Dixon Correctional Institute is a state prison located in Jackson, Louisiana, approximately 30 miles north of Baton Rouge. It is operated by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections and has a capacity of 1,800 inmates. Dixon Correctional Institute is one of several facilities operated by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, including the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Dixon Correctional Institute provides a range of educational and vocational programs to inmates, including adult basic education, GED preparation, and vocational training in areas such as welding, carpentry, and automotive repair. The facility also offers substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and religious programs. Visitation is allowed at Dixon Correctional Institute, and visitors must follow strict guidelines and dress codes.
Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola, is located nearby and is the largest maximum-security prison in the United States. The two facilities are often compared due to their proximity and the fact that they are both operated by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. However, Dixon Correctional Institute is a medium-security prison, while Louisiana State Penitentiary is a maximum-security prison.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 1,800 |
| Physical Address | 5568 LA-68, Jackson, LA 70748 |
| Mailing Address | Post Office Box 788, Jackson, LA 70748 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (225) 634-1200 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Location and History
Location
Dixon Correctional Institute (DCI) is a Louisiana state prison located about 30 miles north of Baton Rouge. To reach the facility from downtown Baton Rouge, one can take I-110 North for approximately 8 miles, merge onto U.S. Highway 61 North via Exit 8B toward Natchez, travel 12.3 miles, and turn right onto Louisiana Hwy. 68 and travel 9.6 miles. The prison is enclosed by a white picket fence.
History
Dixon Correctional Institute was established in 2001 and is a medium-security prison that houses adult male offenders. The facility has a capacity of 1,800 inmates. It is part of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections, which is responsible for supervising, housing, and rehabilitating offenders in the state of Louisiana.
The prison is named after James “Jim” Dixon, who served as Louisiana’s governor from 1940 to 1944. Dixon was known for his tough stance on crime, and his administration was responsible for establishing the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel.
DCI provides a range of programs and services to inmates, including educational and vocational programs, counseling, and substance abuse treatment. The facility also has a unit for inmates with special needs and a mental health unit.
In recent years, DCI has faced criticism for overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate medical care. In 2018, the prison was the subject of a federal lawsuit alleging that inmates were being subjected to inhumane conditions, including excessive heat and inadequate medical care. The lawsuit was settled in 2020, with the state agreeing to make improvements to the facility.
Facilities and Programs
Facilities
Dixon Correctional Institute is a medium-security prison located approximately 30 miles north of Baton Rouge. The facility is surrounded by a white picket fence and has a capacity of 1,800 inmates. The prison has a variety of housing units, including dormitories, double-bunked cells, and segregation units. The prison also has a medical unit that provides healthcare services to the inmates.
Programs
Dixon Correctional Institute offers a variety of programs to its inmates, including education, treatment, vocational, substance abuse, automotive, agricultural programs, industrial operation, pride program, and arts. The prison has an education department that provides courses in adult basic education, GED, and vocational training. The vocational training programs include welding, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and HVAC.
The prison also offers substance abuse treatment programs, including individual and group counseling, peer support groups, and 12-step programs. In addition, the prison has an automotive program that provides training in auto mechanics, and an agricultural program that teaches inmates how to grow and cultivate crops.
Dixon Correctional Institute also has an industrial operation program that provides job training in manufacturing and production. The program includes training in woodworking, metalworking, and other industrial trades. The prison also has a pride program that teaches inmates life skills such as anger management, conflict resolution, and communication.
Finally, the prison has an arts program that allows inmates to express themselves through various forms of art, including painting, drawing, and music. The program provides a creative outlet for inmates and helps them develop skills that can be used outside of prison.
Overall, Dixon Correctional Institute provides a variety of programs that aim to help inmates develop skills and prepare for life after prison.
Visitation and Rules
Visitation Hours
Dixon Correctional Institute allows for contact and non-contact visitation for inmates. Visitors can visit on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Non-contact visiting is only on Fridays. Visitors will not be admitted to DCI after 3:00 p.m. Visitors are not allowed to bring any electronic devices, including cell phones, into the facility.
Rules
Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list and must present a valid picture identification card, such as a driver’s license or state ID. Visitors must also provide the inmate’s ID number and mailing address when scheduling a visit. Visitors are subject to searches and must consent to a search of their person, vehicle, and property before entering the facility. Refusal to submit to a search will result in denial of visitation.
Visitors are not allowed to bring any contraband into the facility. This includes any type of weapon, firearm, or any other item deemed inappropriate by the facility. Visitors are not allowed to bring in any property, including food or drinks, for the inmate. Visitors are also not allowed to leave any property in the inmate’s possession.
Visitors are allowed to park in the designated parking lot and must follow all parking rules. Visitors must also follow all rules and regulations while on the facility grounds, including dress code requirements. Visitors who violate any of the rules and regulations may be subject to disciplinary action, including denial of future visitation.
Inmates who are on extended lockdown are not allowed to receive visitors. Inmates who are in counseling or therapy sessions may also be denied visitation during those times. Visitors who are denied visitation will be notified in writing and given the reason for the denial.
Population and Care
Population
Dixon Correctional Institute is a facility operated by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. As of the latest available data, DCI had a population of 1,800 people in prison. The facility houses male offenders.
Care
DCI’s mission is to provide custody, care, control, and treatment of adjudicated people in prison through the enforcement of laws and management of programs designed to ensure the safety of the public, staff, and imprisoned people. The facility provides a range of services to meet the needs of its population, including medical and mental health care, educational and vocational programs, and non-contact visiting.
DCI’s staff is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for both staff and the people in prison. The facility has a zero-tolerance policy for violence, and staff receive ongoing training to ensure they have the skills and knowledge necessary to manage the population effectively.
Overall, DCI is committed to providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for the people in prison in its care. The facility’s staff works tirelessly to ensure that the population’s needs are met and that they have access to the resources and programs necessary to help them successfully reintegrate into society upon release.