Sussex Correctional Institution

By Chris Smith, 8 March, 2024
Name of Warden:
Scott Ceresini
Description of Facility

Sussex Correctional Institution is one of the oldest prisons in Delaware. It houses minimum, medium, and maximum security male inmates. This facility was designed with a capacity of 1,269. Rehabilitative programs provided to incarcerated individuals at Sussex Correctional Institution includes vocational training, work assignments, and the Road to Recovery which utilizes a therapeutic community model of substance abuse treatment.

Facility Telephone Number
302-856-5280
Facility Address

Sussex Correctional Institution
23203 Dupont Blvd
Georgetown, DE 19947
United States

Inmate Mailing Address

Inmate Name, SBI Number
Sussex Correctional Institution
(Building & Tier of Inmate's Housing)
P.O. Box 500
Georgetown, DE 19947
United States

What you can send an inmate

 Inmates at Sussex Correctional Institution are allowed mail sent in a regular white envelope and may contain the following:

  • Letters
  • Money orders to deposit into an inmate's account
  • Photos 4x6 (no Polaroids, no nudity)
  • Cards no larger than 5"x7" from a store, and must be on standard card stock (no homemade cards, cards must not contain embellishments like stickers, electronics, batteries or rhinestones)
  • You may not send anything else.  Packages, cash, stamps, tobacco and pornography are not allowed and should not ever be mailed.

All mail sent to an inmate must contain the following:

  • Inmate's Full Name and ID Number
  • Facility address/P.O. Box Number

Read Delaware Department of Corrections policy on inmate mail here.

Delaware inmates who are considered level V or level IV may receive publications through the mail, this includes newspapers and softcover books but they must come directly from a reputable publisher like Barnes and Noble.  There are also restrictions on the content, as it may not contain sexually explicit material, or pose a threat to the security or order of the institution.  Contact your inmate for more information on sending them books.

How Inmate Calls Work

Inmates in Delaware are allowed to make outgoing phone calls.  They are allowed up to ten phone numbers to be added to the automated telephone system.  Inmates can buy phone minutes using the funds in their inmate account.  Third party telephone service provider GTL provides a way for friends and family to setup/deposit money into an inmate's phone account, you can check them out here.

How to send money to an inmate

   Delaware Department of Corrections allows inmates to access money through a trust account.  Friends and family members can send money to an inmate that can be used to purchase an assortment of items from the commissary including food, stamps, and hygiene items.  

To send money you will need the inmate's full name, SBI number, and current location.

You can send money to inmates in Delaware by the following methods:

  • In person: Using a money order by dropping it in the green mailbox at the facility entrance.
  • By Mail: Send a money order to the inmate's mailing address.  On the money order include the following:
    • Inmate's full name and SBI number
    • Assigned facility
    • Your full name
  • Personal Checks are not accepted 
How to do an Inmate Search

 Search the Delaware inmate database to get an inmate's SBI number, their current location, and sentencing information.

Visiting Information/FAQs

All visits at Sussex Correctional Institution are by appointment only.

Schedule an appointment to visit by calling 302-856-5545 Monday Through Friday from 8:00am-3:00pm.

  • Visits are scheduled a week in advance and cannot be changed once scheduled.
  • Up to three visitors can attend the visit.
  • The type of visit for each inmate is determined by the facility (open visits with contact or closed visits that are non-contact)
  • Sentenced inmates are allowed two 45 minute visits per week
  • Pre-trial inmates are allowed one 45 minute visit per week

Visiting Hours for Sussex Correctional Institution:
Appointment only, you must call to schedule.

Video visitation is also provided to inmates incarcerated in Delaware, but you must schedule your video visitation using the GTL scheduling portal.  Video visits are a paid service.

  • Bring a valid government issued photo ID with you to visitation.
  • You can only bring your ID, two car keys, a wedding band, medical alert device, and life saving medication, anything else is not permitted.
  • You can deposit a money order for an inmate by placing it in the green mailbox at the front of the facility.
  • Smoking on facility grounds is prohibited.

Dress Code
The following clothing is not allowed:

  • No open toed shoes, no crocs
  • No hoodies
  • Clothes that resemble law enforcement or military including camouflage
  • No skirts, dresses, or shorts that expose two inches above the knee or more
  • No halter tops, strapless tops, sheer, or see through
  • No very tight fit/spandex pants, shorts, and leggings may not be worn alone, but my be worn under a skirt
  • Revealing clothing that don't adhere to common standards of decency are not allowed this includes offensive clothing

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