Allen Correctional Center

Allen Correctional Center is a state prison located in Allen Parish, Louisiana and is operated by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

It is the policy of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections and Allen Correctional Center to maintain a secure institutional environment that ensures the safety of the public, provides a safe working climate for employees, and offers humane and safe living conditions for offenders. To accomplish this end, a highly organized system of interrelated policies, procedures, emergency plans, and systematic manpower practices are employed.

Allen Correctional Center is committed to the reentry initiatives of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The Reentry Program outline describes the intent of the Department to provide persons released from the Department with certain fundamental resources in the areas of employment, life skills, and job placement, as well as to provide offenders access to as many support services as possible to substantially increase the likelihood of successful reentry into society and reduce recidivism.

Allen Correctional Center utilizes an aggressive classification procedure that incorporates a multifaceted process, whereby individual offenders are assisted in correcting their behavior. The process spans reception, orientation, treatment planning, programming, progress assessment, reclassification, as well as preparation for release and reintegration into the community. 

Program staff provides a wide range of inter­disciplinary services to the offender to include medical, psychiatric, psychological, social, religious, vocational, educational, and recreational programs and services within the context of the total correctional system.

The Department operates the state’s facilities under the principle that all administrative and management decisions either directly or indirectly affect the security and treatment goals of the facility. In that context, facility staff serves as important and productive role models for offenders by conveying mainstream societal values to the offender population. 

Throughout the course of a day, opportunities for interaction between staff and offenders provide a means to teach or reinforce appropriate offender behavior, and employees are expected to interact with offenders in a manner consistent with the objectives of the facility.

The goals of Allen Correctional Center are to ensure public safety, as well as staff and offender safety while providing basic services to inmates and an opportunity for change and reentry to the community. They also provide inmates an opportunity for making amends by participating in community restorative initiatives as a mechanism to compensate, in some fashion, individuals and communities harmed by crime.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours are from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday of each week. In months where a fifth Saturday and/or Sunday occur, visitation will be allowed for minimum trustee and medium honor offenders only. Medium and maximum custody offenders will not be allowed visitors on these days. No visitors are allowed to enter after 2:00 p.m.

General Visiting Rules

• Any visitor who refuses to be searched will be refused entry.
• If contraband is found on a visitor or if the visitor refuses to be searched or refuses to allow his/her property to be searched, or if the visitor violates any other rules of the institution, that particular visit may be terminated and the visitor instructed to leave the institution.
• All visitors, 18 years of age and older, must have a state picture identification card in order to visit with an offender.
• All minors (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult who is either a family member of the minor, the minor’s legal guardian, or on the offender’s approved visitation list. 
• All visitors must be placed on the offender’s visitation list, however minors will not be counted on the list until age 18.

When an offender enters Allen Correctional Center, temporary approval is given to the offender’s parents, legal spouse, grandparents, siblings, and children, for a period of sixty days, if listed, in the offender’s Master Prison Record (upon request of the offender). 

These individuals will receive permanent approval after the individual questionnaires have been returned, processed, and approved by the warden. It is the offender’s responsibility to notify the visitor of approval or denial. Each offender is allowed 10 individuals on his approved visiting list. Legal advisors, one (1) approved religious advisor, and children 18 years of age or younger will be allowed to visit, but are not included in the 10 visitors approved on the list. 

Only six people may visit an offender at a time (includes children). A visitor may be removed from the approved visiting list at his/her request or at the request of the offender. Special visits must be approved by the warden.

All visitors with disabilities will have readily accessible facilities and will be reasonably accommodated as appropriate and to the extent possible within the context of the department’s fundamental mission to preserve the safety of the public, staff, and offenders. Advance notice of the accommodation requested will be necessary to ensure its availability at the time of the visit.

These rules are subject to change. Please keep in contact with the offender you are visiting for future changes. 

Dress Code

• No clothing similar in appearance to the clothing worn by the offenders or correctional officers.
• No camouflage, transparent clothing, or swimming suits.
• No skirts, shorts, skorts, culottes, and dresses shorter than one inch above the knee cap and no slits and dresses and skirts.
• No strapless, tube, halter tops, tank tops, or strapless dresses.
• No tops that expose the midriff. No blouses, shirts, or dresses that are low cut.
• No spandex, lycra, or spandex-like athletic, aerobic/exercise tights or leotards. Underwear cannot be exposed.
• No clothing with revealing holes or tears one inch above the knee cap.
• No clothing or accessories with obscene or profane writing, images or pictures, gang or club related clothing or insignia indicative of gang affiliation. Footwear must be worn and remain on at all times.
• No house slippers or shower shoes.

These restrictions apply equally to men, women, and children.

What can you bring to a visit?

Visitors are allowed to bring the following items in the visitation area:

• One unopened pack of cigarettes with lighter.
• Visitors may purchase a Zip Key from the vending machine in the Squad Room to make purchases out of the vending machines in the visitation area.
• Concession tickets can be purchased out of the ticket machine in the Front Lobby. The cost of each individual ticket is $1.00. Purchased tickets (identified) are accepted for that weekend only. Any money not being used to purchase tickets or a zip key must be returned to the visitor’s vehicle. No money will be allowed in the visiting shed.
• Necessary medication (nitroglycerin tablets, etc.) must be identified upon check-in and will be escorted to the visiting shed check-in station for safekeeping. 
• No purses, clutch purses, waist pouches, etc. are allowed in the visiting shed.

The Canteen Package Program gives family and friends an opportunity to order pre-approved food and hygiene products and personal property items for their loved ones incarcerated in state institutions. Click here for more information or to place an order.

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​Programs For ​Inmates

Educational Programming

Educational programs are a key component of the reentry initiative at Allen Correctional Center. Offender reentry is the process of transitioning an offender back into the community from incarceration. The re-entry initiative provides assessment, identification, and linkage for offenders with services specific to their reentry needs. Offenders begin preparing for release from the point of entry into an institution and through the development of Re-entry Accountability Plans (ReAP) guiding reentry planning and offender programming. This is to promote public safety focused upon the reduction of recidivism.

ACC provides comprehensive and accredited educational programs that are available to all eligible offenders to meet their educational rehabilitative needs. The programs include performance-based curriculums and programs providing offenders scheduling flexibility, accurate records to reflect progress and achievements, and a system for formal recognition of their accomplishments. 

Vocational-technical training programs have also been integrated with academic programs and are devised to be relevant and consistent with the needs of the offender population. Academic instruction includes General Education Development (GED), Adult Basic Education (ABE), Basic Adult Literacy, Correctional Learning Network (CLN), and Special School District (SSD). 

VoTech classes include Culinary Arts, Computer Office Practices, Upholstery, Cabinet Making, and Horticulture. ALC also provides a leisure library offering offenders books and subscription material for their reading requests. Adjacent to the main library, the facility provides a law library, along with offender counsel substitutes, to assist offenders with their legal matters.

Education

General Educational Development (GED)

The GED class enhances instruction in reading, English, math, science, and social studies. Offenders with test scores of 8.0 and above are enrolled in this program. Students from this program progress to their high school equivalency diploma.

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

ABE is a class that provides instruction in the basics of reading, English and math. Offenders whose test scores indicate 6.0 to 7.9 are enrolled in this program.

Basic Adult Literacy

This reading/writing program is designed to teach offenders (non-readers through intermediate readers) reading and life skills through reading, writing, and mathematical exercises. Offenders whose test scores indicate 2.9 to 7.9 grade levels are enrolled in this class.

Correctional Learning Network (CLN)

The Correctional Learning Network classes are conducted by peer tutors in the student’s housing unit.  CLN enhances instruction in reading, English, math, science, and social studies.

Special School District (SSD)

Louisiana Special School District in Baton Rouge, Louisiana provides a special education teacher who works with students who have previously been identified eligible for these services in the public school sector and are less than 25 years of age. The level of these students range from Literacy to GED preparatory requires individualized and small group instruction.

Cabinet Making

Cabinet Making introduces the manipulation of materials, drawing, power tools, measuring, joinery,  and assembly to include preparation and finishing woodwork to accomplish a project.

Culinary Arts Class

The Culinary Arts Class provides offenders with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the food service industry. 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.

Computerized Office Practice

This class provides offenders with the skills needed to obtain an entry-level position in a modern business office. Training is provided in the latest computer operating systems, office technology software, typing skills, and basic office procedures.

Substance Abuse and Other Programming

The purpose of the Substance Abuse Program is to provide substance abuse education to those offenders identified with having a substance abuse history. In order to provide opportunities for involvement by all offenders, the institution offers a combination of classroom group and individual activities and self help meetings.

Recovery Dynamics Drug Education (RDDE)

This is an in-depth, 90-day program that teaches the physical and psychological effects that drugs and alcohol have in an addict’s life. This program is designed to help an addict change his behavior pattern by understanding his chemical dependency.

Alcoholic Anonymous (AA)

The traditional, 12-step AA program target is those who have abused alcohol in their life. This program uses the same format and creed as the established AA program.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

The traditional, 12-step NA program targets those who have abused drugs in their life. This program uses the same format and creed as the established NA program.

Nurturing Fathers

This 90-day program targets offenders that desire to redevelop a healthy relationship with their children. Offenders nearing release are given preference in this program. The program teaches individuals how to build a bridge and understand their child’s emotional needs.

Big Book 12 Step

A 90-day program that dissects and teaches the 12-step principles of AA & NA. Each step is taught and put into practical use to demonstrate the purpose of the AA & NA program.

Christian 12 Step

A 90-day program which dissects and teaches the Christian 12-step principles of AA & NA.  Each step is taught in a spiritual setting and put into practical use to show the purpose of the AA & NA program.

After Care

An ongoing program to continuously refresh and teach those who have completed RDDE and the 12-step study group. This program reiterates the 12-step functions in the lives of addicts and alcoholics.

Living in Balance

A 90-day program that is offered at all state institutions and most recently implemented at ALC.  The program targets those who have abused drugs and alcohol. This program relates itself to pattern changes in an addict’s life.

On the Job Training (OJT)

The OJT program is a two-prong program that is designed to provide offenders with job experience, job safety/MSDS Awareness, and job skills. The general format is derived for the Workplace Readiness Skills course and has been revised to accommodate offenders inside the prison setting.

Religious Programming

Faith based programming is a component of the reentry mission to provide a meaningful opportunity for change. Qualified religious volunteers provide a significant resource in meeting this goal. Religious programming is coordinated by a full-time Chaplain who coordinates daily faith-based program activities for the offender population. The services range from traditional worship to contemporary praise and worship services. Services include but are not limited to the following: Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, Pentecostal, Baptist, Catholic, Muslim, Church of Christ, Jehovah Witness, and Wicca.

Faith Based Training Community

The FBTC Program is offered to offenders to facilitate institutional adjustment, rehabilitation, reintegration into the community, reduction of recidivism, and a full range of religious accommodations. Participation in the program is voluntary and is available to all eligible offenders.

School of Faith

The School of Faith Bible Institute prepares offenders to be empowered for the next level of impact in their personal ministry. The operations of faith impact every area of one’s life and ministry. This school was founded to enhance the personal walk of faith and to develop faith to do the work that God has seeded on the inside of individuals. Since its inception, the goal of this school has been to teach the principles of faith in such a way as to provide the student with the practical skills necessary to navigate through to the will of God for his/her life.

Cornerstone University

The Calvary Theological Seminary offers an academic foundation to offenders within the FBTC that will qualify them to advance to broader studies based upon theological curriculum. Both an associate and bachelor degree program is available for offenders through this accredited program.

Discipleship Seminar

Qualified citizen volunteers offer this faith based study group, providing study material from contemporary praise and worship material.

Life Plan Seminar

Offered only through the FBTC to “School of Faith” and “Cornerstone University.”

Reentry Programming

It is the mission of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections Administration that discharge planning begins at admission and continues throughout the period of incarceration. There are a variety of opportunities available for self-improvement. Louisiana law mandates 100 hours of pre-release training prior to being released. Participation is mandatory by law for all offenders being released from prison.

Pre-Release

The 100 hours of classroom instruction includes the development of communication skills, anger and victim awareness, character inventory, health and wellness, substance abuse, relapse prevention, parenting and family dynamics, money management, job seeking, and job placement skills, probation and parole expectations, identification and housing resources.

Life Plan Seminar

The seminar is designed to help offenders nearing discharge to learn how to set goals in their lives, to help them succeed in society, and to be productive citizens upon return to society.

Abused Boys, Wounded Men

Taking responsibility for breaking the cycle of pain, the program was developed for offenders who are dealing with the repercussions of child abuse.

Thinking for a Change – T4C

An integrated cognitive behavior change program

Pictures of Allen Correctional Center

Careers at Allen Correctional Center