit the following Monday through Sunday.
Visitors must be at the facility a minimum of 30 minutes before the start time of the scheduled visit or you will be denied access.
The quantity of visits and the length of visits is dependent upon the inmate's quality of life level.
2 adults/2 children 5 & under are permitted on the visit.
Visitors' attire should be conservative and well groomed 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.
Visitors are permitted to bring money orders or cashier's checks, car key, and photo identification with full address. Visitors with infants are permitted to bring in one plastic baby bottle, one diaper, one small blanket, and two disposable wipes. No other items are allowed.
Visitors must have a photo identification with complete, current address for any visitor age 16 and over.
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.
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.
Smoking is not permitted on State property.
No property may be exchanged between an inmate and his visitor(s). All cards, letters, etc., must be sent out through the mail.
Only one (1) inmate may be visited at a time. Cross conversations between other visitors and/or inmates is not permitted.
Visitors and inmates alike must 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 the visit 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.
Visitors who commit serious violations of visiting rules will be barred from future visitation.