New Castle Correctional Facility is a privately managed correctional facility located in Indiana, United States. It is owned by the Indiana Department of Correction and managed by The GEO Group, Inc. The facility has a maximum capacity of 3,200 adult male incarcerated individuals with security levels 1-4, special needs, and mental health inmates. The facility was established in 2002 and has been operational since then.
New Castle Correctional Facility is one of the largest correctional facilities in Indiana and is known for its strict security measures. The facility provides various programs and services to the inmates, including education, vocational training, and counseling. It also has a medical unit that provides healthcare services to the inmates. The facility has a staff of over 500 employees, including correctional officers, medical staff, and administrative personnel.
The New Castle Correctional Facility is located in Henry County, Indiana. The facility is situated on a 96-acre site and has several buildings, including housing units, administration buildings, and medical facilities. The facility is surrounded by a high-security fence and has several security measures in place to ensure the safety of the inmates and staff. The facility is an important part of the Indiana Department of Correction and plays a significant role in the state’s correctional system.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 3,200 |
| Physical Address | 1000 Van Nuys Road, P.O. Box E, New Castle, IN 47362 |
| Mailing Address | 1000 Van Nuys Road, P.O. Box E, New Castle, IN 47362 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (765) 593-0111 |
| Jurisdiction | GEO Group |
History
New Castle Correctional Facility is a privately-managed correctional facility located in New Castle, Indiana. It was established in 2002 as the first Indiana Department of Correction-owned, privately managed correctional facility in the state. The facility has a maximum capacity of 3,200 adult male incarcerated individuals with security levels 1-4, special needs, and mental health inmates.
Opening of the Facility
The New Castle Correctional Facility was opened in 2002 under the management of the Correctional Services Corporation. The facility was designed to provide a secure, safe, and humane environment for inmates. It aimed to provide educational and vocational training programs to help inmates become productive members of society upon release.
Management Changes
In 2005, the Indiana Department of Correction awarded the contract to manage the New Castle Correctional Facility to The GEO Group, Inc. The GEO Group is a private prison company that manages correctional facilities in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The company has been criticized for its treatment of inmates, including inadequate medical care and mistreatment of mentally ill inmates.
Geo Group Takeover
The GEO Group takeover of the New Castle Correctional Facility was marked by controversy. In 2008, the facility was placed on lockdown after a series of violent incidents involving inmates. The lockdown lasted for several weeks, during which time inmates were confined to their cells for 23 hours a day.
Despite these controversies, the New Castle Correctional Facility remains in operation and continues to house inmates. The facility has implemented a number of reforms in recent years, including improved medical care and expanded educational and vocational training programs.
Location and Capacity
New Castle Correctional Facility is located in New Castle, Indiana. It is a medium-security correctional facility that is operated by the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC). The facility is situated on a 42-acre site and is surrounded by a double fence with razor wire on the top.
The facility has a total capacity of 3,200 beds, making it one of the largest correctional facilities in Indiana. It is designed to house adult male offenders who have been sentenced to more than one year of incarceration. The facility is also equipped with a medical unit that provides healthcare services to the inmates.
In addition to the main facility, New Castle Correctional Facility also has an annex that was completed in 2011. The annex has a capacity of 1,248 beds and is operated by GEO Group, a private corrections company. The annex is located adjacent to the main facility and is connected to it by a secure corridor.
The table below summarizes the key information about New Castle Correctional Facility:
- Overall, New Castle Correctional Facility is a significant correctional institution in Indiana that plays a crucial role in the state’s criminal justice system.
Administration and Staff
New Castle Correctional Facility is staffed by a team of professionals who are dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the facility, as well as the well-being of the inmates. The facility is overseen by the Indiana Department of Correction, and the day-to-day operations are managed by a team of administrators and correctional officers.
Commissioner
The Commissioner of the IDOC is responsible for the overall administration of the state’s correctional system. The Commissioner is appointed by the Governor and serves as a member of the Governor’s cabinet. The current Commissioner is Robert Carter, who was appointed in 2021. As Commissioner, Carter is responsible for overseeing the operations of all of the state’s correctional facilities, including New Castle Correctional Facility.
Correctional Officer
The Correctional Officers at New Castle Correctional Facility are responsible for maintaining order and security within the facility. They are responsible for supervising inmates, enforcing rules and regulations, and ensuring that the facility is secure. Correctional Officers receive extensive training before they are assigned to work at the facility, including training in self-defense, firearms, and emergency procedures.
The Correctional Officer staff at New Castle Correctional Facility includes both male and female officers, who work in various roles throughout the facility. Some officers are responsible for supervising inmates in the housing units, while others work in specialized units such as the medical unit or the education unit.
In addition to the Correctional Officers, the facility is also staffed by a team of administrative professionals, including nurses, counselors, and other support staff. These professionals work together to provide a safe and secure environment for the inmates, while also providing them with the resources they need to successfully reintegrate into society upon their release.
Overall, the administration and staff at New Castle Correctional Facility are committed to ensuring that the facility operates in a safe and secure manner, while also providing inmates with the resources they need to successfully transition back into society.
Offenders
New Castle Correctional Facility houses a variety of offenders, including those who have been convicted of felonies and misdemeanors. The facility offers a range of programs and services to help inmates address their criminogenic needs and reduce the potential for recidivism.
Inmate Programs
The facility offers a range of programs aimed at addressing the needs of the inmates. These programs include academic, vocational, cognitive behavioral, substance abuse, life skill, and transition planning. The programs are evidence-based and aim to help inmates develop skills and knowledge that will help them succeed once they are released.
Behavior Management
The facility has a behavior management system in place to ensure the safety and security of staff and inmates. The system includes a range of measures, including counseling, disciplinary procedures, and incentives for good behavior.
Inmate Visitation
The facility allows inmates to have visitors, and there are specific rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety and security of staff, visitors, and inmates. Visiting hours are scheduled based on the inmate’s housing unit. Visitors must complete a visitation application and be approved before they can visit an inmate. Non-contact visits are also available, and visitors can add themselves to an inmate’s visitors list.
Visitation hours are subject to change, and visitors should contact the facility for the most up-to-date information (check here for more information). Visitors should also be aware of the facility’s dress code and prohibited items.
Contact Information
Inmates can receive mail at the following address:
- New Castle Correctional Facility 1000 Van Nuys Road, P.O. Box E, New Castle, IN 47362
Visitors can contact the facility at (765) 593-0111 for more information about visiting hours and visitation application procedures.
New Castle Correctional Facility is operated by the Indiana Department of Correction, and visitors should be familiar with the department’s rules and regulations regarding visitation.
Services and Programs
The New Castle Correctional Facility offers a range of services and programs aimed at addressing the criminogenic needs of individuals and reducing the potential for recidivism. The facility provides evidence-based programming that includes academic, vocational, cognitive behavioral, substance abuse, life skill, and transition planning.
Education and Training
The facility offers a variety of educational and training programs, including GED preparation courses, literacy and life skills training, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. In addition, the In2Work program provides business computer application training to help inmates develop the skills necessary to secure employment after release.
Culinary Arts and Barbering
The culinary arts and barbering programs provide vocational training to inmates interested in pursuing careers in these fields. The programs offer hands-on experience and instruction in the skills necessary to succeed in these industries.
Thinking for a Change
The Thinking for a Change program is a cognitive-behavioral program designed to help inmates develop the skills necessary to make positive changes in their lives. The program focuses on problem-solving and decision-making skills, as well as social skills development.
Career Development Training
The facility offers career development training to help inmates prepare for the job market after release. The program includes job search skills, resume writing, and interview preparation.
Military Veterans Unit
The Military Veterans Unit provides specialized programming for incarcerated veterans. The program offers a range of services, including peer support, vocational training, and counseling services.
Vocational-Building Trades
The vocational-building trades program provides hands-on training in construction trades, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and masonry. The program offers inmates the opportunity to develop skills that can be used in the construction industry after release.
Master Student/Master Employee
The Master Student/Master Employee program provides inmates with the skills necessary to succeed in both academic and employment settings. The program focuses on time management, goal-setting, and communication skills.
Creative Arts Program
The facility’s creative arts program offers inmates the opportunity to express themselves through art. The program includes instruction in a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing, and sculpture.
Outpatient Psychiatric Services
The facility provides outpatient psychiatric services to inmates who require mental health treatment. The program offers counseling and medication management services.
Anger Management
The anger management program is designed to help inmates develop the skills necessary to manage their anger and improve their interpersonal relationships. The program includes instruction in communication skills, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
Regulations and Policies
The New Castle Correctional Facility has a set of strict regulations and policies that all inmates, visitors, and staff must follow. These regulations and policies are in place to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved and to maintain order within the facility.
Firearms and Weapons
Firearms, knives, ammunition, and other weapons are strictly prohibited within the New Castle Correctional Facility. Any person found in possession of such items will face disciplinary action and may also face criminal charges.
Narcotics and Controlled Substances
The use, possession, or distribution of narcotics or controlled substances is strictly prohibited within the facility. Inmates found in possession of such substances will face disciplinary action and may also face criminal charges. Visitors found attempting to smuggle such substances into the facility will be denied visitation privileges and may also face criminal charges.
Visitation Regulations
Visitation at the New Castle Correctional Facility is a privilege, not a right. Visitors must follow all regulations and policies in order to maintain their visitation privileges. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list and must present a valid photo ID upon arrival. All visitors are subject to search and may be denied entry if they are found to be in possession of prohibited items.
Mail Regulations
All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by facility staff. Inmates may not receive mail that contains prohibited items such as weapons, drugs, or other contraband. All mail must be addressed to the inmate using their full name and identification number. Inmates are not allowed to correspond with other inmates in other facilities or with individuals who have been released from the facility.
Overall, the regulations and policies at the New Castle Correctional Facility are in place to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved. Visitors and inmates alike must follow these regulations and policies in order to maintain a safe and secure environment within the facility.
Privatization and Controversies
Managed by Aramark
The New Castle Correctional Facility is a privately-run prison that is managed by Aramark, a company that provides food, facilities, and uniform services to prisons and other institutions. Aramark has been the subject of controversy in recent years due to allegations of mistreatment of prisoners, poor food quality, and unsanitary conditions in the facilities they manage.
Segregation
The New Castle Correctional Facility has also been criticized for its use of segregation as a form of punishment. In 2014, the facility was sued by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) over its use of solitary confinement, which the ACLU claimed was being used excessively and inappropriately.
Privately Run
The New Castle Correctional Facility is one of many privately-run prisons in the United States. Privately-run prisons have been the subject of much controversy in recent years, with critics arguing that they are more focused on making a profit than on rehabilitating prisoners and reducing recidivism rates.
Despite these criticisms, many privately-run prisons are accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA), which sets standards for the management and operation of correctional facilities in the United States. The New Castle Correctional Facility is one such facility, having received ACA accreditation in 2019.
Private Prisons in the United States
The use of privately-run prisons in the United States has been a topic of debate for many years. Proponents argue that they are more cost-effective than publicly-run facilities, while critics claim that they are less effective at reducing recidivism rates and that they contribute to the problem of mass incarceration in the United States.
In 2016, the Obama Administration announced plans to phase out the use of privately-run prisons by the federal government. However, these plans were reversed by the Trump administration in 2017, and the use of privately-run prisons by the federal government has continued.