LA DOC – Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW)

LA DOC – Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 225-642-5529

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at LA DOC – Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) located at 7205 Hwy 74 in St. Gabriel, LA are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

LA DOC – Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women – Visitation

Educational Programming

The education/vocational programs provide opportunities for offenders to improve their knowledge and skills, and special activities provide productive and diverse opportunities. Educational Vocational programs include:

Basic Adult Literacy

A reading/writing program designed to teach non-readers through intermediate readers reading skills, and life skills through reading, writing, and mathematical exercises. Offenders whose test scores indicate 1.0 to 4.9 grade level are enrolled in this class.

Adult Basic Education (ABE)/Developmental Studies

ABE/Developmental Studies is a class that provides instruction in the basics of Reading, English, and Math. This program offers those offenders basic upgrades to prepare them for a variety of vocational occupations and classes offered through Baton Rouge Community College – LCIW campus. This class uses some computer instruction, as well as individual personal instruction to teach these skills. This class is open to offenders who test at or above the 5.0 grade level.

High School Equivalency (HSE)

HSE is a class that enhances instruction in Reading, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Offenders with test scores 5.0 and above are enrolled in this program. Students participating in this program work towards achieving their high school equivalency diploma.

Culinary Arts Class

The Culinary Arts class provides offenders with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the food service industry. This is a program offered to offenders within 36 months of release. 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. As an optional component of the class, offenders have the opportunity to obtain the nationally recognized ServSafe Certificate. The grade level requirement to be admitted to this class is 9.0 or greater

Horticulture Class

The Horticulture class provides offenders 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. Testing for Louisiana State Licensure is offered to qualified candidates. The grade level requirement to be admitted to this class is 10.0 or greater.

Upholstery Class

This class provides offenders with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the field of upholstery. Training is provided in restoring furniture, upholstered items, and automobile and boat interiors. This is approximately an 18 month program. The grade level requirement to be admitted to this class is 8.0 or greater.

Welding

LCIW’s Welding program takes individuals through a welding curriculum providing industry-based credentials as the student progresses. The course is designed to provides hands-on training. Students are instructed in stick, mig and tig welding principles, working with steel and various allows in plate and pipe configurations. Length of the class is 12 to 18 months. Students must score at least an 8.0 on the TABE test to potentially qualify.

Offender Reentry Programming

Reentry programming for each offender begins at intake as needs are determined and goals to be achieved during incarceration are set. Prior to release, offenders complete 100 hours of structured programming geared to prepare the offender for re-integration into society. Topics include resume writing, interviewing skills, interacting with government agencies, assistance with getting necessary information, parenting, anger management and substance abuse instruction. Community agencies also present information pertinent to release during this program.

Other Programs and Services

Program for Caring Parents

This is a visitation component in which children and grandchildren age 10 and under 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 included in the program are the annual Easter Children’s Day and the Christmas Extravaganza. Offenders must enroll their children and grandchildren in advance to be screened for approval and attend these programs.

Teen Day is the annual visitation program that allows teenagers (11 to 17 yoa) to spend the day with their mothers and/or grandmothers.

Parenting Program

Partners in Parenting Program is a seven-week program designed to focus on concepts important for effective parenting such as communication skills, guidance techniques, and strategies for discipline. The program also focuses on building skills, providing support, and helping parents understand needs and abilities of children during the different stages of development.

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

This group is for adjudicated offenders and 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 offenders to explore the nature of the events, thoughts, and feelings related to their sexually inappropriate behavior with expectations that the offender shifts from maintaining inappropriate behaviors to expressing more appropriate and healthy sexual behavior. To graduate, offenders must successfully complete each phase, taking both pre-tests and post-tests for each phase, completing group and homework assignments and obeying group rules.

Survivors of Domestic Violence

LCIW’s Survivors of Domestic Violence Program is sponsored by the Capital Area Family Violence Intervention Center (Battered Women). The program is ten weeks in length and is facilitated by AFVIC volunteers. The program is structured in two phases. Phase I Education Group (support group) and Phase II Leadership Group (mentor group). The program focuses on teaching participants about abusive relations and helping participants learn how to build healthy relationships.

Living in Balance

This is an eight and one-half week program in which offenders receive structured programming during the evening hours and work or go to school during the day. The core sessions for this program include: alcohol and other drug education; triggers, cravings and avoiding relapse; planning for sobriety; alcohol and tobacco; spirituality; sex, drugs and alcohol; stress and emotional well-being; skills for reducing stress; negative emotions; anger and communication; and relapse prevention.

Faith Based Programs

The Faith Based Programs of LCIW provide services to meet the needs of a growing offender population while assisting offenders with their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community following release. The chaplain, as the Volunteer Coordinator, works closely with the community networking with Clergy and laymen alike from various faith groups and organizations to bring forth core changes in offenders, with the goal of reducing recidivism following release.

Big Sister’s Program

This is an orientation program for new admits to LCIW. Representatives from various departments such as Mental Health, Records, Classification, Offender Banking and Medical partner with representatives from offender organizations to present newly assigned offenders with information on services provided by each department and how to access those services.

Offender Organizations

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

• LCIW Jaycees provide training in leadership development and instill civic awareness. The 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.
• In 1992, the Ladies Involved For Education Rehabilitation Service otherwise known as the LIFERS Association of LCIW was formed. The Association enables lifers to come together and 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.
• The mission of the 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 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, presentation of meals, 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.

Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women is located in St. Gabriel Louisiana. This is the only state level prison that houses women in the state, and serves as the states only Death Row prison for women with two inmates currently awaiting execution. Inmates housed in the prison can participate in many job opportunities offered both within the correctional facility and in supervised positions within the surrounding community. Two of the offsite work details include litter removal from state highways and janitorial/maintenance within government buildings in Baton Rouge. Offenders can also work in a garment factory, and in culinary arts within the prison.

All inmates at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women are provided mental health services and medical treatment. Substance abuse and sex offender treatment is available for all inmates who require treatment. Adult basic education courses and the ability for inmates to earn a GED provide a greater chance of an inmates successful rehabilitation once released. In addition, offenders can participate in vocational courses in upholstery, welding, horticulture, and culinary arts.

visitation Info

LA DOC – Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women – Visitation

It is the policy of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) to recognize the importance of visitation in the maintenance of family ties. Visitation with family members is a vital aspect in the rehabilitation of an offender. The institution also recognizes that the maintaining of relationships with extended family members and friends is also important. Therefore, every effort shall be aimed at allowing the offender to visit with her family and friends, and at the same time not overtax the institution’s ability to process visitors, and provide adequate control and supervision of the visiting process. The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women does not discriminate against offenders and visitors, including the clergy, attorneys, offender family members and other authorized visitors, on the basis of disability. When requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to afford accessibility, wherein such accommodation does not result in an undue hardship on the institution, nor jeopardize the safety of employees, offenders, and other visitors.

Eligibility of Prospective Visitors

All persons, except as specifically prohibited in accordance with this policy, are eligible to be considered for approval to visit an offender confined at LCIW upon application and request by the offender. A person is ineligible to visit if the individual has been convicted of, and/or has criminal charges pending against him/her for the following crimes/criminal activities:

• Introduction and/or supplying, attempting or conspiring to introduce or supply contraband as defined in Department Regulation No. B-05-001 “Disciplinary Rules and Procedures for Adult Offenders;”
• Possession, control or delivery of an explosive device or substance, including attempt or conspiracy to do the same; or
• Assisting an offender in an escape or unlawful departure from a correctional facility, including an attempt or conspiracy.

A person who has been convicted of a felony, who has not been finally discharged from an institution or from probation or parole supervision for more than two years without an intervening criminal record shall be denied approval to be placed on an offender’s visiting list. In addition, any person who in the previous five years had three or more felony charges (regardless of disposition) shall be considered ineligible to visit or, if already an approved visitor, shall have visiting privileges revoked. When an active criminal warrant is found, the application shall be reviewed and local law enforcement shall be notified of the information provided.

No visitation is allowed while the visitation application is in pending status.

Offender Eligibility

All offenders, except those offenders in intake status or as specifically provided herein, are eligible to apply for visits while confined to LCIW.

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 at the request of an offender. If the intake process exceeds thirty (30) days, the offender may request a special visit with immediate family members in accordance with LCIW visiting procedures.

Offenders 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 stepchild.

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 shall submit a written request and shall accompany 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 offender’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. If approved by the Warden, the visit may be contact or non-contact at the Warden’s discretion.

Visitation Process

At the time of admission and then quarterly as per schedule, offenders may apply for approval to visit with family members and friends. LCIW offenders mail visiting applications to those they wish to visit.  The application must then be mailed back to LCIW (faxed applications are not accepted).  Once applications are returned to LCIW, LCIW employees process the completed applications, and criminal record checks are run. Offenders are notified when their requested visitors are approved to visit.

The number of approved visitors allowed in any one visit is determined by the custody status of the offender. Minimum and Achievement Custody offenders may have up to 6 adult visitors per visit while Medium Custody offenders may visit with up to 4 approved adult visitors. There is no limit on the number of children under age 15 who may attend Minimum or Medium Custody visits. Maximum Custody offenders are only allowed two visitors per visit and Death Row are allowed only one approved visitor each visit. There is no limit on children for Maximum Custody visits if it is the offender’s own children, or if others are approved in advance by the Warden. All custody levels excluding non-contact visits are limited to two visits each month with each visit lasting up to two hours. In addition, Minimum Custody and Achievement Status offenders will be allowed an additional four hours a month for immediately family only.  The duration of non-contact visits is at the discretion of the Warden, but may be up to two hours.

Families driving long distances to visit with offenders are suggested to call LCIW prior to leaving home to make sure visitation will be held that day. Visitors should also be aware that circumstances in prisons can change abruptly. Visitation may be canceled if necessary without prior notice.

LCIW takes into consideration the impact visits with parents or grandparents in a correctional setting may have on young children and provides age appropriate books in the gym to entertain and occupy the minds of these children. At all times, children must be supervised by the offender who is being visited or the adult visitor who brought the children.

Visitation is a privilege, not a right. Violation of rules may result in termination of the visit, loss of the offender’s visiting privileges, banning of the visitor from entering the institution or its grounds, and/or criminal charges as circumstances warrant.

Contact/Non-Contact Visits

Most visits at LCIW take place in the Visiting Room and are monitored by security officers. However, in certain situations, offenders/visitors may be placed on non-contact visitation status for the safe and secure operation of the institution. Death row offenders generally have non-contact visits with their approved visitors, but are now allowed 2 (two) contact visits each year. Offenders who are housed in segregation/disciplinary units (which include protective custody) are also placed on non-contact visitation status.

All offender visits with attorneys are contact visits.

Any offender who pleads guilty or has been found guilty of a disciplinary rule for one (1) or more of the following reasons will be subject to non-contact visits for a minimum of six (6) months:

• Possession of any drug or drug paraphernalia;
• Producing a positive or adulterated urine sample;
• Refusal or substantial delay to provide a urine sample;
• Introduction of contraband into the institution;
• Positive breathalyzer test; or
• Any major rule violation that occurs in the visitation area.

Such restriction is formally reviewed, at a minimum, every six (6) months.

Shared Visits

While LCIW allows offenders with the same immediate family members to visit together, shared visits have been started for those who don’t have frequent visits. Shared visits consist of a regular visit along with an additional offender and may be considered if the offender meets certain criteria. Achievement status and/or minimum custody offenders who have not received a visit in the past year and have not received a disciplinary report within the past six months of request may be eligible for shared visit once a quarter of the calendar year. Eligible offenders must submit written requests for a shared visit at least four (4) weeks prior to the requested date. Both offenders will be notified within one (1) week of the requested visit date whether the request is approved or denied.

Visiting Days/Hours

Monday & Wednesday – 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Death Row

Friday 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. All general population offenders and those offenders assigned to maximum custody, segregation or disciplinary units.

Saturday & Sunday- 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Contact visits for Medium, Minimum Custody by dorm as assigned per weekend. The Aquarius and Gemini dormitories and the Pisces and Libra dormitories alternate weekend days so that offenders in each dorm will be able to visit on a Saturday and Sunday on alternating weekends.

Offenders housed in the Honor Dorm may visit during approved visiting hours on Saturday and Sunday.

NOTE: Visitors are not accepted after 1:15 p.m.

Visiting Rules:

1. 1. Visitors must present picture identification at the time of each visit. The only exceptions shall be minor children below the age of eighteen (18). Failure to do so could result in a denial of the visit. The only forms of identification accepted by LCIW are: (1) A valid driver’s license from the state of residence; (2) A valid state photo identification card from the state of residence; (3) A valid military photo identification card (active duty only); and (4) a valid passport.
   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. When drug detection dogs (K-9’s) are in use at the facility, visitors shall be subject to search by these dogs, which are non-aggressive. All visitors will be searched prior to entering the visiting room and/or during the visit. If you do not wish to be searched when the dogs are in use, you may choose not to visit.
   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 or cell phones. 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 (clear bags only), 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 offender they are visiting any items except food/ beverage items purchased at the institution.
      4. Visitors shall not communicate with or give anything to an offender they are not visiting, nor shall they communicate with or give anything to another offender’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. Persons are ineligible for visitation with offenders if the person is convicted of or has pending charges concerning any aspect of the following: Introduction of contraband; possession, control or delivery of explosive device; or assisting in escape. 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 the above charges and/or Assault or Battery.
   9. Visitors are allowed to bring only enough cash money for vending machines and/or concessions into the LCIW visiting area.  Financial transactions for offenders shall be in the form of cash and/or credit or debit card payments made at the LCIW Front Control kiosk machines for use by the offender’s approved visitors. Note: Vendor fees shall apply to these transactions.
   10. Visitors should be aware that visiting areas are designed to cultivate a friendly, family atmosphere for all ages. Visitors should dress and act accordingly.  The following apparel is considered inappropriate and shall result in the denial of visits:
       1. Clothing that is similiar in appearance to the clothing worn by the offender population;
       2. Clothing that is similar in appearance to the clothing worn by correctional officers (i.e. camouflage, blue BDU’s , etc.);
       3. Sheer or transparent clothing;
       4. Swimming suits;
       5. Skirts, shorts, skorts, culottes and dresses shorter than three (3) inches above the knee cap and not have deep revealing slits;
       6. Strapless, tube and halter tops, tank tops and strapless dresses;
       7. Tops that expose the midriff;
       8. Tight-fitting pants, such as stirrup, spandex, lycra or spandex-like athletic pants, aerobic/exercise tights or leotards and leggings/jeggings;
       9. Undergarments must be worn at all times and cannot be exposed;
       10. Clothing with revealing holes or tears one (1) inch above the knee cap;
       11. Clothing or accessories with obscene or profane writing, images or pictures;
       12. Gang or club-related clothing or insignia indicative of gang affiliation;
       13. shoes must be worn at all times, except for infants who are carried. House slippers or shower shoes are not allowed.
       14. Hats or other head coverings, except as required by religious beliefs.
       15. Shoes should be appropriate. Shower shoes, house slippers and thongs are not permitted.
   11. 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.