Information For & About People in Prison - Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections (2024)

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• PREA Annual Report 2012
• PREA Annual Report 2013
• PREA Annual Report 2014
• PREA Annual Report 2015
• PREA Annual Report 2016
• PREA Annual Report 2017
• PREA Annual Report 2018
• PREA Annual Report 2019
• PREA Annual Report 2020
• PREA Annual Report 2021
• PREA Annual Report 2022

PREA Audit Reports for Individual State Correctional Facilities

Each state-run prison is audited every three years by a PREA certified auditor with the U.S. Department of Justice. Below are the most current audits for each of Louisiana’s state-run prisons. PREA Standard 115.403(f) states “The agency shall ensure that the auditor’s final report is published on the agency’s website if it has one, or is otherwise made readily available to the public.”

PREA Audit Reports

• Allen Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2021
• Allen Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2019
• Allen Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2015
• David Wade Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2021
• David Wade Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2017
• David Wade Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2015
• Dixon Corretional Institute PREA Audit Report 2021
• Dixon Correctional Institute PREA Audit Report 2018
• Dixon Correctional Institute PREA Audit Report 2016
• Elayn Hunt Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2023
• Elayn Hunt Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2020
• Elayn Hunt Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2017
• Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women PREA Audit Report 2019
• Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women PREA Audit Report 2016
• Louisiana State Penitentiary PREA Audit Report 2023
• Louisiana State Penitentiary PREA Audit Report 2019
• Louisiana State Penitentiary PREA Audit Report 2016
• Rayburn Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2022
• Rayburn Correction Center PREA Audit Report 2017
• Rayburn Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2015
• Raymond Laborde Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2021
• Raymond Laborde Correctional Center PREA Audit Report -2018
• Raymond Laborde Correctional Center PREA Audit Report 2015

FAQs

• What agencies comprise the Department of Public Safety and Corrections?

  The set-up of the Department can be confusing to many people. Constitutionally, it is one Department. Practically, the Department is divided into three areas:

  1. Corrections Services oversees the assignment and care of adults in prison, including those under Probation and/or Parole supervision.

  2. Public Safety Services is comprised of Louisiana State Police, the Office of Motor Vehicles, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Highway Safety Commission.

  3. Office of Juvenile Justice is responsible for youth in juvenile detention centers or under supervision.

  Each entity reports directly to the Governor. The Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections oversees Corrections Services.

  Read more about the three areas here.

• Why aren’t all people serving time for state felonies in Louisiana housed in state facilities?

  At present, there are more than 36,000 people serving time for state felonies. Louisiana simply doesn’t have the capacity to house all of the people serving time for these crimes in state correctional facilities. Capacity at state facilities is just under 19,000. Therefore, the state relies upon parish and private facilities throughout Louisiana to house and care for people remanded to DPS&C custody. The state reimburses these entities for housing people remanded to DPS&C custody.

• Does the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections have rules for people in prison and how are those rules communicated to them?

  As part of the orientation process, people in prison are notified of the rules and procedures that govern them while incarcerated.Disciplinary Rules and Procedures for Adult Offendersis also known as theOffender Rulebookand people in prison have access to the rulebook at all state correctional facilities, as well as at local level parish and private jails where people in DPS&C custody may be assigned. As such, when people in prison have questions or concerns, they should refer to theOffender Rulebookfor guidance and proper procedure in dealing with their concerns.

  We encourage families to understand that part of the rehabilitation process for a person while incarcerated is learning to accept responsibility for oneself and following the rules and procedures for obtaining information or addressing grievances about situations that affect him or her. Any correctional officer or the person in prison’s classification officer will be able to assist them should they need help understanding appropriate procedure. As such, inquiries should be initiated by the person in prison through the appropriate staff member where he/she is assigned and not through a family member.

• How does a person in prison file a grievance about a particular issue?

  People in prison are first encouraged to speak with staff if they have an issue of concern or need. However, if for some reason communicating with a staff member is not helpful, they are asked to put their concerns in writing and submit the letter to appropriate staff. Lastly, if these mechanisms do not answer their question or address their grievance, they may submit the issue through the Administrative Remedy Procedure (ARP).

  The Department and all local jails housing people in DPS&C custody have established Administrative Remedy Procedures (ARP) through which an imprisoned person may, in writing, request a formal review of a complaint related to any aspect of his/her incarceration. Such complaints include actions pertaining to conditions of confinement, personal injuries, medical malpractice, time computations, or challenges to rules, regulations, policies, or statutes. Through this procedure, people in prison shall receive reasonable responses and, where appropriate, meaningful remedies.

• How can an individual in prison be transferred to another facility?

  Individuals in prison are assigned to facilities based on custody classification, space availability, level of care designations (medical and/or mental health), and many other contributing factors. While DPS&C would like to make assignments with only geographical considerations in mind, it is not possible to do this based on the demand for beds in various areas of the state. As such, people in prison are placed in locations that best meet their needs and the space needs of the Department. Written transfer requests should be initiated by the person in prison to the Warden of the facility at which he/she is assigned. The request should include specific explanations for the transfer. When people in prison are moved into state operated facilities, they are usually first processed through the Adult Reception and Diagnostic Center (ARDC) at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center (for males) or the Louisiana Correctional Center for Women (for females) before being assigned to a permanent location. Headquarters does not get involved in specific transfer requests, as assignments are coordinated through the appropriate classification process at the assigning facility or local jail.

• How can I obtain a person in prison's release date?

  If a person in prison’s release date has been calculated, you can contact the Department’s automated system at (225) 383-4580 with the imprisoned person’s name and either his/her date of birth or DPS&C number to find out his/her release date, facility, or P&P District Office to which he/she is assigned and contact information for those locations. If there is no date available on this system, the time calculation has not been completed yet and callers are encouraged to call again later. This system is automatically updated and will have the information as soon as it is available. If a person has recently been sentenced to DPS&C custody, the Department has to receive official paperwork from the sentencing court in order to calculate the person’s release date. For additional information on time computation related issues, you can call our automated system at (225) 342-0799.

• What if the person in prison disagrees with the time computation used to determine a release date?

  Every imprisoned individual is sent a copy of his or her Master Prison Record document reflecting the calculation of his/her sentence when the calculation is complete. If there are questions about time computation, people housed in state facilities should write the Records Office at their assigned facility. For people housed in local facilities, they are advised to submit their questions in writing following the Administrative Remedy Process. While people in prison often ask family members or friends to contact the Office of Adult Services on their behalf about time computation questions, the imprisoned person should be encouraged to follow appropriate procedures to ensure that staff has the information and time needed to respond to his or her concerns.

• Can people in prison earn credit for participation in certain educational or rehabilitative programs?

  People in prison who participate in Certified Treatment Rehabilitation Programs can write the program coordinator if they have questions about their eligibility for program credits. Credits for program completion can take up to 90 days, though they are usually awarded within a few weeks. They are prioritized based on the person’s discharge date. People in prison who do not agree with credits given for any particular program may file a grievance under the Administrative Remedy Procedure as noted in Time Computation Section.

• How does a person in prison sign up for educational and rehabilitative programs?

  People in prison may request to participate in programs through Classification in state facilities and through program coordinators at the local facilities. Requests should be submitted in writing to the appropriate person by the person in prison. Staff in state facilities and/or program coordinators at local facilities may then enroll eligible and suitable imprisoned people in programs based upon identified need and other suitability factors.

• How does an imprisoned individual get into the Transitional Work Program, formerly known as Work Release?

  An imprisoned individual’s work release eligibility date is noted on the Master Prison Record as “WRE.” The Office of Adult Services will automatically evaluate an imprisoned person’s eligibility for this program when he or she becomes eligible. If an imprisoned person has questions about his/her eligibility for the Transitional Work Program, he/she should write the Records Office at the facility where he/she is assigned. Unless precluded by law or Department regulation, in general people in prison are eligible for the Transitional Work Program up to four years prior to their discharge date. There are some instances in which an imprisoned person’s eligibility is limited to the 6 months or 12 months of his or her incarceration, based on his or her offense and time served. Staff will be able to assist the imprisoned person in understanding when he or she will be eligible for Transitional Work Program participation.

  Eligibility does not ensure placement in the Transition Work Program as there are usually more people in prison eligible than there are jobs available. The Department makes every effort to place eligible people in the program, although it may not be for the entire period of their eligibility.

• What are the Department’s procedures for allowing people in prison to make phone calls?

  All people in prison should only have access to telephone services through the provided phone system at the facility where they are assigned. Each person imprisoned at state operated correctional facilities is limited to having up to 20 approved numbers on his/her master telephone list. This includes all family, personal and legal contacts. Changes to the imprisoned person’s master telephone list can be made on a quarterly basis and is directed by the administration of the facility. To set up billing accounts for phone service or if there are problems receiving calls, family members may contact 1-800-844-6591 for telephone related inquiries. Prison telephone services are currently provided bySecurus Technologies. The staff at this number and website will not be able to assist in approval of contact lists.

  People incarcerated in local level facilities must utilize the phone systems that are set up in those facilities. Information on how to use the system can be obtained from the staff at the assigned facility by the imprisoned person.

  In no instance is a person in prison allowed to possess or utilize a cellular telephone while incarcerated. Family and friends are warned not to send or bring cellular telephones to people in prison and doing so will result in prosecution for introduction of contraband into a correctional facility and may be subject to a fine up to $2,000 and up to five years in prison.

• What are the rules for visiting people in prison?

  View our visitor information here.

• What are the rules for visiting convicted sex offenders?

  People who have a current or prior conviction for a sex crime involving a minor child family member, or who have a documented history of sex abuse with a minor child family member, are ineligible to visit with any minor child, including their own biological or step-child.

  People who have a current or prior conviction for a sex crime involving a minor child who is not a family member are ineligible to visit with any minor child. However, at the warden’s discretion, sex offenders may be authorized to visit with their own biological child. The legal guardian shall submit a written request and shall accompany the minor child during the visit. If approved by the warden, the visit may be contact or non-contact at the warden’s discretion.

  The warden may consider special visits for sex offenders who have successfully completed or are participating satisfactorily in sex offender treatment when the legal guardian has submitted a written request and accompanies the minor child during the visit.

  The legal guardian may be permitted to name another individual (other than the legal guardian) who is on the imprisoned person’s visiting list to accompany the minor child for a visit. The legal guardian shall provide a written, notarized statement authorizing a specific individual to accompany the minor child.

• How are disciplinary matters handled as it relates to people in prison? What about their right to appeal?

  People in prison are put on notice about how the disciplinary process works while incarcerated and the procedures are outlined in the rulebook. They are also advised of their right to appeal at the time of a disciplinary hearing and the appeal must be submitted to the facility at which the hearing occurred. Any issues regarding disciplinary matters should be handled through these procedures. An imprisoned person who needs help understanding these procedures may ask staff at the facility where he or she is housed for assistance.

• Can people in prison receive packages and mail (letters and publications) from family and friends?

  Upon intake into a state facility, imprisoned people are provided information in writing about the Department’s rules for handling mail to people in prison, utilizing the “Notification of Mail Handling” form. People in prison are not allowed to receive packages, publications, greeting cards, or post cards from their families. People in prison may only receive packages through Union Supply Direct, who is the approved package vendor for the Department. Family, friends, and people in prison may purchase packages. Please visitUnion Supply’s websitefor more information regarding ordering periods.

  However, family and friends are allowed to send correspondence (letters), which must be addressed to the facility to which the imprisoned person is housed and must include the person’s name and DPS&C number on the envelope. In addition, do not send cash or stamps through the mail or photographs that have a hardback. These particular items will be rejected and cash will be confiscated.

• Can I send money to a person in prison?

  People in prison can receive money in the following ways:

  1. Byalk-up locations for Money Gram;
  2. Internet atwww.jpay.com;
  3. JPay kiosks;
  4. Mail to JPay at P.O. Box 531370, Miami Shores, FL 33153; or
  5. Telephone at 800-574-5729

  Details on sending money to people in prison can be found here.

  Funds cannot be sent to imprisoned people from other imprisoned people or the families of other imprisoned people without prior approval of the Warden. Funds cannot be sent to people in prison from people who were formerly imprisoned or their families, or employees and their families

  If an imprisoned person has questions about their financial account, he or she is encouraged to ask staff or write a letter to Inmate Banking where they are assigned and a written response will be provided explaining the finding of their account review. Families of people in prison will not be given information relative to a person in prison’s bank accounts.

• How can I access hearing schedules for the Board of Pardons and Parole?

  Pardon Board and Committee on Parole hearing information can be found here.

• How can I check on the medical/mental health of a person in prison?

  Due to confidentiality, release of medical/mental health information is strictly governed by regulation. If you are inquiring about a specific person in prison and are not authorized by regulation to access this information, appropriate release of information forms must be on file and then only authorized staff members may discuss this information with you. In these cases, you should contact the facility where the imprisoned person is housed. Please be aware that even in instances where one is authorized to access this information, only general information will be shared over the phone.

  People in prison are oriented on how to access the medical staff 24/7 at the facility where they are housed through established sick call procedures. In serious medical situations, any staff member will assist an imprisoned person in obtaining medical treatment. Medical staff will make a determination about his/her treatment.

• How can I report suspected abuse or mistreatment of a person in prison?

  Serious concerns of abuse or mistreatment that puts a person in prison in immediate danger, should be directed to the warden of the facility where that person is housed.

  View a list of facilities here.

• How can I obtain demographic information on Louisiana’s prison population?

  Please visit view the statistics section on our about page.

• Does the Department allow the purchase of imprisoned person's records?

  Under Louisiana law, particularly the provisions of R.S. 15:574.12, the records of people in prison (past, present or future), in the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Corrections Services is confidential and cannot be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to anyone. This is not to say that some information, in the hands of another state agency or subdivision of the state, is not available. However, pursuant to state law, while held by this Department, that information is confidential. Consequently, we are unable to accommodate any request for any kind of data sharing on any terms.

• How do I apply for the restoration of firearm rights?

  The only way to seek restoration of firearm rights is to apply for a pardon with restoration of firearms rights. More information on clemency can be found on the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Parole page.

• How do I apply for the restoration of voting rights?

  In Louisiana, the right to vote is automatically restored upon completion of your sentence of imprisonment, probation, or parole. Once a person has completed a sentence of imprisonment or supervision, he or she will receive documentation from the facility where he or she was incarcerated or from the probation officer stating that he or she has completed his or her sentence (if this document is lost, the returning resident will need to contact the P&P District Office where he or she was supervised or the Clerk of Courts Office). The returning resident will take this documentation to the Registrar of Voters’ Office with a completed voter registration form, where his or her name will be restored to the voting rolls.

  If convicted before the current state constitution took effect, which was January 1, 1975, a returning citizen must apply for and receive a pardon from the governor to regain his or her right to vote.

  Voters must register to vote at least 30 days prior to an election. If a voter registration application is mailed to the elections office, it must be postmarked at least 30 days prior to the election in which the voter intends to vote.