Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women is a state-run correctional facility located in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. The facility was established in 1961 and is the only female correctional facility in the state. The institute provides custody, control, care, and treatment to incarcerated adult women in a professional manner.
The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women aims to ensure the safety of the public, employees, and imprisoned women. The facility enforces the laws and manages programs designed to help women release back into society as productive citizens.
The institute provides various programs and services to help women rehabilitate and reintegrate into society, including substance abuse treatment, educational programs, vocational training, and mental health services. FEMA has also recognized the facility for its disaster preparedness efforts.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 320 |
| Physical Address | 15200 Scenic Highway, Baker, LA 70714 |
| Mailing Address | 15200 Scenic Highway, Baker, LA 70714 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (225) 319-2701 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Location and Contact Information
Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) is located in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. The physical address of the facility is 7205 Highway 74, St. Gabriel, LA 70776. The mailing address is P.O. Box 26, St. Gabriel, LA 70776.
LCIW can be contacted by telephone at (225) 319-2701. The facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visitors can call the facility to obtain information on visitation hours and rules.
LCIW’s location in St. Gabriel is easily accessible by car or public transportation. Visitors can use the facility’s physical address to obtain directions. Parking is available on-site for visitors.
Overall, LCIW’s location and contact information are readily available and easy to access. Visitors and loved ones of inmates can contact the facility by telephone or mail for information on visitation hours and rules, as well as for information on sending mail to an inmate.
Visitation
Visitation is an important aspect of life for incarcerated individuals, as it allows them to maintain connections with loved ones and friends. At the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, there are specific rules and regulations for visitation that visitors must follow.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours at LCIW vary depending on the day of the week.
- Monday & Wednesday — 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for women on Death Row
- Friday — 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for all women in general population and women assigned to maximum custody, segregation, or disciplinary units.
- Saturday & Sunday — 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for 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 women in each dorm will be able to visit on a Saturday and Sunday on alternating weekends. Women housed in the Honor Dorm may visit during approved visiting hours on Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors are not accepted after 1:15 p.m.
Contact Visits
Contact visits are not currently allowed at LCIW. All visits are conducted through a glass partition.
Non-Contact Visits
Non-contact visits are conducted through a glass partition. Visitors and inmates are separated by a glass barrier and must communicate through a phone system.
Shared Visits
Shared visits are available for immediate family members of death row inmates. These visits are conducted through a glass partition and are limited to two hours.
Approved Visitors
All visitors must be on an inmate’s approved visitation list. Visitors must complete an application and be approved by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections before they can visit an inmate at LCIW.
Children Under Age 15
Children under the age of 15 are allowed to visit an inmate at LCIW, but they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Children must remain under the supervision of the parent or guardian at all times during the visit.
In conclusion, visitation is an important aspect of life for incarcerated individuals, and LCIW recognizes this. The rules and regulations surrounding visitation at LCIW are in place to ensure the safety and security of all individuals involved.
Custody and Treatment
Custody Status
The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women provides custody, control, care, and treatment to adult women who have been imprisoned. The custody status of the women at LCIW ranges from maximum to medium custody. Maximum custody is reserved for those who pose the greatest risk to the safety and security of the institution. Medium custody is for those who pose a lesser risk.
Maximum Custody
Women in maximum custody are housed in disciplinary units and are subject to strict rules and regulations. They are held in segregation from the general population and have limited access to programs and services. These women are closely monitored by staff and are subject to frequent searches and pat-downs.
Medium Custody
Women in medium custody have more freedom of movement and are able to participate in a wider range of programs and services. They are housed in dormitory-style units and are allowed to interact with other women in the general population.
Intake Status
When a woman is first admitted to LCIW, she goes through an intake process that includes a medical and mental health evaluation, a GED assessment, and a security classification. The security classification determines the custody status of the woman and the level of supervision she will require.
Mental Health Services
LCIW offers a range of mental health services to women who require them. These services include individual and group counseling, medication management, and crisis intervention. Women who have a history of mental illness or who are experiencing a mental health crisis are closely monitored by staff and provided with additional support and treatment as needed.
Overall, LCIW is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the women in its care while also offering programs and services designed to promote rehabilitation and successful reentry into society. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections oversees LCIW and other state prisons with the goal of improving public safety and promoting rehabilitation.
Programs and Services
Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women provides various programs and services to help incarcerated women prepare for life outside of prison. These programs aim to provide care, training, and skills to help women achieve success upon release. Here are some of the programs and services offered at LCIW:
Education Programs
LCIW offers various education programs to help women earn their GED or high school diplomas. These programs are designed to help women improve their literacy skills and prepare them for post-secondary education.
Vocational Programs
LCIW provides vocational programs to help women learn new skills and prepare for employment opportunities after their release. These programs include welding, cosmetology, horticulture, and culinary arts. The vocational programs aim to help women achieve success and self-sufficiency upon their release.
Re-Entry Program
LCIW offers a re-entry program designed to help women transition back into society after their release. The program provides counseling, job training, and other resources to help women successfully reintegrate into their communities.
Horticulture
LCIW offers a horticulture program to help women learn about plant care, landscaping, and other related skills. This program provides hands-on training and helps women develop skills that they can use to find employment in the horticulture industry.
Culinary Arts
LCIW provides a culinary arts program to help women learn about cooking and food preparation. This program provides hands-on training and helps women develop skills that they can use to find employment in the food service industry.
Welding
LCIW offers a welding program to help women learn about welding and metal fabrication. This program provides hands-on training and helps women develop skills that they can use to find employment in the welding industry.
Cosmetology
LCIW provides a cosmetology program to help women learn about hair styling, makeup, and other related skills. This program provides hands-on training and helps women develop skills that they can use to find employment in the beauty industry.
Professional Manner
LCIW provides a program designed to help women develop professional skills and improve their manners. This program includes training on communication skills, conflict resolution, and other related topics. The program aims to help women develop the skills they need to succeed in the workplace and in their personal lives.
Overall, LCIW’s programs and services aim to provide care, training, and skills to help incarcerated women achieve success upon their release. These programs help women develop the skills they need to find employment, reintegrate into their communities, and lead successful lives.
Discipline and Enforcement
The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women is responsible for ensuring the safety of the public, employees, and imprisoned women through enforcement of the laws and management of programs. One of the key aspects of maintaining safety is maintaining discipline within the facility. This section will cover the various aspects of discipline and enforcement at LCIW.
Disciplinary Report
A disciplinary report is a written report of an inmate’s alleged rule violation. The report is given to the inmate, who has the opportunity to defend herself and present evidence. The disciplinary report is then reviewed by a disciplinary hearing officer, who decides whether the inmate is guilty of the alleged violation and the appropriate punishment. The disciplinary report is an important tool for maintaining discipline at LCIW.
Segregation/Disciplinary Units
Segregation and disciplinary units are used to house inmates who have violated rules or are considered a danger to others. Inmates in segregation or disciplinary units are typically confined to their cells for most of the day and have limited access to programs and services. The use of segregation and disciplinary units is a controversial practice, but it is considered necessary in some cases to maintain safety within the facility.
Criminal Record Checks
LCIW conducts criminal record checks on all employees and volunteers who work at the facility. This is done to ensure that individuals with a history of criminal behavior are not allowed to work with inmates. Criminal record checks are an important part of maintaining safety and security at LCIW.
Management of Programs
LCIW offers a variety of programs to inmates, including educational programs, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment. The management of these programs is an important aspect of maintaining discipline and promoting rehabilitation. Inmates who participate in programs are less likely to engage in rule violations and are more likely to successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
In conclusion, discipline and enforcement are critical components of maintaining safety and security at LCIW. The disciplinary report, segregation/disciplinary units, criminal record checks, and management of programs are all important tools for achieving this goal. While some of these practices are controversial, they are considered necessary by the staff at LCIW to ensure the safety of the public, employees, and inmates.
Death Row
Female Death Row
The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women has a death row for female inmates who are sentenced to death. At present, there are no women on death row in Louisiana. However, in the past, there have been female inmates on death row, including Antoinette Frank, who was sentenced to death for killing three people in a restaurant in 1995.
Death Row Inmates
Death row inmates are housed separately from the general population in a special unit. They are kept in their cells for 23 hours a day and are allowed one hour of exercise in a small outdoor area. Death row inmates are also allowed to have visitors, although the visits are non-contact and take place through a glass partition.
In Louisiana, death row inmates are allowed to have a television and a radio in their cells. They are also allowed to receive mail and packages from approved senders.
Disposition
Once an inmate on death row has exhausted all of their appeals, they are moved to the execution chamber. Louisiana uses lethal injection as its method of execution. The execution is carried out by a team of trained professionals, including a physician, who ensures that the inmate is unconscious before the lethal injection is administered.
After the execution, the body is released to the inmate’s family or, if the family does not claim the body, it is buried in a prison cemetery.
Overall, death row at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women is a somber and serious place. While there are no women on death row at present, the possibility of being sentenced to death is a reality for some inmates. The prison takes great care to ensure that all death row inmates are treated humanely and with dignity, even in the face of a sentence as severe as death.