The Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC) is a Missouri Department of Corrections facility located in Vandalia, Missouri. The facility serves as a reception and diagnostic center for female offenders entering the Missouri Department of Corrections system. It also houses medium, maximum, and minimum-security offenders.
The WERDCC provides a range of services to female offenders, including medical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, educational and vocational programs, and reentry services. The facility also offers a variety of religious and cultural programs to meet the diverse needs of its population.
Visiting hours are available for family members and loved ones to maintain connections with incarcerated individuals. The WERDCC is committed to providing a safe and secure environment that promotes rehabilitation and successful reentry into society.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 1,560 |
| Physical Address | 1101 East Highway 54 Vandalia, MO 63382 United States |
| Mailing Address | C/O Digital Mail Center-Missouri DOC PO Box 25678 Tampa, FL 33622-5678 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (573) 594-6686 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Location and Background
The Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center is a correctional facility located in Vandalia, Missouri. The facility is operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections and serves as the reception and diagnostic center for all female offenders in the state of Missouri.
Physical Address
The physical address of the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center is:
- 1101 East Highway 54
- Vandalia, MO 63382
- United States
The facility is situated on a 1,200-acre site in Audrain County, Missouri. It is located approximately 100 miles northwest of St. Louis and 160 miles southeast of Kansas City. The facility is easily accessible via Highway 54, which runs adjacent to the facility.
The WERDCC was opened in 1998 and has a capacity of 1,560 inmates. It is the largest women’s correctional facility in the state of Missouri. The facility is designed to provide a safe, secure, and humane environment for female offenders while they are being processed, diagnosed, and classified for placement within the Missouri Department of Corrections system.
The WERDCC provides a range of services and programs to help female offenders successfully reintegrate into society upon their release. These services include substance abuse treatment, education and vocational training, mental health services, and parenting classes. The facility also offers a variety of recreational activities, such as sports, arts and crafts, and music programs, to help inmates develop positive social skills and hobbies.
Facilities and Security
The Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center is a state correctional facility located in Vandalia, Missouri. It is operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections and serves as a reception and diagnostic center for female inmates.
Security Level
The facility has a security level of minimum, medium, and maximum. The security level is determined by the nature of the offense and the behavior of the inmate. Inmates with a history of violence or escape attempts are placed in the maximum-security unit. Medium-security inmates are those who have committed less serious offenses or have shown good behavior in the past. Minimum-security inmates are those who are nearing the end of their sentence and have demonstrated good behavior.
Capacity
The facility has a maximum capacity of 1,560 inmates. The facility also has a Transitional Care Unit (TCU) that houses inmates who require medical attention or have special needs.
Permanent Facility
The WERDCC is a permanent facility that spans over 1,000 acres of land. It has several housing units, administrative buildings, and recreational facilities. The housing units are designed to accommodate different security levels and needs of the inmates. The facility also has a medical unit that provides medical and mental health services to the inmates.
In conclusion, the WERDCC is a state-of-the-art facility that provides a safe and secure environment for female inmates. The facility has a range of security levels, a maximum capacity of 2,000 inmates, and a Transitional Care Unit for inmates with special needs. The facility is a permanent structure that spans over 1,000 acres of land and has several housing units, administrative buildings, and recreational facilities.
Inmate Information
Inmate Mailing Address
Inmates at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center can receive mail from family and friends. The mailing address for inmates is as follows:
Offender Name and DOC ID#
C/O Digital Mail Center-Missouri DOC
PO Box 25678
Tampa, FL 33622-5678It is important to include the inmate’s full name and ID number on all correspondence to ensure it is delivered correctly.
Inmate Mail
Inmates are allowed to receive letters, cards, and photographs in the mail. However, any mail that contains contraband, such as drugs or weapons, will be confiscated and the sender may face legal consequences. Inmates are not allowed to receive packages, except for approved items from the commissary.
Identification Code
Each inmate at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center is assigned an identification code upon admission to the facility. This code is used to track the inmate’s movements and activities within the facility.
Classification
Inmates at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center are classified based on their security level and other factors, such as their behavior and programming needs. The classification system helps to ensure that inmates are housed in appropriate units and receive appropriate services and programming.
Visiting Application
Family members and friends of inmates can apply to visit them at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center. Visiting applications can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Corrections website or by contacting the facility directly. Once the application is processed and approved, visitors must adhere to all visiting procedures and rules, including dress codes and behavior guidelines.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center vary depending on the inmate’s classification level. General population inmates are allowed visits on Fridays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. TCU and diagnostic offenders are allowed visits on Saturdays from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm and Sundays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Immediate family members are allowed to visit TCU and diagnostic offenders during the treatment and diagnostic sessions. The Let’s Start Bus Trip visits occur on the 4th Sunday of each month during the afternoon visiting session.
Phone Number
Family members and friends of inmates can contact the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center at (573) 594-6686 for more information about visiting procedures and other inquiries related to inmates.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
The Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center offers a variety of treatment and rehabilitation programs to help offenders reintegrate into society. These programs aim to address underlying issues that may have led to criminal behavior and provide the necessary tools for successful reentry.
Mental Health Services
The WERDCC has a team of mental health professionals that provide a range of services, including individual and group therapy, medication management, and crisis intervention. These services are available to all offenders, regardless of their sentence length or custody level.
The mental health team at WERDCC also offers specialized programs for offenders with severe mental illness. These programs include the Transitional Living Unit (TLU), which provides a supportive environment for offenders with mental illness to transition back into the community.
Substance Abuse Treatment
The WERDCC offers a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program, which includes individual and group therapy, educational classes, and support groups. The program is designed to address the underlying causes of substance abuse and provide offenders with the necessary skills to maintain sobriety after release.
The substance abuse treatment program at WERDCC also includes a specialized program for pregnant and parenting women. This program provides additional support and resources for women who are struggling with substance abuse and parenting responsibilities.
Overall, the treatment and rehabilitation programs at WERDCC aim to provide offenders with the necessary tools and resources to successfully reintegrate into society. These programs are an important part of the rehabilitation process and play a vital role in reducing recidivism rates within the prison system.
Special Programs and Events
The Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center offers several special programs and events to its inmates. These programs are designed to help inmates develop new skills, improve their mental and physical health, and prepare for life after release.
Girl Scouts Beyond Bars
One of the special programs offered at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center is the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program. This program allows inmates to participate in the Girl Scouts program with their daughters. The program is designed to strengthen the bond between mothers and daughters and help inmates develop parenting skills.
The Girl Scouts Beyond Bars visits will continue to occur on the 4th Saturday of each month, during the afternoon visiting session.
Inmates who participate in the program attend regular meetings and participate in activities with their daughters. They also have the opportunity to earn badges and awards. The program has been successful in improving family relationships and reducing recidivism rates among participants.
Let’s Start Bus Trip
Another special program offered at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center is the Let’s Start Bus Trip. This program is designed to help inmates prepare for life after release by providing them with practical skills and resources.
Inmates who participate in the program attend a one-day bus trip to St. Louis. During the trip, they visit various community resources and organizations, such as housing agencies, job training centers, and social service agencies. They also have the opportunity to meet with employers and learn about job opportunities in the area.
The Let’s Start Bus Trip program has been successful in helping inmates find employment and housing after release. It has also helped to reduce recidivism rates among participants.
Overall, the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center offers several special programs and events to its inmates. These programs are designed to help inmates develop new skills, improve their mental and physical health, and prepare for life after release.
Notable Cases
Angela Mesmer
Angela Mesmer, a former nurse, was convicted of murdering her husband and sentenced to life in prison without parole. She was incarcerated at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Vandalia, Missouri. Mesmer escaped from the prison in 2002, leading to a statewide manhunt. She was eventually recaptured and transferred to a higher security facility.
Female Death Row
Missouri has executed only one woman since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. That woman, Frances Elaine Newton, was executed in 2005 for the murder of her husband and two children. Newton was held at the Mountain View Unit in Gatesville, Texas, but was transferred to the WERDCC for her execution.