Deputy Warden: Anthony Batson

 

 

General Information

The Martin L. Forcht, Jr. Clinical Treatment Center Unit (FWCC) is located in southern Caddo Parish and is a division of David Wade Correctional Center with a rated capacity of 720 offenders. The unit currently performs special functions which include: North Louisiana Reception and Diagnostic Center, North Region Pre-Cclass of Department of Corrections offenders located in parish jails, Northwest Region Pre-Class of Department of Corrections offenders located in parish jails, Steve Hoyle Rehabilitation Program (SHRP) and the housing of geriatric offenders. The operational capacity of the institution is 690 inmates, which is divided into general population offenders, intake and diagnostic offenders and 80 SHRP offenders.  Twenty of the rated capacity beds are reserved for administrative segregation offeders.

Mission Statement:

The mission of Forcht Wade Correctional Center is to provide for custody, control, care, and treatment of adjudicated offenders through enforcement of laws and management of programs designed to insure the safety of the public, staff, and offenders and to reintegrate offenders into society.

Driving Directions:

From 1-49 going North or South:

From 1-49 take Exit 201 (Inner Loop – Hwy. 3132) going west, take the Walker Road exit.  Turn left at traffic light.  At the 4th traffic light, turn right onto Colquitt Road, Hwy. 525.  Travel approximately 8 miles.  Turn left on Hwy. 169 (Hop’s Korner Store is on the left corner).  Proceed south 1 mile.  Turn left on Hwy. 789 (in curve) and proceed south 3 miles.  Turn right at Forcht Wade sign (Caddo Drive).

Visitation Rules

The institution recognizes the importance of visitation in the maintenance of an offender’s family ties. Friends and family are encouraged to visit, but the visiting process cannot overtax the prison’s ability to process visitors and provide adequate control and supervision of visiting. The process of establishing a visitor list is referenced in Inmate Posted Policy #27:

During orientation and for two weeks thereafter, offenders are allowed the opportunity to choose up to ten (10) people for placement on his visiting list; however, no more than six (6) visitors at one time may enter the visiting room.

Establishing a visiting list may be initiated by completing DWCC Form 157, Request for Change of Visiting List, and returning it to the Visitation Department.  After forwarding Form 157 to Visitation, an offender is responsible for sending DWCC Form 151 to each person he is requesting to be placed on his approved visiting list.

DWCC Form 235 should be utilized when requesting special visit requests.  Special visit requests should be submitted to the offender’s Classification Officer at least ten (10) days prior to the visit.  Offenders assigned to Forcht Wade should submit all requests for special visits to the Support Major.

Children 14 and under do not have to be on your visitor list and may visit with an adult that is on the inmate’s approved list. Anyone age 15 years and older must be on the approved visitor list and must have a picture ID or they will not be allowed to visit.  Offenders 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, such offenders may be authorized to visit with their own biological child.  The legal guardian shal submit a written request.  If approved by the Warden, the visit may be contact or non-contact at the Warden's discretion.

A person must be discharged from probation or parole supervision for more than two (2) years, without an intervening arrest, in order to be eligible to visit.  In addition, any person who in the previous five years has three or more felony charges (regardless of disposition) will be denied approval to visit.

Visiting days are Saturday and Sunday only. Visitors may arrive between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM; and 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM for processing through visitation. No visits will begin after 3:00PM. NO VISITING IS SCHEDULED ON 5TH WEEKENDS OF THE MONTH, WHICH IS DETERMINED BY THE 5TH SUNDAY.

Visitors should be aware that visiting areas are designed to cultivate a family atmosphere for family and friends of all ages.  Visitors should dress and act accordingly. 

The following apparel is considered inappropriate and shall result in the denial of visits:

All visitors must wear shoes; house slippers and shower shoes are not allowed.  Footwear must remain on feet at all times.  These restriction apply equally to men, women and children.

The offender will be notified when someone has either been approved or denied for the visiting list. Once the offender is notified by Visitation, he is responsible for notifying the visitor that they have been approved or denied.

Cash money (only) may be deposited in an offender’s account during regular visiting days.  Any financial transactions including cash money, money orders (bank or postal) or cashier's checks for deposit into an offender's account will only be accepted at the visiting processing area.

Visitation will not be allowed while an offender is in intake status.  Once an offender is removed from intake status, visitation with immediate family members may be authorized by the receiving facility at the request of an offender.

Offenders need to ensure that their name and DOC Number are indicated on all forms and correspondence.

Special Units

Mental Health Services

Our department has multiple missions, including the FWCC Clinical Reception and Diagnostic Center, Geriatric General Population Management, Skilled Nursing Care, Mental Health/Psychiatric Treatment, and Steve Hoyle Rehabilitation Program (SHRP).

Our Clinical Reception and Diagnostic Center provides the following evaluative components as part of the intake process to approximately 40 to 50 offenders on a weekly basis.

Our department provides the following services to the general population inmates: Psychiatric Consultations, Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, Substance Abuse Treatment, Sex Offender Treatment, Anger Management, Victim’s Awareness, Parenting, Domestic Violence, and Grief and Loss. 

The skilled nursing unit (SNF) houses 48 inmates that exhibit various mental health and medical diagnoses including, Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia, and other co-occurring disorders. The SNF also has a 6 bed “End-of-Life” ward, in which our department provides spiritual and psychological services to the men after they have been given a terminal diagnosis.  

FWCC has an 80 bed substance abuse treatment program, SHRP.  This program is partially funded through the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Grant (RSAT).  Our department provides these offenders core treatmetn services including Substance Abuse Treatment, Moral Re-Conation Therapy, Anger Management, Parenting, and Victim Awareness.  The Mental Health staff facilitates approximately 20-25 hours of treatment a week.  We have an aftercare component in the Shreveport/Bossier communities so that we can follow these offenders upon release as they work and live in our local community.

The current mental health staff is comprised of a Licensed Psychologist, a Staff Psychologist, Psychological Associates, Licensed Substance Abuse Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors, and a Psychiatrist on contract.  Because of the clinical training and expertise among our staff, our department engages in collaborative relationships with several colleges and universities offering internships and training programs for students.

Medical

It is the mission of the Medical Department at FWCC to provide comprehensive health services for offenders in accordance with ACA standards and in keeping with the mission statement of the institution. The department offers professional care and provides for a systematic review of policy, procedure, and practice to offer health services and education which will enhance the ability of the individual offender to successfully reintegrate into society upon release.

Forcht Wade Correctional Center provides routine and emergency medical, dental, and mental health services. All offenders receive intake screening and orientation to medical, dental, and mental health care available at the institution. The facility has an observation area to provide twenty-four hour nursing care for convalescent and chronic care offenders. The medical staff provides assessment, follow up and education to offenders with chronic disease processes. Health Appraisals and specific plans of care are developed for each offender. A forty-eight bed skilled nursing unit provides twenty-four hour nursing care for offenders with needs ranging from sheltered housing to skilled nursing.

A Medical Director with the assistance of a staff physician and a nurse practitioner provide coverage for the offender population. Professional contracts are established to provide occupational and physical therapy, lab, x-ray, dental, optometry, and psychiatric care. Telemedicine services are available weekly and provide greater access to specialty clinic consultation on site at the facility.

Inmate Services and Special Programs

Education

Forcht Wade Correctional Center, and Louisiana Technical College – Mansfield Campus work together to offer Academic as well as Vocational classes to all eligible offenders. Each offender is screened by the education department, and is further screened by the classification department before an offender is allowed to enroll in an education program.

Adult Basic Education/GED Programs

Offenders interested in obtaining their GED, or achieving a level of academics to help them succeed in society may apply to academic school.  Offenders interested in entering an education program will be administered a (TABE) Test for Adult Basic Education. This test defines the student’s weakness and then a plan of study is designed so that the offender may meet their educational goal.

Developmental Studies

Louisiana Technical College-Mansfield offers Developmental Studies classes in Math. These classes are designed for the offender who has made a low score in the math area of the TABE test or is wishing to refresh their math skills. After successfully completing this class, students have an opportunity to earn three college credit hours.

Transition Training Grant

Through the cooperation of the United States Department of Labor and the United States Department of Education, educational programming has been designed for those offenders who are under the age of 35.  These students must have obtained their High School Diploma or GED, and are within 5 years of release. Offenders who meet the requirements for this program will have an opportunity to obtain a Certificate of Technical Competency in HVAC.

Pathways to Construction

Fast track training programs are offered to assist in the state’s rebuilding efforts as a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, by training state offenders who are nearing release. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections and Louisiana Technical College –Mansfield Campus are working together to provide National Center of Construction Education and Research (NCCER) in Welding and Construction. Upon completion of these programs, offenders have an opportunity to earn a Technical Competency Certificate as a Welder's Helper, or Certificate as a Construction Helper.

Distance Educational Programming Opportunities

Each offender at FWCC hs the opportunity to view educational programming in their appropriate housing areas.   These programs provide informative offerings in current events, academics and self-help.

Inmate Organizations

Vets Incarcerated

Vets Incarcerated is an offender self-help organization which provides services for veterans to improve the individual and provide a setting for social interaction for members. This organization is actively involved in providing help to the outside community through donations raised by members of the organization. Vets Incarcerated also sponsors a literacy program for inmates at the facility through volunteers at Centenary College.

Human Relations Organization

The Human Relations Organization is an organization that provides opportunities for making restitution and participating in community restorative projects as a mechanism to compensate, in some fashion, individuals and communities harmed by crime.

Lifers

The Forcht Wade Lifer’s Association goals are to assist the members in coping with their time in prison through the exchange of ideas and opinions. The organization also donates to worthy causes within the community, as well as provides some relief to the other offenders at Forcht Wade.

Offender Welfare Council

The Offender Welfare Council is an elected body of offenders that presents thier issues or concerns to a body of appointed staff members, for consideration and discussion. They are also responsible for various offender functions held throughout the year.

Library Services

A comprehensive library services program is available at FWCC. This includes recreational, educational, and legal material. The library has an agreement with the Caddo Parish Library for delivery of books every month through the bookmobile program. A law library is also accessible to all offenders for any legal matters, civil and criminal.

Recreation

Forcht Wade Correctional Center operates a comprehensive Athletic/Recreation program designed to meet the needs of all offenders. Regular sports activities include football, basketball, and softball. There is also a recreational building available for offenders to play pool, ping pong and various board games, along with a weight area for weight lifting and conditioning.