The George W. Hill Correctional Facility is the county jail serving Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Located at 500 Cheyney Road, PO Box 23, in Thornton, PA 19373, the facility is a roughly 1,883-bed correctional complex that houses adults arrested in Delaware County who are awaiting trial, as well as individuals serving shorter sentences. The facility has a notable history: for many years it was the only privately operated county jail in Pennsylvania, but Delaware County returned it to public operation in 2022. If you have a loved one held here, this guide explains how to find them, stay connected, and support them through the process.
About the George W. Hill Correctional Facility
The George W. Hill Correctional Facility — often referred to locally as "the George W. Hill" or "Delaware County Prison" — serves the populous Delaware County, located immediately southwest of Philadelphia. After decades of private operation under contractors, Delaware County took the facility back under public control in April 2022, a significant reform driven by concerns about conditions and accountability under private management. The facility is now operated directly by the county.
For general jail inquiries, call the Detention Office at 610-891-4296. For phone discount plans, money transfer, and mail services, call 610-361-3200. The facility's information is available through the Delaware County website at delcopa.gov/prison. The records-on-file figure associated with this listing reflects historical booking records accumulated over time, not the current population.
How to Find an Inmate at George W. Hill
You can locate someone at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility through the Delaware County inmate lookup system, or by calling the Detention Office at 610-891-4296. Have the person's full legal name and date of birth ready. You can also search PrisonAssist.com for historical booking records, or use VINELink (vinelink.com) for status tracking and notifications.
New bookings can take a few hours to appear in the system, so if a name doesn't come up right away, call the Detention Office or try again later. Once you confirm the inmate's location and ID number, keep that number handy — you'll need it for visiting registration, mail, phone, and commissary deposits.
Visiting Someone at George W. Hill
The George W. Hill Correctional Facility uses an online scheduling system for visits through GTL. Here's the process:
Getting Approved and Scheduling
- The incarcerated individual must submit a visitor's list to their Case Manager for approval.
- Once approved, the visitor begins the online registration process at delawarecountypa.gtlvisitme.com/app, creating a username and providing visitor information.
- Await confirmation via email.
- Upon approval, log back into the website to select an available time slot for the visit.
Visiting Hours
Visitation hours are generally Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–9:00 PM and Saturday–Sunday 7:30 AM–2:30 PM. Always confirm the current schedule and whether visits are in person or via video, as the facility's policies have evolved since the county resumed operations. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, dress conservatively, and ensure minors are accompanied by an approved adult.
Sending Mail to George W. Hill
To send mail to a detainee at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, address it as follows:
[Inmate Full Name], [Inmate ID]
500 Cheyney Road, PO Box 23
Thornton, PA 19373
All incoming mail is inspected for contraband. No packages are permitted without prior approval from the facility administration. Include your full return address on every item. Prohibited items include cash, stamps, stickers, glitter, and anything that could carry drugs. The facility may process general correspondence through a scanning system — call 610-361-3200 to confirm current mail procedures. PrisonAssist.com also offers a letter service that formats and mails correspondence to meet facility requirements.
Phone Calls and Messaging at George W. Hill
Phone and messaging services at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility are provided through GTL / GettingOut (ViaPath). The facility contracts with GTL GettingOut for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate. To receive calls and send messages:
- Create an account at gettingout.com.
- Fund your account and register your phone number.
- The inmate can call you (outbound only — inmates cannot receive incoming calls), and you can exchange secure messages and photos.
- All calls except confidential legal calls are recorded and monitored.
For help with phone discount plans, money transfer, and messaging, call 610-361-3200. PrisonAssist.com can also help set up lower-cost calling options.
Sending Money and Commissary to George W. Hill
Money deposited into an inmate's account funds commissary purchases and communications. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. There is usually a monthly commissary spending limit ranging from $200 to $300. Deposit options:
- Online portal: Through the GTL/GettingOut portal at gettingout.com.
- By phone: Call 610-361-3200 for money transfer assistance.
- Lobby kiosk: Where available at the facility.
You'll need the inmate's name and ID number for any deposit. Contact the facility at 610-361-3200 to confirm current spending limits and accepted deposit methods. Keep your receipts.
Posting Bail at George W. Hill
After an arrest in Delaware County, bail is set at a preliminary arraignment, typically conducted by a magisterial district judge within hours of arrest. The process works as follows:
- Booking and arraignment: The arrested person is processed and brought before a magistrate who sets bail.
- Bail set: Bail can range from Release on Recognizance (ROR) to a monetary amount based on the charges and risk factors.
- Posting bail: Pay the full bail amount directly, or use a licensed Pennsylvania bondsman who charges a non-refundable premium (typically around 10%).
- Release: Once bail is posted and processing is complete, the person is released, usually within a few hours.
Numerous licensed bail bond agencies serve Delaware County. To find one, search "bail bonds Delaware County PA" or contact PrisonAssist.com for referrals. Posting bail allows release pending the court date — it does not resolve the charges, and missing court results in forfeited bail and a warrant.
Programs and Services at the Facility
Since returning to public operation in 2022, Delaware County has worked to improve programming and conditions at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility. Services include:
- Medical and Mental Health Services: On-site medical care and mental health screening, with reforms aimed at improving behavioral health treatment.
- Substance Abuse Treatment: Programs addressing addiction, including medication-assisted treatment.
- Educational Programming: GED preparation and adult literacy instruction.
- Reentry Services: Connections to housing, employment, and treatment resources upon release.
- Faith-Based Programming: Chaplaincy and volunteer-led faith programs.
Delaware County in Pennsylvania's Two-Tier System
Pennsylvania separates county jails (like George W. Hill) from the state Department of Corrections. County jails handle pretrial detention and sentences under two years; the state system handles longer sentences. If your loved one is sentenced to two years or more, they will likely be transferred to a Pennsylvania state prison, where procedures differ. Track any transfer using the PA DOC inmate locator at cor.pa.gov. The return of George W. Hill to public operation reflects a broader statewide and national conversation about accountability and conditions in county corrections.
The History and Reform of George W. Hill
The George W. Hill Correctional Facility holds a unique place in Pennsylvania corrections history as the state's only formerly privately operated county jail. For decades, the facility was run by private contractors, an arrangement that drew sustained criticism over conditions, medical care, and accountability. In April 2022, Delaware County made the significant decision to return the facility to public operation — a process known as "deprivatization." Since then, the county has worked to improve oversight, medical and mental health care, and programming. For families, this transition means that policies and procedures are evolving, so it is especially important to confirm the current rules for visiting, mail, phone, and commissary by calling the facility directly rather than relying on outdated information.
Supporting a Loved One at George W. Hill
Most people at George W. Hill are pretrial detainees whose Delaware County cases are moving through the Court of Common Pleas. After the preliminary arraignment where bail is set, the case proceeds through hearings and potentially trial. The Delaware County Public Defender's Office represents those who cannot afford an attorney and is a key advocate for pretrial release. Delaware County also offers diversion programs and specialty courts that can divert eligible individuals into treatment rather than incarceration — ask the defendant's attorney about eligibility. Families can best support a loved one by staying in regular contact through GettingOut messaging and calls, ensuring access to their attorney, keeping organized records of the inmate ID and court dates, and planning for a stable situation upon release. As the county continues to improve conditions post-deprivatization, family engagement and advocacy remain valuable.
Delaware County's Continued Investment in the Facility
Since returning the George W. Hill Correctional Facility to public operation in 2022, Delaware County has continued investing in oversight, staffing, healthcare, and programming. A board of inspectors and county officials now provide direct accountability that did not exist under private management. For families, this means an evolving environment in which policies, vendors, and procedures may continue to change as the county refines its facility operations. The practical takeaway is to always verify current information — visiting procedures, mail rules, phone and commissary vendors, and deposit limits — directly with the facility at 610-361-3200 or the Detention Office at 610-891-4296, rather than relying on older third-party sources. Families with concerns about conditions or care can raise them through the facility's grievance process and with county officials, who now bear direct responsibility for the institution. Engaged family advocacy has been an important part of the reform story at George W. Hill and continues to matter.
Final Guidance for Families at George W. Hill
For families with a loved one at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, the keys to effective support are staying informed and staying connected. Because the facility's policies have been evolving since Delaware County resumed public operation in 2022, always verify current procedures directly with the facility. Set up your GettingOut account early to maintain phone and message contact, ensure your loved one is added to the visitor list so you can schedule visits, and keep organized records of the inmate ID, charges, and court dates. The Delaware County Public Defender represents those who cannot afford counsel and is a critical advocate. Begin reentry planning early — arranging housing, employment, and any needed treatment — so that the transition home is as smooth and stable as possible. Family engagement remains one of the strongest predictors of successful reentry and reduced recidivism.
Support Resources for Families
- Detention Office: 610-891-4296
- Phone/Money/Mail Services: 610-361-3200
- Facility Info: delcopa.gov/prison
- Visit Scheduling: delawarecountypa.gtlvisitme.com/app
- Getting Out (Phone/Messaging/Deposits): gettingout.com
- PrisonAssist.com: Inmate search, letter service, care packages, phone help, bail help
Inmate service providers at George W. Hill Correctional Facility - Delaware County Prison
Like most US jails and prisons, George W. Hill Correctional Facility - Delaware County Prison relies on private companies for phone calls, video visits, money transfers, and care packages, each with its own fees and sign-up steps. Nationwide the most common providers are Securus and ViaPath (GTL) for calls and video, JPay and Access Corrections for sending money, and Access Securepak for care packages.
Not sure which company serves George W. Hill Correctional Facility - Delaware County Prison? Our inmate service provider directory explains how each one works, what it charges, and how to set up an account before you pay.