Warden: Robert Tanner

 

 

 

 

Mission Statement

The mission of Rayburn Correctional Center is to provide for the custody, control, care and treatment of each offender through compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures. Emphasis is placed on the implementation of programs that provide a public service and those designed to reintegrate the inmate into society while ensuring the safety of the public.

Goals

Our goals are to provide effective programs while maintaining a secure facility; to maintain credibility with the public; to obtain the maximum benefit from our resources; to promote ongoing staff development; and to encourage better communication within the institution, and with other agencies and the community.

To meet our goals, the following objectives will be met:

- To provide a secure facility.
- To provide staff and offenders with a safe work and living environment.
- To provide appropriate medical care to the offender population.
- To provide the necessities of life to the offender population.
- To provide the offender population with programs that are conducive to their well-being and successful re-entry into society.
- To comply with applicable legal and administrative requirements of the facility and staff.

Driving Directions

From Baton Rouge: Go east on Interstate 12 to the second Covington exit. This will lead to Hwy. 190. Go north on 190 approximately three miles. Merge to the right onto Hwy. 21. Go approximately 20 miles through Bush, LA. Hwy. 21 will dead end. Turn left (north) through Sun, Bogalusa and Varnado. The facility’s entrance (large sign) will be approximately 1.5 miles on the right past Varnado.

From New Orleans: Cross the Causeway – this road will become Hwy. 190. Travel 190 through Mandeville and Covington. From there, you can follow the directions above or:

Cross the twin spans on Interstate 10 from New Orleans east. Pass the I-12 interchange going north and take the Pearl River Exit. Take a left through Pearl River, crossing Hwy. 11. You will be on Hwy. 21. Stay on 21 to Bush and take a right. Follow directions above from Bush.

Visiting Information

Individuals approved to visit offenders at Rayburn Correctional Center should carefully read the below listed rules and regulations that govern visiting. Visitors are expected to comply with these requirements.

General Information:

Identification

Approved visitors (15 years of age and older) must present picture identification to visit an offender.

Dress Code

Visitors must be dressed appropriately.No tank tops, see-through clothing, low-cut articles of clothing exposing the upper torso, miniskirts or mini-dresses, or any form of seductive garments will be allowed. Shorts, skorts, and culottes must be no more than three inches above the knee. Visitors must wear full-length shirts (long or short-sleeve). They will not be allowed to wear the combination of blue jeans and blue chambray shirts, or blue jeans and gray or white sweat shirts or tee shirts. Shoes designated for street wear, including tennis shoes, must be worn. Sandals and open-toed shoes are permitted. House slippers, beach sandals (i.e., thongs, flip-flops) and shower shoes are not permitted. Individuals improperly or inappropriately dressed will not be allowed to visit.

Facilities are not available for visitors who do not meet this dress code to change their clothing. Visitors, who choose to change their clothing in order to be able to visit, will be required to leave institutional grounds. They may then return when they have changed their clothing.

Contraband

Visitors must declare all medications, including prescription and nonprescription medications, to the correctional officers at the Front Gate and visiting desk. Alcohol, cameras, and any type of weapon or ammunition are prohibited on facility grounds. Such items should not be brought to the facility, however, in the event contraband items are in the visitor’s possession, they must be declared at the Front Gate.  Visitors under the influence of any substance will not be allowed to visit and may be prohibited from future visits.

Visitors must park their vehicles in the designated Visitors’ Parking area. The vehicle’s keys should be removed from the vehicle and then locked. Personal possessions (i.e., wallets, purses, cash) left in the vehicle should be secured in the trunk and/or locked glove compartment, if possible.

Visitors are not allowed to deliver anything to the offender through the Visiting Room. Visitors may bring photographs (no Polaroid or photo albums), however, they cannot be left with the inmate.

Conduct of Visitors

Actions or language by a visitor considered loud, disruptive, abusive, or threatening will not be tolerated. Such conduct will result in the immediate termination of the visit and possible denial of future visits.

Individuals who have been refused a visit will be required to leave the institutional grounds. Individuals traveling with visitors, but not visiting, must wait in their vehicle.  Other than the designated visitor areas, neither visitors nor their traveling companions are allowed access to the facility beyond the visitor’s parking lot. They are also prohibited from talking, shouting, signaling, or passing anything to an offender.

Searches

Individuals, including minors, entering the facility are subject to searches of their property, automobile, and person.

Searches include, but are not limited to, visual inspection of persons and property; pat-down searches of their person; inspection of their property by dogs trained to detect drugs, weapons, and other contraband; strip-search of their body; and searches of their body cavities. Introduction of contraband drugs, alcohol or weapons into the facility is a felony (Louisiana Revised Statute 14:402).

Dormitory and Working Cellblock Inmates:

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are between 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Visitors must arrive at the facility’s Front Gate by 2:00 p.m. in order to be processed for visiting.

Offenders will not be permitted to visit while on extra duty assignments. The offender will be notified, however, on the Wednesday preceding his extra duty assignment so that he may notify his visitors of such.

Number and Duration of Visits

Offenders will be allowed six visitors at a time in the Visiting Room.  Non-walking infants will be allowed as a seventh visitor.  Approved visitors will generally be allotted two visits per month.  Minimum custody offenders and those participating in the PRESS program will be permitted three visits per month from their visitors.

Unless prior approval is obtained from the Warden, visitors are allowed to visit only one offender at a time.

Generally, visits will be for two and one-half hours Thursday and Friday; and one and one-half hours Saturday and Sunday.  Minimum custody and IRP inmates will be permitted visits for three hours.  In case of overcrowding, these times may be shortened at the staff’s discretion.

Visiting by Minors

Individuals under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult who is an approved visitor of the offender that the minor is visiting.  Children 14 years of age and younger are not required to be on the offender’s visitor list. The correctional officers may require that proof of a child’s age (birth certificate) be furnished on their next visit, if his/her age appears questionable.  Adults will be responsible for the behavior of minors in their company.  Children will not be left unattended on institutional grounds.  Minor spouses or emancipated minors (Marriage Certificate/Judgment of Emancipation required as proof) are not required to have adult escorts.

Visitors are allowed to bring into the visiting areas two baby bottles per infant, three diapers and sufficient baby-wipes per infant, and a change purse/wallet.

Conduct of Visitors

Visitors may greet and bid the offender farewell with a non-passionate kiss and must be done so that others are not offended.  Visitors may sit next to the offender. However, physical contact between the offender and adult visitors, other than holding hands, is not allowed.

Picnic Visits

Individuals approved for picnic visits should contact the Visiting Office for information on approved items.

Restricted Visiting

Extended Lockdown- Level 1

Extended Lockdown-Level 1 will be restricted to non-contact visiting. The requirements for such visits are as follow:

Restricted visiting will be held on Thursdays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.  Visits will be limited to 30 minutes.Visitors must arrive at the Front Gate by 10:30 a.m. to be processed for visiting.

Only two adult visitors will be permitted per visit.  Only one visit will be allowed per day.  Each offender is allotted only two visits per month.

Offenders on will not be permitted to make any physical contact with their visitors.

Offenders are not permitted to receive any items from their visitors.

Offenders are not permitted to give anything to a visitor.

Other Restricted Visits

Special Management Unit inmates; Extended Lockdown – Level 2 offenders; offenders who test positive for and/or are found in possession of drugs; offenders who refuse to submit to drug testing; offenders who have received contraband during the visiting process; and offenders who have had a certified drug dog alert to the presence of drugs on their person or property in a drug detection booth, will be restricted to non-contact visiting. The requirements for such visits are as follow:

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. Visitors must arrive at the facility's Front Gate by 10:30 a.m. in order to be processed for visiting.

Number and Duration of Visits

Offenders will be allowed one visit per day with up to four adult visitors (only two visitors for SMU inmates.) Visits will take place in the Visiting Room.  Approved visitors will be allotted two visits per month.  Visitors are allowed to visit only one offender at a time.  Visits will be limited to 45 minutes.  Because of space limitations, visitors to offenders in Administrative segregation and Isolation must call the Visiting Office to reserve visiting time. In case of overcrowding, visits may be shortened at the staff’s discretion.

Conduct of Visitors

Offenders and their visitors will not be permitted to make any physical contact during their visits.  No concessions will be sold during restricted visitation.

 Offender Reentry

Offenders coming to RCC meet with a Reentry Transition Specialist  within the first month to begin or continue with rehabilitation programming.  This initial assessment is done to determine where the offender is presently in the rehabilitation process.  Whether their incarceration time is six months, six years, or more, they will be guided on a yearly basis through the use of an Annual Assessment to project their progress.

If the offender is identified as high risk, and within five years of his earliest release date, he will meet with a committee to work a more thorough and comprehensive case plan.  All plans culminate with a Pre Release program (13 months of the offenders earliest release date) which covers 100 hours of orientation and classroom topic including but not limited to Substance Abuse Education, Victim Awareness, Job Skills, Communication, Parenting, Money Management and other release preparation information.

Additionally, the Reentry program at RCC has the responsibility and an obligation to the public and to the offender to work collaboratively with surrounding communities at establishing new supports,and enhancing existing programs for offenders while housed at RCC.  This often includings introducing offenders to available support programs in the community to which they are returning (housing, employment, and self-help) for a successful transition back to society.

Educational Programs

The Education Department recognizes that an offender's education is related to the recidivism rate.  Offenders demonstrating the desire, self-discipline, and motivation to achieve an improved level of education are offered the opportunity to do so.  The Education Department's goal is to provide each individual offender, including those with physical, mental, emotional, and learning disabilities, the opportunity to improve his academic and/or vocational skills before release.  All programs are voluntary but, once registered, a student must attend.

Daytime Classes

The Director of Education supervises all academic and vocational programs.  Admittance into the education program is voluntary.  Offender are expected to show progress in their classes.

Evening Classes

River Parish Community College Extension programs are also administered by The Director of Education. Faith-based classes are administered by the Chaplain.  While admittance to the programs is voluntary, the callouts are mandatory.  Offenders attending mandatory callout programs will be dropped from the course after their third unexcused absence.

Available Programs

The Education Department provides inmates the opportunity to participate in various education programs.

Daytime Programs:

• Literacy (functional levels below 5.0 on the TABE)
• GED Preparation (functional levels above 5.0 on the TABE)
• Adult Basic Education (remediation when having a diploma)
• Vocational Training Diploma Programs
• Saturday Vocational Programs

Evening Programs:

• River Parish Community College Extension
• Faith-based Programs
• Approved Correspondence Courses

Literacy

This program provides “one-on-one” student instruction.  Students are enrolled for half-day sessions and are awarded certificates of achievement upon completion of the course.  This program, under the supervision of the Director of Education, uses full-time staff instructors and full-time inmate tutors.  Offender tutors receive training and certification from the educational staff.

GED Preparation

Offenders who have completed literacy with a 5.0 reading and general equivalency on the TABE test are enrolled in a part-time GED preparation class.  When they reach a TABE score of 8.0, they are moved to full-time education and enrolled in Pre-GED.

Pre-GED is an all-day program available to offenders with an assessed TABE score of 8.0 - 10.0.  The curriculum is designed to ready the student for the GED program over a three month period.  At the conclusion of the three month class, students who score a 10.5 orhigher on the TABE are advanced to GED.

The GED Program is available to inmates with an assessed TABE score level of 10.0 or above on a D-level TABE.  The curriculum is designed to prepare the student for the GED exam within a three-month time period.  Offenders who successfully complete the GED program will receive a High School Equivalency Diploma.

Adult Basic Education

The Adult Basic Education Program is available to offenders with a diploma whose TABE scores are too low to qualify for vocational training or college courses.  After remediation in areas of weakness, students retake the TABE test.  When they reach the appropriate level for the course in which they desire to enroll, they have completed ABE.

Vocational Training Diploma Program
Louisiana Technical College - Sullivan Campus

The Education Department, in cooperation with Louisiana Technical College - Sullivan Campus (LTC), offers competency-based curricula supported by appropriate materials and classroom resources.  Instructors are certified or approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and/or the Louisiana Department of Education.

The vocational programs offered by LTC include: Welding, Automotive and Carpentry.

Offenders who successfully complete a vocational course will receive a certificate for that skill.  Where available, national certification tests will be offered allowing students to obtain certification that is recognized by a national body.

Saturday Vocational Programs

Under a grant, the prison offers two programs that are not under LTC but are taught by qualified, certified personnel.  Small engine repair and culinary classes meet on Saturdays.  Upon completion, certificates are given to students for the skill.  National certification tests are offered for students in the small engine repair class.  A ServSafe certificate is offered to culinary students.

Faith-Based Education Programs

These programs are available to the general population.  All classes are held in the Education Building during evening hours.  They have a duration of approximately three hours.  There are two classes per week for thirteen weeks.

This is a non-credited discipleship program.  Those who complete a year's program of classes receive a certificate from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

River Parish Community College Extension

The College program is available to high school and GED graduates who score at 10.0 or higher on the TABE.  Offenders work toward an Associate Degree with a concentration in either business.  To obtain the degree, students must complete 64 hours of credits.  All classes are transferable to other Louisiana state institutions of higher learning.  Upon release, students can continue their education at a community college or university.

Participation is by application, acceptance and mandatory callout.  Offenders who are absent more than three callouts will be removed from the program.

Philosophy and Goals

The Education Department continues to strive for excellence in all phases of an offender's rehabilitation. Most of the offender population desires to break the vicious chain of recidivism.  As an offender's education increases he begins to realize the various opportunities that are open to him upon release.  True rehabilitation is possible when alternate opportunities are available through education and work skills.