County correctional facility
George W. Hill Correctional Facility
- Run by Delaware County
- Holds people awaiting trial and certain sentenced people
- Releases people when court-ordered bail or release conditions are met and no other hold applies
AVAILABLE 24/7
George W. Hill Correctional Facility Bail Bonds & Jail Guide
Delaware County, PA | Jail & Bail Bonds Information
George W. Hill Correctional Facility is Delaware County's county jail, located in Thornton, Pennsylvania. Families looking for custody information, bail payment procedures or release guidance can use this resource to understand the process and find official facility contacts.
Center City Bail Bonds provides private bail bond assistance for qualifying Delaware County cases. Bail and release remain subject to court orders, facility requirements and any additional holds.
Delaware County Correctional FacilityThornton, Pennsylvania24/7 Private Bail Assistance from Center City (not jail hours)Jail main line 610-361-3200
George W. Hill Quick Facts
Official facility information from Delaware County. The facility and Center City Bail Bonds are separate: Center City is a private company in Philadelphia and does not operate the jail.
Facility
George W. Hill Correctional Facility
Delaware County Jail
Address
500 Cheyney Road
Thornton, PA 19373 (facility location)
Facility Type
County Correctional Facility
Pretrial and certain sentenced custody
County-Listed Bail Payment Window
8:00 PM to 8:00 AM
Eligible after-hours bail payments, subject to facility verification and other outstanding issues. Not the jail's operating or visiting hours.
Official sources:George W. Hill Facility Page(opens in a new tab)Bail and Releases(opens in a new tab)
About George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Delaware County
George W. Hill Correctional Facility is Delaware County's correctional facility, also referred to as the Delaware County Jail or Delaware County Prison. It sits at 500 Cheyney Road in Thornton, in the western part of the county, several miles from the courthouse in Media.
The county describes its population as pre-trial and sentenced adult men and women, along with youthful offenders, who are remanded to the facility by Delaware County law enforcement consistent with court commitment documents and Pennsylvania Title 37. In plain terms, people are held there because a court order or lawful custody process placed them there.
The facility is run by Delaware County. Detention and release operations are separate from a judicial bail decision: the facility holds people and processes releases, while bail and release conditions come from an authorized court. George W. Hill is a county correctional institution, not a Magisterial District Court and not a Pennsylvania state prison.
Population numbers change daily, and this guide does not state a fixed population or capacity. For current operational information, use the county's official facility pages.
County Custody vs. State Prison
Pennsylvania state correctional institution
SCI Chester
- Run by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
- Holds people serving state prison sentences
- An existing state sentence is not normally resolved by posting bail with a county jail
Someone serving a state sentence may also have a new case with its own bail order, but satisfying that bail does not end the state sentence. Ask the court or a lawyer about the person's specific status.
Official sources:Facility Overview(opens in a new tab)Leadership and Staff(opens in a new tab)
How to Find Someone at George W. Hill Correctional Facility
There is no simulated search on this page, and the Center City form is not a government inmate database. The reliable way to confirm whether someone is at George W. Hill is to contact the facility directly.
Gather as much identifying information as you can before you call so staff can find the right person. Privacy rules and access restrictions apply, and staff may not be able to share everything over the phone.
Gather before you call
- Full legal name
- Date of birth, if known
- Arrest date
- Arresting agency, if known
- Booking or identification number, if available
- Criminal docket or case number, if available
George W. Hill Main Line
Start here for general custody questions.
Proof of Incarceration
The county's Records page lists extension 300 for proof-of-incarceration requests.
Release Questions
Director of Records, extension 316. The county also lists an Assistant Director at extension 317.
The Pennsylvania UJS Case Search shows court dockets, which are a different record from current jail custody. A case appearing there does not by itself prove the person is currently held at George W. Hill.
What Happens After an Arrest in Delaware County?
A simplified eight-step view of how a case can reach George W. Hill. Each case is different, and no step has a guaranteed timeline.
Step 1: Arrest or Criminal Complaint
A police agency makes an arrest or files a complaint. Charges are accusations, not proof of guilt.
Step 2: Initial Processing and Identity Verification
The arresting agency records identity, fingerprints and charge information before the first court appearance.
Step 3: Preliminary Arraignment
An issuing authority, often a Magisterial District Judge or on-call judge, explains the charges and addresses bail under Rule 540.
Step 4: Judicial Bail or Release Decision
The court decides release conditions. Many people are released on recognizance or nonmonetary conditions.
Step 5: Possible Custody at George W. Hill
If the person cannot meet the conditions, or the court orders detention, they may be committed to George W. Hill.
Step 6: Bail Payment or Bond Arrangements
Eligible bail may be paid through an authorized pathway, or a lawful professional bail bond may be arranged where permitted.
Step 7: Facility Release Processing
The facility verifies the order, payment and any other holds before discharge. Timing is not guaranteed.
Step 8: Subsequent Court Appearances
The person must follow every release condition and attend every court date, starting with the preliminary hearing.
Keep in mind
- Not every arrested person is taken to George W. Hill.
- Not every defendant is detained after preliminary arraignment.
- Not every defendant needs to pay monetary bail; some are released on nonmonetary conditions.
- Booking and release depend on the judicial order, facility procedures and individual circumstances. No booking or release duration is guaranteed.
Need Help Understanding Bail Options?
Who Sets Bail for Someone Held at George W. Hill?
Bail is a judicial decision. The jail carries out the court's order; it does not make one. A criminal accusation is not proof of guilt.
Court Authority
An authorized Pennsylvania bail authority sets release conditions under the Rules of Criminal Procedure and the circumstances of the case. At the start of a Delaware County case that is usually a Magisterial District Judge or another authorized issuing authority; later, the Court of Common Pleas may review bail within its jurisdiction.
Jail Authority
George W. Hill staff process custody, records and release according to the court's order and facility procedures. Jail personnel do not set bail and do not substitute for the court.
Private Bail Agent
Center City Bail Bonds can discuss lawful professional bonding arrangements where they apply. Center City does not set, reduce or modify judicial bail.
Types of Release Conditions
Release on Recognizance
Release on the person's written promise to appear, without a monetary payment.
Nonmonetary Conditions
Conditions such as reporting, travel limits or no-contact orders, without money bail.
Monetary Bail
A dollar amount set by the court. The order states whether a percentage deposit is allowed.
Secured Bail Arrangements
Where authorized, bail secured by cash, property or a professional surety under Pa.R.Crim.P. 528.
Additional Compliance Conditions
Some orders add supervision or other requirements that must be met before or after release.
Continued Detention
In some circumstances the law allows bail to be denied, so the person remains detained. Not every case is eligible for a commercial bail bond.
Court guides: Delaware County Courthouse · All Delaware County courthouses · District courts below
Official sources:Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(opens in a new tab)Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(opens in a new tab)Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(opens in a new tab)Pre-Trial/Bail Services(opens in a new tab)
How to Post Bail at George W. Hill Correctional Facility
A court decides whether bail applies and what conditions are set. The facility then processes qualifying payments or release paperwork under its own published procedures. Which pathway applies depends on the case, the time of day and whether any outstanding issue exists.
The county states that George W. Hill can accept bail payment between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM, provided there are no outstanding issues. It asks anyone planning to post bail in person to contact the Records Department before arriving.
The county's Records and leadership pages list Michael Root, Director of Records, Booking and Video Services, at 610-361-3200, extension 316.
Information to prepare
- Incarcerated person's full name
- Date of birth
- Court or docket information, if available
- Court bail order, if available
- Payment information
- Identification
- Planned arrival time
Records Department
Call Before You Go
Director of Records, per the county's bail instructions. Confirm the contact is current when you call.
Important
- Do not simply walk in to post bail; follow the facility's procedure and call Records first.
- The county's after-hours, in-person instructions currently say to bring cash and a form of ID. Do not assume checks, cards or other methods are accepted for in-person bail.
- Commissary deposit methods are not bail payment methods.
Can Bail Be Paid Online for Someone at George W. Hill?
Pennsylvania's courts run PAePay Bail, an official online service for paying eligible bail. Whether online payment is available depends on the case and the court-authorized process.
The county's George W. Hill instructions say that anyone who pays online should send the payment confirmation number to the Director of Records so processing can begin.
- An online payment confirmation is not proof of physical release.
- An online payment may still need facility verification.
- Other holds can still affect discharge.
- Court payments, jail records and private bail bond arrangements are separate systems.
- Center City's website never collects official court bail payments, and our form never asks for government payment card details.
George W. Hill After-Hours Bail Posting
Delaware County's published guidance describes this period for eligible on-site bail payments when no unresolved issue prevents processing. It is not an assurance that bail can be posted in every case.
County-Published Bail Payment Window
8:00 PM to 8:00 AM
Eligible payments only, when no outstanding issue prevents processing.
Recommended Preparation
- Step 1
Confirm the Bail Order
Confirm the person's identity and the bail order that applies to the case.
- Step 2
Contact Records Before Arriving
Call the Records Department at 610-361-3200, ext. 316, before you travel.
- Step 3
Share Your Plan
Explain that you intend to post bail and give your expected arrival time.
- Step 4
Provide Identifying Details
Give the incarcerated person's name and date of birth when asked.
- Step 5
Follow Payment Instructions
Follow the facility's specific identification and payment instructions.
- Step 6
Ask About Holds
Confirm whether any outstanding issue or detainer could affect release.
County-Published Records Contact Hours
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The hours the county's instructions give for advance coordination with the Director of Records, not a guarantee of current staffed office hours.
Important Distinctions
- The bail payment window is not the same as release time.
- Payment does not guarantee immediate discharge.
- A hold or detainer may delay or prevent release.
- The facility may need to verify court orders and payment records.
- Confirm current arrangements before traveling.
How Does Release Work at George W. Hill Correctional Facility?
The county's FAQ lists 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM as typical release times. These are facility-reported typical times, not a promise about any person's discharge. Release depends on confirming the applicable orders, finishing processing and clearing or resolving any other legal hold.
Facility-Reported Typical Release Times
1:00 PM and 9:00 PM
Not guaranteed for any person.
Records: 610-361-3200 ext. 316
Release Notification
The county says the person is given the chance to make a free phone call from the Outtake Unit when being released. The facility does not promise to call every family.
Pickup Location
The county directs people picking someone up to the facility's front parking lot on Cheyney Road.
Transportation
The county says a released person without a ride is given a bus pass. Its bail page lists SEPTA Route 119 (Cheyney University to Chester Transportation Center) pickups in front of the facility after the 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM discharges; times are subject to current SEPTA schedules and facility procedures.
Community Programs
For discharges to community-based programs, the county's bail page lists separate facility contacts for substance use and mental health services.
What Can Delay Release?
- Outstanding warrants
- Detainers
- Holds from other jurisdictions
- Multiple pending cases
- Administrative verification
- Processing or record discrepancies
- Conditions that have not yet been satisfied
Center City Bail Bonds cannot override a warrant, detainer, hold or unmet condition. Ask the Records Department about outstanding issues before paying.
Official sources:Bail and Releases(opens in a new tab)Jail FAQs(opens in a new tab)Records(opens in a new tab)
How Much Might Bail Cost in Delaware County?
Bail is set case by case, and many people are released without monetary bail. When money bail is set, the order states the amount and whether a percentage deposit is allowed.
These values illustrate a possible 10% court-authorized deposit where applicable. They are not a guaranteed professional bail bond fee and do not establish eligibility for any deposit arrangement. Bail conditions are set by lawful authority.
Pennsylvania Bail Calculator
Full Monetary Bail
$10,000.00
Example 10% Court Deposit
$1,000.00
Illustration Only. Requires Court Authorization.
This calculator provides an example only. The court determines bail and whether a percentage deposit is allowed. It does not estimate bail bond company fees, guarantee release, or represent a payment quote. Contact Center City Bail Bonds to discuss your situation.
Get Bail Help NowCourt-Ordered Bail
The amount or conditions set by an authorized court.
Court-Authorized Deposit
An illustrative payment arrangement, only where the order allows it and it is permitted.
Professional Bail Bond Agreement
A separate private contract with its own lawful terms and legal requirements.
Official sources:Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(opens in a new tab)
George W. Hill Visitation Rules and Scheduling
The county publishes general visiting availability, but actual eligibility and time slots depend on housing assignments, visitor approval and the facility schedule. Walk-in visits are not automatically allowed.
The official Visitation page is the authority for the full rules, including identification, dress code and conduct. This is a short summary only.
In-Person Visitation
Monday to Friday, 8:45 AM to 10:00 PM
County-published availability, based on housing assignment and approval.
Video Visitation
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 9:55 PM
County-published availability, based on housing assignment and approval.
Scheduling requirements
- The incarcerated person submits a visitor list to their Case Manager; only approved visitors can register.
- Approved visitors register online, wait for an approval email, then log back in to choose an available slot.
- Video visits are scheduled at least 2 days and no more than 7 days in advance, and take place from a remote location.
- The county currently allows one visit per week, either video or in-person, with up to three visitors. Minors count toward the three and must be accompanied by an adult.
- Visitors must show current, valid photo identification and follow the dress code.
The county says all visitors must arrive by vehicle and may not walk along the facility grounds. Drivers need a valid license and current insurance, and Uber, Lyft and similar rideshare vehicles are not allowed on the property. For inclement weather visitation information, the county lists 610-361-3343. Check current transportation and access rules before you go.
View Official Visitation Instructions(official site, opens in a new tab)County-Linked Visit Registration(official site, opens in a new tab)The Center City form is not a visitation booking system.
Mail, Commissary and Communication at George W. Hill
Practical family-support topics, kept short so the focus stays on bail and release. Center City Bail Bonds does not operate jail visitation, inmate messaging, commissary deposits or property services.
Personal Mail
Since June 2022, personal paper mail is scanned and delivered to the person digitally on a tablet. The county's instructions give an off-site mail-scanning address in Phoenix, Maryland for personal mail, with strict formatting rules. Do not send personal letters to the Thornton facility or its administrative P.O. box; follow the county's current mail page.
Legal and Publication Mail
Attorney-client privileged mail is handled separately from scanned personal mail. Books and publications must come directly from a publisher or bookstore, and the county lists limits and prohibited items. Photo albums are not allowed.
Digital Messages
The county says digital messages and tablet funding go through an approved provider account. Access is subject to facility policy; this guide does not list prices or eligibility rules.
Commissary and Deposits
Funds for commissary or a tablet are completely separate from bail. Use only the deposit instructions on the county's current pages, and never use a commissary deposit as a bail payment.
Phone Calls
Incarcerated people may use approved phone and communication systems subject to facility policy. Contact the facility for current details.
Personal Property
Questions about stored belongings or damaged or missing property go through the county's official property inquiry process. Property cannot be collected without authorization.
Which Delaware County Courts Are Connected to George W. Hill?
Delaware County has 26 active Magisterial District Courts. They handle early criminal proceedings, including preliminary arraignments and, where applicable, preliminary hearings. Someone held at George W. Hill may have a case assigned to one of these courts.
The jail and the court are separate. None of the district courts operates inside George W. Hill, and each court has its own office and procedures. The person's jail location alone does not tell you which district court handles the case; the court records and paperwork do.
Cases held for court move to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas at the Delaware County Courthouse, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063.
Related Delaware County District Courts
Each court has its own office and procedures; none operates inside the jail. Check your paperwork for the district number.
32-1 District Courts (11)
- District Court 32-1-20Office: Chester
- District Court 32-1-21Office: Chester
- District Court 32-1-22Office: Chester
- District Court 32-1-23Office: Collingdale
- District Court 32-1-27Office: Broomall
- District Court 32-1-28Office: Media
- District Court 32-1-30Office: Folsom
- District Court 32-1-32Office: Springfield
- District Court 32-1-33Office: Upper Darby
- District Court 32-1-34Office: Upper Darby
- District Court 32-1-36Office: Linwood
32-2 District Courts (15)
- District Court 32-2-37Office: Darby
- District Court 32-2-38Office: Aston
- District Court 32-2-39Office: Brookhaven
- District Court 32-2-40Office: Glenolden
- District Court 32-2-42Office: Glenolden
- District Court 32-2-43Office: Newtown Square
- District Court 32-2-44Office: Prospect Park
- District Court 32-2-46Office: Media
- District Court 32-2-47Office: Lansdowne
- District Court 32-2-48Office: Lima
- District Court 32-2-49Office: Glen Mills
- District Court 32-2-51Office: Upper Darby
- District Court 32-2-52Office: Secane
- District Court 32-2-53Office: Havertown
- District Court 32-2-54Office: Springfield
Criminal Charges and Bail Bonds in Delaware County
The alleged charge may affect the court process or release conditions, but no charge carries a fixed bail amount, and being held at George W. Hill on an allegation does not make someone automatically eligible for a bail bond. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt.
DUI Bail Bonds
Understand release procedures after a DUI arrest.
DUI Bail Bonds GuideDrug Charge Bail Bonds
Bail information for possession, PWID, and delivery charges.
Drug Charge Bail Bonds GuideAssault Bail Bonds
Assistance with Pennsylvania assault-related bail requirements.
Assault Bail Bonds GuideDomestic Violence Bail Bonds
Guidance on domestic violence bail and court restrictions.
Domestic Violence Bail Bonds GuideFelony Bail Bonds
Explore release options for serious felony allegations.
Felony Bail Bonds GuideProbation Violation Bail Bonds
Understand detainers, violation hearings, and release limitations.
Probation Violation Bail Bonds Guide
All 17 Bail Bond Service Guides
Delaware County Families and George W. Hill
George W. Hill is the county facility for all of Delaware County. There is one jail in Thornton, not a separate jail in each town. Families from any of the county's 49 municipalities may deal with the same facility when someone is committed to county custody. Each town guide below explains its local courts and police.
- CityChester
- TownshipUpper Darby
- BoroughMedia
- TownshipSpringfield
- TownshipAston
- TownshipMiddletown
- TownshipRidley Township
- TownshipHaverford
- TownshipRadnor
- TownshipUpper Chichester
George W. Hill Correctional Facility Location and Directions
The facility is at 500 Cheyney Road in Thornton; the county says Cheyney Road is off Baltimore Pike (US Route 1). Visitors must arrive by vehicle. Parking and entry follow posted signs and facility instructions; this guide makes no parking promises.
Physical Facility Address
George W. Hill Correctional Facility
500 Cheyney Road, Thornton, PA 19373
Administrative mailing address: P.O. Box 23, Thornton, PA 19373. Personal mail to an incarcerated person goes elsewhere; see the mail section above.
Main Facility
General questions and custody information.
Records and Release Questions
Director of Records.
Proof of Incarceration
Proof-of-incarceration requests.
Visitation Information
Rules, registration and schedules.
Inclement Weather Visitation
County-listed weather line for visits.
Facility Fax
Official fax listed on the county's facility pages.
Separate Private Office
Center City Bail Bonds
1238 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 · (215) 870-8197
Our Philadelphia office is not a George W. Hill location.
What to Have Ready When Asking About Bail or Release
- 01
Person's Full Name
Use their full legal name so staff can find the right person.
- 02
Date of Birth
Provide it when asked to help identify the correct person.
- 03
Court Information
Gather a docket number, court number or hearing notice if you have one.
- 04
Bail Order
Use the official order to understand the authorized release conditions.
- 05
ID and Payment Requirements
Follow the facility's current instructions for the bail payment pathway that applies.
- 06
Release Transportation
Plan a pickup where appropriate, but do not travel based only on an estimated release time.
Our form never asks for Social Security numbers, bank logins or health information, and you do not need to upload court or jail records.
George W. Hill Correctional Facility FAQs
Answers about custody, bail posting, release, visitation and contacts.
George W. Hill Correctional Facility is at 500 Cheyney Road, Thornton, PA 19373. The county says Cheyney Road is off Baltimore Pike (US Route 1). It is a separate location from the Delaware County Courthouse in Media and from the 26 district court offices.
Yes. George W. Hill Correctional Facility is Delaware County's county correctional facility and is also called the Delaware County Jail or Delaware County Prison. It is a county jail, not a Pennsylvania state prison such as SCI Chester.
The main number is 610-361-3200. For release questions, the county lists the Director of Records at extension 316; for proof of incarceration, extension 300. Center City Bail Bonds' number, 215-870-8197, is a separate private company line.
Call the facility at 610-361-3200 with the person's full legal name and date of birth, plus any arrest date, arresting agency or booking number you have. Staff may be limited in what they can share. A court docket is not proof of current custody, and the Center City form is not an inmate search.
Use the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Case Search at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch with the person's name or a docket number. Public information can be limited or delayed, and the official court notice governs court dates.
An authorized Pennsylvania bail authority, usually a Magisterial District Judge or another issuing authority at preliminary arraignment, sets the release conditions. The Court of Common Pleas may review bail later. Jail staff process custody and release but do not set bail.
The county says bail payment can be accepted at the facility between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM, provided there are no outstanding issues. It asks you to contact the Records Department first, and its in-person instructions say to bring cash and identification. It is not available in every case.
Contact the Director of Records at 610-361-3200, ext. 316, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM before you go. Explain that you plan to post bail, give your arrival time and the person's name and date of birth. Records checks for outstanding issues and tells you the next steps.
Often, through Pennsylvania's official PAePay Bail service at ujsportal.pacourts.us/PAePayBail. Availability depends on the case. The county asks you to send the confirmation number to the Director of Records so processing can begin. A confirmation is not proof of release.
Have the person's full name and date of birth, any court or docket information, the bail order if you have it, your payment information, your identification and your planned arrival time.
There is no guaranteed time. The facility must verify the order and payment and check for other holds. The county lists 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM as typical release times, but no one can promise a release at either time.
A separate warrant, detainer or hold from another case or jurisdiction can delay or prevent release even after bail is paid on one case. Ask the Records Department about outstanding issues before paying.
The county's FAQ lists typical release times of 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM. The person is given a chance to make a free call from the Outtake Unit, and pickup is at the front parking lot on Cheyney Road.
The incarcerated person first adds you to their visitor list through their Case Manager. Once approved, you register on the county-linked visitation portal, wait for an approval email and then choose a time slot. Follow the county's official Visitation page for all rules.
Follow the county's Sending Mail page: personal mail goes to an off-site scanning address with strict formatting rules, not to the Thornton facility. Digital messages and deposits use the county's approved providers. Commissary deposits are never bail payments.
Center City Bail Bonds is a private company, not part of the jail or courts. We can explain the bail order, point you to the right official contacts and discuss lawful professional bail bond assistance where the case qualifies. Call 215-870-8197 any time or use the form.
Visit Our Philadelphia Office
Center City Bail Bonds
1238 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
24/7 bail assistance