Warden: Jim Rogers

 

• Mission Statement
• Philosophy / Goals
• Driving Directions
• Visiting Information
• General Information
• Educational Programs
• Other Programs
• Tours

 

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women to provide custody, control, care and treatment in a professional manner to adult female offenders through enforcement of the laws and management of programs designed to ensure the safety of the public, employees and inmates and reintegrate offenders into society. The Warden shall formulate goals for the institution annually and translate them into measurable objectives.

Goals

• Enhance public safety by preventing escape from custody through implementation of adequate physical and procedural safeguards.
• Enhance employee and inmate safety by maintaining a structured organized system of operations that promotes stability within the institution.
• Provide provisions for basic services to the inmate population by maintaining sufficient and appropriate facilities, adequate medical and mental health services, ample pastoral care services, food services that meet basic nutritional dietary requirements and clothing appropriate for climate conditions. Provide special accommodations to inmates where needed.
• Provide an environment for change for inmates who are motivated or desire to change by providing rehabilitative and educational programs utilizing departmental and community resources.
• Provide inmates an opportunity to make amends.
• Maintain accreditation status with the American Correctional Association (ACA).
• Develop and maintain a productive working relationship with surrounding communities.
• Provide a comprehensive training program for employees that includes all mandated training requirements set forth by the American Correctional Association (ACA), Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&P), and Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) and incorporate new innovative training sessions, by broadening our resources base. Develop a training syllabus that meets the needs of the employees and enhances their general knowledge and job performance.

Driving Directions

If traveling I-10 Westbound: Exit I-10 at Gonzales (Exit 177) at the Tanger Outlet Mall. Go Left under the interstate on Hwy. 30. Follow Hwy. 30 until you get to Hwy. 74 at St. Gabriel. Turn right on Hwy. 74. LCIW will be on your left after about one (1) mile.

If traveling I-10 Eastbound: Take I-10 east towards New Orleans. Take Exit 173 Prairieville/Geismar and turn right onto Hwy. 73. Follow Hwy. 73 to Hwy. 74. Turn right on Hwy. 74. Proceed approximately 5.5 miles to LCIW. LCIW is on the right after a large curve.

From downtown Baton Rouge: Proceed south on Nicholson Drive (Hwy. 30) past LSU Tiger Stadium. Drive eight (8) miles to Hwy. 74. Turn left and drive one (1) mile to LCIW entrance on left.

****NOTE: ELAYN HUNT CORRECTIONAL CENTER IS SITUATED IMMEDIATELY TO THE WEST OF LCIW.

Visiting Information

Visiting Hours

9:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. – Thursday through Saturday

(Visitors not accepted after 1:15 p.m.) Visiting Rules:

1. Visitors must present picture identification at the time of each visit. The only exceptions shall be minor children below the age of fifteen (15). Failure to do so could result in a denial of the visit.

2. Visitors must submit to a search of their persons or property. Failure to do so may result in the visit being denied or terminated for that day.

3. Each visitor must sign in and out in the register (log) provided at Front Control. Failure to do so may result in denial of the visit.

4. Visitors are not allowed to bring in purses/handbags. Wallets and life-sustaining medication in properly labeled prescription containers are allowed in the Visiting Room after inspection by security.

5. Baby diapers, diaper bags, baby food and baby formula (bottles) are allowed after inspection by Front Control officers.

6. Coats, jackets, and sweaters are allowed to be brought into the Visiting Room but are subject to search.

7. Visitors shall be expected to comply with the following rules while visiting:

   1. Visitors shall park only in the visitor's parking lot.
   2. Visitors shall keep in mind that since they are visiting a correctional institution, security is of paramount importance. As such, they should cooperate in every way with instructions given by security personnel who are charged with the overall responsibility of maintaining order and discipline.
   3. Visitors shall not give the inmate they are visiting any items except food/ beverage items purchased at the institution.
   4. Visitors shall not communicate with or give anything to an inmate they are not visiting, nor shall they communicate with or give anything to another inmate's visitors.
   5. Visitors shall conduct themselves in an orderly manner, and shall ensure that children behave in an orderly manner and remain with them.
   6. No excessive displays of affection are allowed.
   7. Cameras are not allowed. Photographs offered for purchase may be taken in the Visiting Room only by approved institutional organizations.
   8. Upon completion of the visit, visitors shall leave the grounds immediately.
   9. Visitors are asked to respect the visiting time of others by keeping their conversations at a normal tone of voice.

8. Visitors may be removed from a visiting list for a period of time for violating any of the above rules. They may be barred permanently if they violate a state law while visiting, such as, but not limited to:

   Assault     Introduction of Contraband

   Battery     Attempted Introduction of Contraband

9. Visitors may leave money for the inmate they are visiting with the Front Control Officer. Only Cash, no checks or money orders, shall be accepted at Front Control.

10. All visitors must be dressed appropriately. Shorts, skorts, skirts, dresses and culottes may be worn as long as the length and appearance is acceptable. As a general guideline, these articles of clothing should not extend more than three (3) inches above the knee. See-through clothing and seductive garments are not allowed. All visitors must wear full-length shirts. Tank tops are not allowed. The combination of blue chambray/denim shirts/gray or white sweatshirts and jean is not allowed to be worn by visitors.

    Shoes should be appropriate. Shower shoes, house slippers and thongs are not permitted.

    Individuals not appropriately dressed shall not be allowed to visit. This determination shall be made by the highest-ranking security supervisor on duty at the time.

General Information

Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) was opened on the present site in 1973. Prior to that, the prison was situated on the River Road on what is now the LSU Agricultural Research Center. Prior to that, female offenders occupied a camp at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. LCIW is situated on 75 acres. LCIW houses 1189 female offenders of all security classes. Dormitory housing is used for minimum and medium custody; maximum-security residents are housed in a cellblock. In July 1993, LCIW received American Correctional Association accreditation and in 1997, LCIW was released from the federal consent decree.

Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women is the only female correctional facility operating on the state level. There are currently two (2) offenders on death row.

The racial breakdown is approximately 53% black and 46% white. This differs from the male facilities, which are essentially 75% black and 25% white.

Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women offers 24-hour a day inpatient medical care. There is a 10-bed infirmary ward. Nurses are on duty 24-hours a day. Physicians and Nurse Practitioners are on-call 24-hours a day. There are several specialists on contract that hold weekly clinics including OB-GYN, Internal Medicine, Optometry, Psychiatry and Psychology. LCIW has one dentist. Medical services that are not available at LCIW are provided by the LSU Health Center in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Houma.

Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women offers a wide range of programming including mental health, substance abuse, sex offender treatment, character building, and anger management. LCIW also houses female offenders who are assigned to the IMPACT Program located next door at Hunt Correctional Center. IMPACT is a boot camp program, which boasts the lowest recidivism rate of any of the DOC programs. Inmates who complete the program are eligible for parole in six (6) months, which is a considerable reduction in the sentences they would serve if they don’t successfully complete the IMPACT Program.

All inmates assigned to LCIW have some sort of daily job unless they are physically impaired to the point of bed rest. Jobs include Housekeeping, Grounds, Maintenance, Field Operation-Vegetables, Kitchen, Warehouse, Beauty Shop, Maintenance and the Garment Factory (managed by Prison Enterprises).

LCIW has two (2) off-site work crews:

• Litter Crew which picks up litter on State Highways
• Janitorial Crew that maintains a State office building in Baton Rouge.

Educational Programs

The education/vocational programs provide opportunities for inmates to improve their knowledge and skills, while special activities provide productive and diverse opportunities.

Educational/vocational programs include: Basic Adult Literacy

A reading/writing program designed to teach inmates (non-readers through intermediate readers) reading skills, and life skills through reading, writing and mathematical exercises. Inmates whose test scores indicate 1.0 to 5.0-grade level are enrolled in this class.

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

ABE is a class that provides instruction in the basics of reading, English, and math. Inmates with test scores 5.0 and above are enrolled in this program.

General Education Development (GED)

GED is a class that enhances instruction in Reading, English, Math, Science and Social Studies. Inmates with test scores 6.0 and above are enrolled in this program. Students from this program progress to their high school equivalency diploma.

Developmental Studies

Developmental Studies is a computer-based program that teaches inmates the basic academic (language and math) skills that are needed for a variety of vocational occupations. This class uses computer instruction, as well as individual personal instruction to teach these skills. It is open to all inmates who test at or above the 6.0 grade level.

Culinary Arts Class

The Culinary Arts class provides inmates with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the food service industry. This is a 18 month program offered to inmates within their last 18 to 24 months of commitment. Training emphasizes the study of foods and their nutritional content, menu planning, food processing and production, quantity cooking, using and storing equipment, sanitation, safety, serving techniques and self-management skills.

Horticulture Class

The Horticulture class provides inmates with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as arborists, florists, horticulturists, and landscape contractors. Training emphasizes the study of plants, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, planting techniques and planning, and management of horticultural enterprises.

Office Systems Technology Class

This class provides inmates with the skills needed to obtain any entry-level position in a modern business office. This is an 18-month program that is offered to inmates when they are within 18 to 30 months of release. Inmates must have proof of having received a high school diploma or GED to enroll in this class. Training is provided in the latest computer operating systems, office technology software, typing skills, and basic office procedures.

Upholstery Class

This class provides inmates with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the field of upholstery. Training is provided in restoring furniture, upholstered items, and automobile interiors. This is a 30-month program for inmates who are releasing within 30 to 42 months.

Job Seeking Skills Class (Youth Offender Grant)

The Job Seeking Skills class provides inmates with the skills necessary to carry out a job search. Training includes learning to prepare job applications and resumes, interviews skills, job search resources, and developing a job-ready attitude.

Freshman-Level College Courses (Youth Offender Grant)

This program is designed to offer general, first-year college courses to inmates participating in the Youth Offender Grant (YOG). The goal of this program is for these inmates to earn college credits that they can transfer to the university of their choice upon release.

Other Programs

Program for Caring Parents

This is the visitation component of the Parenting Program. Inmates who have completed the Parenting Program may enroll children and grandchildren under the age of 10. Child participants are allowed to come onto the grounds on the fifth Saturdays during the year to spend the day with their mothers and/or grandmothers.

Other special family-centered events include Easter and Christmas extravaganzas.

Sexual Trauma Resolution Group

This group provides a forum for women to privately discuss and begin healing from sexual trauma that has occurred in their pasts. This is a 10-week program, but inmates may re-enroll as needed to continue to address trauma-related issues. Through participation in this group, women can strengthen their communication and coping skills and can begin to practice the development of better, healthier interpersonal relationships.

Morals Integrity Group (The Louisiana Sex Offender Risk Management Project)

This group is for inmates identified as sex offenders and for those who have a history of prostitution related activity. This group has a psycho-educational component and a treatment component. Its theoretical foundation is cognitive behavioral and is strongly grounded in relapse prevention. This 26 week program allows inmates to explore the nature of the events, thoughts, and feelings related to their sexually inappropriate behavior with expectations that the inmate shifts from maintaining inappropriate behaviors to expressing more appropriate and healthy sexual behavior. To graduate, inmates must successfully complete each phase, taking both pre-tests and post-tests for each phase, completing group and homework assignments and obeying group rules.

Addictions Recovery Life Reintegration Program

This is a 12-week program that is a holistic approach to addictions recovery. Inmates who enroll participate in one half day of structured programming and work or go to school for the rest of the day. Inmates in this program participate in the following groups:

• Substance Abuse Education
• Relapse Prevention
• AA Therapy/AA Big Book Studies
• Straight Talk
• Reintegration Metamorphosis
• Reintegration Anger Management
• Reintegration Parenting
• Reintegration Pre-Release

Inmates who complete this program receive certificates that indicate completion of the programs. It is designed that so that is can be completed upon admission and, again, in preparation for release for those with significant substance abuse issues which may require more than just 12-weeks of treatment.

Inmate Organizations

Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women has four (4) inmate organizations: Jaycees, Lifers, Culinary Arts and Toastmasters. They all seek to provide a means for the inmates to use their time productively and to learn to give something back to society, within and outside the prison confines.

LCIW Jaycees

LCIW Jaycees provide training in leadership development and instill civic awareness.

LCIW Jaycees provide civic service through the organized efforts of young persons in the community by enriching the welfare of the community and its citizens through active, constructive projects.

LIFERS Association

In 1992, the LIFERS Association of Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) was formed. The acronym for this organization is: Ladies Involved For Education Rehabilitation Service. The Association enables lifers to come together, to assist one another through the exchange of ideas and opinions. With the assistance of the administration, the Lifers’ Association hopes to establish for its members an opportunity to forge a better relationship among themselves, their families, and the community.

TOASTMASTERS

The mission of a Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

The club's objectives include:

•  Helping individual members improve their abilities to communicate effectively
• Providing for individual members instructions, educational materials and opportunities, which will give them skill and experience in the preparation and delivery of speeches
• Encouraging individual members to read and to listen analytically
• Providing for individual members' fair and constructive evaluation of their efforts toward self-improvement
• Increasing individual members' knowledge of the rules of parliamentary procedure and their skills in conducting meetings and participating in-group discussions
• Providing leadership training for individual members
• Providing opportunities and encouragement for its individual members to appear before audiences and to express their thought credibly

CULINARY ARTS

The Culinary Arts Club provides members with knowledge and skills in the food service industry. Activities include organizing menus, budgeting, purchasing, preparing and serving quality food. The club provides opportunities to learn garnishing, nutritional content, food processing, gourmet cooking, equipment, sanitation, safety and self-management skills. It help members realize their full potential in the world of food service and prepares them for productive citizenship.

Tours

OUTSIDE TOUR GROUP GUIDELINES

1. All tours of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women will consist of a walking tour of the facility and a meeting with an inmate speaker.
2. Requests for groups desiring a tour of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women should be faxed to the Office of the Warden at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women at (225) 319-2757 at least two (2) weeks prior to the desired date of the tour. The request should include the name of the individual requesting the tour, telephone number, fax number, name of the tour group, preferred date, as well as an alternate date, purpose of the tour, number in group, time of arrival and sex (male/female). Groups will be limited to forty (40).
3. Tours are scheduled on Monday through Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. There are no tours conducted on weekends or holidays. There is one tour scheduled per week so that we can provide the group with a comprehensive overview of the facility. If an approved group should need to cancel a tour or will arrive late, they must contact the Warden's Office at (225) 319-2413 or (225) 319-2341, so that tour guides can be placed on notice of this delay.
4. NOTICE: Any tour arriving late without advanced notice may be cancelled. The Warden's Office will make the final decision on cancellations.
5. All tour groups will be notified of their approved scheduled date. Directions to the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women and Polices and Procedures for Tours will be sent to approved tour group.
6. The dress code should be proper and decent. No halter-tops, shorts, tank tops, see through clothing, low-cut articles exposing the upper torso, mini-skirts or mini-dresses or any form of seductive garments shall be allowed. No one will be allowed to wear the combination of blue jeans and blue chambray shirts, gray or white sweatshirts or blue jean jackets.
7. Keys, purses and/or handbags will not be carried in during the tour. Keys, purses and/or handbags must be locked on the bus while the tour is being conducted. The institution will not be responsible for personal property.
8. Physical contact between inmates and tour group members is strictly prohibited. Communication with inmates is limited to inmate speakers approved by the staff. Violations will result in immediate termination of the tour.
9. Loud, boisterous or unruly behavior will result in the tour being terminated.
10. No cameras (video recorders, digital, etc.), tape recorders or any other recording equipment will be allowed.
11. Tour group members are prohibited from bringing contraband on LCIW's property. Examples of contraband are alcohol, drugs, weapons, beepers, cell phones, etc. Introduction of contraband is a felony violation of state law and is punishable by a jail sentence.
12. One person in the tour may carry necessary prescribed medication after having them checked by the Security Tour Guide. Prescribed medication must be in containers and properly labeled.
13. No one under the age of twelve (12) will be permitted to tour the facility.
14. Tour group members shall obey all instructions, procedures and orders while on institutional grounds. All members of the tour group will remain with the group at all times.

Staff Support of the Community

UNITED WAY

The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women staff has proven time and time again their commitment to giving to the community. Employees participated in the Capital Area United Way campaigns for several years. Their commitment to United Way and the services this organization provides to the local community is proven in the funds raised by staff.

CIVIC/SCHOOL TOURS

It is the policy of Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women to encourage community involvement by permitting civic leagues, church groups, schools, college classes and public organizations/agencies access to tour the facility. The primary purpose of these tours is to portray an accurate and realistic account of prison life at LCIW.  Special tours can also be requested to target risk groups.

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women staff supports the American Heart Association's Annual Heart Walk through staff and inmate walker teams who raise donations for the AHA to provide research for cures, education and support to benefit those suffering from heart disease.

THE LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Every Christmas, the staff of LCIW sponsors a special outing at the facility for students at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired.  Staff members purchase gifts for the students and Santa Clause usually makes a visit.