What is Work Release?

The Department of Correction can classify a person to serve the last 180 days of their sentence at a Level 4 facility based on their criminal history, behavior while incarcerated and risk score. A Judge may also sentence your Loved One to Level 4 Work Release, a Treatment Center or Home Confinement. Your Loved One can petition the Judge to change the sentencing from one to the other, depending on their situation.

The Level 4 Centers for Work Release are:

• Plummer Community Corrections Center at 38 Todd Lane, Wilmington; 302-761-2800
• Sussex Community Corrections Center at 23207 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown; 302-856-5790
• Hazel D. Plant Women’s Treatment Facility at 620 Baylor Blvd, New Castle; 302-777-6800
• Community Corrections Treatment Center at 875 Smyrna Landing Rd, Smyrna; 302-659-6100

These sentences are usually for 6 months to a year, though sometimes longer. Generally, on arrival at a Level 4 Center, your Loved One may have to do a substance abuse program to be completed before the possibility of looking for employment. They may have to be quarantined for a time to acclimate to the new environment and new rules. During this time, they will meet with a Counselor who will begin their Case Management. The Counselor will try to get them an ID, Birth Certificate and Social Security Card so they can begin looking for employment. Many times, looking for work will involve completing job applications on-line. Sometimes, the Counselor will have employers signed up to accept a new employee.

At the present time, if your Loved One has been convicted of a sexual offense, they will NOT be allowed to seek outside employment. However, they may be allowed to work in the kitchen or other jobs at the Community Corrections Centers. They may be better off asking the Judge for Home Confinement or just keep their head down and let the time pass while figuring out what their next steps will be.

There will be a small window of time that you will be able to bring your Loved One some regular clothing and toiletries, this differs with each facility. Have your Loved One send you the list of items and time periods for drop off. They may be able to have a certain amount of Cash “on hand” for snacks and drinks in the vending machines; but again, check with the facility using this link: https://doc.delaware.gov/views/comm_corrections.blade.shtml.

Closer to the end of their sentence, they may be able to receive passes to come home for the day and later, even a weekend if they have an approved “host” with whom they can stay. During Covid, this privilege has been cancelled for obvious reasons. If they do get outside employment, they will only be allowed out for the time it takes to get to and from work. DO NOT try to see them during this time as they will receive a violation and be sent back to prison. At Work Release, your Loved One is still allowed to call you and send letters. Some facilities will allow visits, but most prefer that you “host” them for a weekend.