Louisiana State Penitentiary Correctional Facilities
Warden: Burl Cain
- Mission Statement
- Philosophy / Goals
- Strategy
- Driving Directions
- Visiting Information
- Educational Programs
- Tours
Mission Statement
It is the mission of Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) to protect the safety of the public, staff, and offenders by providing exceptional correctional services in a professional and efficient manner. LSP is committed to developing a positive environment that promotes responsibility, goodness, and humanity. The Warden formulates goals for the institution at least annually and translates these goals into measurable objectives.
Philosophy
- LSP will protect the safety of the public, the staff, and the offender population.
- LSP will provide for the care and custody of its offender population through the provision of basic human services relating to adequate food, clothing, health care, and shelter.
- LSP is committed to quality services and continuous improvement while respecting diversity, legal rights and human dignity, and productivity.
- LSP will provide an environment that enables positive change through the availability of educational and rehabilitative opportunities for offenders who demonstrate motivation for change and the desire to participate in such programs.
Goals
- Maintain accreditation through the American Correctional Association and the Commission on Accreditation, which will further LSP' goals to evaluate overall operations against national standards, remedy deficiencies, and provide continual enhancement of programs and services.
- Utilize available resources to (a) maximize the effectiveness of the LSP mission and programs and (b) research, develop and implement plans to establish, expand, enhance and/or maintain appropriate programs and services.
- Improve ability to recruit, hire and retain high quality, professional managers and staff; maintain a work climate characterized by professionalism, objectivity, good order and high morale; demonstrate to all staff, through a high standard of fundamental leadership, LSP' commitment to integrity.
- Maintain and continue to improve upon credibility with the general public and the local community.
Strategy to accomplish Philosophies and Goals
- Perform, on an annual basis, a total and systematic review of all programs, policies and procedures--updating and revising as needed. Develop and monitor performance indicators on a regular basis to insure maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
- Further develop offender educational programming, with special emphasis on literacy; perform a continuous review of security components of operations; provide a wide array of faith-based services and programs to promote moral rehabilitation; utilize risk assessment instruments as a classification tool to assess, identify and link inmates with rehabilitative services and programs specific to their needs.
- Enhance staff development to meet the needs of LSP now and in the future through training opportunities. Evaluate and communicate employee job performance to promote productive dialogue between employees and supervisors.
- Through the use of available technology, provide a management information system designed to provide selected decision-oriented information needed by LSP administration to plan, control, and evaluate activities and programs.
Driving Directions
The Louisiana State Penitentiary is located at the end of Highway 66, approximately twenty-two miles northwest of the town of St. Francisville, Louisiana (Highway 61).
From St. Francisville: Travel north on Highway 61 for approximately two miles. Shortly after passing the West Feliciana High School (appearing on your right), turn left onto Highway 66 using the turning lane provided. The twenty mile long highway ends at the penitentiary's front gate.
From Baton Rouge: Follow I-110 (Martin Luther King Highway) to Highway 61 North (look for exit sign to Natchez/St. Francisville); this is a turn to the right. Travel approximately twenty-one miles to St. Francisville, and then follow the directions given above from St. Francisville.
From New Orleans: Take I-10 to Baton Rouge. At exit 155-B, turn right onto ramp towards I-110/Business District/Metro Airport. I-110 ends at US Highway 61. Turn right (North) onto US Highway 61. Travel approximately twenty-six miles to Highway 66. Turn left on Highway 66. Highway 66 ends at the gates of Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Visiting Information
The administration of Louisiana State Penitentiary views visiting as a vital aspect of an inmate's rehabilitation process. This connection to family and friends allows the inmate to make a smooth transition to prison life and helps him adapt to society and family life upon release from custody.
Upon his arrival at LSP, an inmate must submit a list of individuals with whom he wishes to visit. Once approved, this list becomes the inmate' official visiting list. Only the visitors who appear on the inmate's (current) approved visiting list are allowed to visit. Children under the age of fifteen may visit, but must be accompanied at all times by an adult listed on the inmate's approved visiting list.
Visiting days/hours: Visiting days are Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m., until 3:00 p.m. Visitors should plan their arrival prior to 1:30 p.m., at which time the bus makes its final departure to the visiting area(s). NOTE: On the rare occasion when there are five Sundays in a given month, there is no visiting on the fifth Saturday or Sunday.
Length of Visits: Offenders assigned to non-restricted areas are granted a four-hour visiting period on weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) provided there is sufficient space and staff. Offenders assigned to restricted areas are granted a two-hour visiting period. All offenders are granted a two-hour visiting period on Saturday and Sunday.
Number of Visitors: An offender is allowed ten approved visitors plus one religious advisor on his list. Each visitor on the approved visiting list will be permitted to visit twice a month.
Identification: All approved visitors must have in their possession a picture ID (valid state issued driver's license or state issued ID card obtained through the Department of Motor Vehicles).
Other Accepted Forms of Picture ID: Passport, Military, Law Enforcement, College/University.
Educational Programming
Through partnerships with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and the Louisiana Department of Education, Louisiana State Penitentiary provides opportunities for participation in the following educational programs:
NOBTS (N.O. Baptist Theological Seminary)
ABE/GED
Literacy
SSD#1 (Special School District)
P.R.E.P. Pre-Release Exit Program
Automotive Technology
Carpentry
Culinary Arts
Graphic Communications
Horticulture
Welding
A detailed description of these programs can be found on Louisiana State Penitentiary's website (see top of page for link.)
Tours at LSP
Louisiana State Penitentiary is the state' oldest and only maximum security prison and, as such, a much sought after tour destination for school groups, churches, and criminal justice professionals. A regular tour consists of a visit to the museum, the historic Red Hat, a cellblock or dormitory at Camp F, lunch at Camp F (provided this request was made in advance and group arrives before 11:00 a.m.), and the lethal injection table. Offender speaker(s) are also available for a Q&A session with approved groups.
MORE INFORMATION about LSP's unique events and programs can be found on the following websites:
http://www.awana.org/lifeline/
