660 Baylor Boulevard
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 577-3004
WARDEN: Patrick Ryan
DEPUTY WARDEN: Grace Martin
The
Baylor Women's Correctional Institution (BWCI) - the only women's
prison in the state - opened December 29, 1991. The facility houses
both pre-trial and sentenced adult females at minimum, medium, and
maximum security levels.
BWCI provides programming at all
security levels. Programming provides offenders with opportunities to
gain knowledge, acquire skills and learn an alternative life-style.
BWCI provides treatment services, religious services, drug therapy, educational/vocational programs, counseling, and recreation.
On
June 14, 1995 Governor Thomas R. Carper signed Senate Joint Resolution
no. 25, which authorized then-Corrections Commissioner Robert J. Watson
to name the Women's Correctional Institution as the Delores J. Baylor
Women's Correctional Institution. Delores J. Baylor was the first
African-American to hold a warden's position in the State of Delaware.
She was also the first African-American female to hold such a
position. Baylor began her employment with the Department of
Correction as a Field Service Counselor and was subsequently promoted
to Field Counselor II and III. On June 1, 1974, Baylor was promoted to
Correctional Superintendent I at the Women's Correctional Institution,
performing her duties in an outstanding manner.
On March
20, 1979, the 130th Delaware General Assembly recognized Delores J.
Baylor for outstanding service with the Department of Corrections. On
June 1, 1979, Delores Baylor was promoted to Warden of the Women's
Correctional Institution. Baylor remained Warden of the Women's
Correctional Institution until her death on March 20, 1983.
DELORES J. BAYLOR WOMEN'S CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
BWCI VILLAGE FAST FACTS
BWCI Village, at the Delores J. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution in New Castle,
is Delaware's first prison-based therapeutic community for female inmates with a history
of substance abuse. BWCI Village, which started in 1994, is one of the few prison-based
treatment programs in the nation designed specifically for female offenders.
Approximately 40 female inmates live in the self-contained therapeutic community. All
BWCI Village activities take place within the housing area. Village inmates are separated
from the rest of the general prison population, which can hinder rehabilitation.
The treatment perspective of the BWCI Village program is that drug abuse is a disorder
of the whole person; addiction is the symptom, not the essence of the disorder. The
primary goal is to change negative patterns of behavior, thinking and feeling that
predispose one toward drug abuse.
Many of the BWCI Village "family members" were originally incarcerated for
drug trafficking.
Of those women who have completed BWCI Village, Crest Outreach Center and Aftercare,
none has returned to prison since being released.
BWCI Village provides a disciplined, regimented, 12- to 18-month routine for family
members. They do not have access to television or telephones during the day. Free time for
Village family members can be taken away as a consequence of inappropriate behavior.
The responsibilities given to each BWCI Village family member are essential to
treatment. For example, some family members are part of the service crew, which performs a
variety of functions including cleaning the housing area and serving meals.
The children of BWCI Village offenders who are progressing in treatment are
occasionally allowed to stay overnight at the facility in an effort to encourage stronger
and more appropriate nuclear family relationships.
BWCI family members must meet with staff members regularly each week. Family members
have access to staff counselors seven days a week should they need to discuss issues
family members are facing.
Visitation Rules/Procedures
-
Inmate visits can be scheduled for Thursdays through Mondays
at the following times:
10:00am - 11:00am; 11:30am - 12:30pm; 1:00pm - 2:00pm; 2:30pm - 3:30pm
-
Visits must be scheduled in advance. Visitors must call
(302) 577-5837, Sunday through Wednesday evenings 5:00pm - 10:00pm to
schedule an inmate visit for the following Thursday - Monday.
-
Inmate visits last up to 1 hour
-
Three persons may visit an inmate for 1 hour or the visit
may be split up to 6 persons for 1/2 hour (3 the first 1/2 hour and 3
the 2nd 1/2 hour)
-
Depending on the circumstances, visits can be either Contact
or No-Contact
-
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.
-
Visitors are permitted to bring a money order, car keys and identification
only.
-
A picture identification is required for all visitors. Usually a driver's
license or other form of I.D. can be used. For individuals under 16-years old,
any picture I.D. would suffice.
- 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 by visitors inside the compound.
- 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 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
Baylor Women's Correctional Institution
660 Baylor Boulevard
New Castle, DE 19720