Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women

The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women is a state prison for female inmates located in St. Gabriel, Louisiana that is managed by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. It is the only prison for female inmates in the state.

This facility includes the state’s female death row. However, the vast majority of inmates are in LCIW for drug convictions and prostitution convictions, as Louisiana law treats prostitution as a sexual offense.

It is the mission of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women to provide custody, control, care, and treatment in a professional manner to adult female offenders through enforcement of the laws and management of programs designed to ensure the safety of the public, employees, and offenders while reintegrating offenders into society.

The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women does allow tours that consist of a walking tour of the facility and a meeting with an offender speaker.

Groups desiring a tour of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women should fax their request to the Office of the Warden at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women at (225) 319-2757 at least two weeks prior to the desired date of the tour. The request should include the name of the individual requesting the tour, telephone number, fax number, name of the tour group, preferred date, as well as an alternate date, purpose of the tour, number in group, time of arrival, and sex (male/female). Groups will be limited to forty.

Tours are scheduled on Monday through Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. There are no tours conducted on weekends or holidays. There is one tour scheduled per week so that staff can provide the group with a comprehensive overview of the facility.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women are:

• Monday & Wednesday — 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for Death Row inmates
• Friday — 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for all general population offenders and those offenders 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 offenders in each dorm will be able to visit on a Saturday and Sunday on alternating weekends.

Offenders 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/Non-Contact Visits

Most visits at LCIW take place in the Visiting Room and are monitored by security officers. However, in certain situations, offenders/visitors may be placed on non-contact visitation status for the safe and secure operation of the institution. Death row offenders generally have non-contact visits with their approved visitors but are now allowed two contact visits each year. Offenders who are housed in segregation/disciplinary units, which include protective custody, are also placed on non-contact visitation status.

Shared Visits

While LCIW allows offenders with the same immediate family members to visit together, shared visits have been started for those who don’t have frequent visits. Shared visits consist of a regular visit along with an additional offender and may be considered if the offender meets certain criteria. 

Achievement status and/or minimum custody offenders who have not received a visit in the past year and have not received a disciplinary report within the past six months of request may be eligible for shared visit once a quarter of the calendar year. Eligible offenders must submit written requests for a shared visit at least four weeks prior to the requested date. Both offenders will be notified within one week of the requested visit date whether the request is approved or denied.

General Visiting Rules

Visitation is not allowed while an inmate is in intake status. Once an offender is removed from intake status, visitation with immediate family members may be authorized at the request of an offender. If the intake process exceeds thirty (30) days, the offender may request a special visit with immediate family members in accordance with LCIW visiting procedures.

At the time of admission and then quarterly as per schedule, offenders may apply for approval to visit with family members and friends. LCIW offenders mail visiting applications to those they wish to visit. The application must then be mailed back to LCIW (faxed applications are not accepted). Once applications are returned to LCIW, employees process the completed applications, and criminal record checks are run. Offenders are notified when requested visitors are approved to visit.

The number of approved visitors allowed in any one visit is determined by the custody status of the offender. Minimum and Achievement Custody offenders may have up to six adult visitors per visit while Medium Custody offenders may visit with up to four approved adult visitors. There is no limit on the number of children under age 15 who may attend Minimum or Medium Custody visits. 

Maximum Custody offenders are only allowed two visitors per visit and Death Row are allowed only one approved visitor each visit. There is no limit on children for Maximum Custody visits if it is the offender’s own children, or if others are approved in advance by the Warden. 

All custody levels excluding non-contact visits are limited to two visits each month with each visit lasting up to two hours. In addition, Minimum Custody and Achievement Status offenders will be allowed an additional four hours a month for immediate family only. The duration of non-contact visits is at the discretion of the Warden, but may be up to two hours.

Families driving long distances to visit with offenders are suggested to call LCIW prior to leaving home to make sure visitation will be held that day. Visitors should also be aware that circumstances in prisons can change abruptly. Visitation may be canceled if necessary without prior notice.

LCIW takes into consideration the impact visits with parents or grandparents in a correctional setting may have on young children and provides age appropriate books in the gym to entertain and occupy the minds of these children.

Dress Code

Visitors must be properly dressed. The following clothing is not permitted in the visiting room:

• Cut-off pants
• Halter tops, tank tops, and sleeveless shirts of any type
• Low-cut articles of clothing exposing the upper torso
• See-through clothing
• Mini skirts
• Blue chambray shirts
• Blue jean overalls
• Gray or white sweatshirts
• Camouflage clothing
• T-shirts. A T-shirt is defined as a shirt without a collar or buttons. There is an exception for visitors under the age of 15, but the T-shirts must not be revealing or contain logos which are sexual or racial.

Female visitors may wear culottes and skorts, however, they must be no shorter than one- inch above the knee. No form of seductive garment shall be allowed, and appropriate undergarments (bra and panties) must be worn. If a dress is “see-through” a slip must be worn.

Male and female visitors will be allowed to wear blue jeans and shorts. All shorts must be hemmed and must be no shorter than one-inch above the knee.

What can you bring to a visit?

Visitors are allowed to bring only the following items into the Visiting Room:

• Vehicle keys
• Picture identification
• Cash money for vending machines or ticket machines
• One credit/debit card for use in JPAY kiosk machine

Visitors wishing to place money in an offender’s account at the time of the visit can only do so through the JPAY kiosk machine located in the Visitor Processing Office.

Emergency medications such as nitroglycerin must be left with the Visiting Desk Officer during visiting. All other items must be locked in the visitor’s vehicle.

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 at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Click here for more information or to place an order.

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

​Programs For ​Inmates

Educational Programming

The education/vocational programs provide opportunities for offenders to improve their knowledge and skills, and special activities provide productive and diverse opportunities. Educational/vocational programs include:

Basic Adult Literacy

A reading and writing program designed to teach non-readers through intermediate readers reading skills, and life skills through reading, writing, and mathematical exercises. Offenders whose test scores indicate 1.0 to 4.9 grade level are enrolled in this class.

Adult Basic Education (ABE)/Developmental Studies

ABE/Developmental Studies is a class that provides instruction in the basics of reading, English, and math. This program offers those offenders basic upgrades to prepare them for a variety of vocational occupations and classes offered through Baton Rouge Community College–LCIW campus. This class uses some computer instruction, as well as individual personal instruction to teach these skills. This class is open to offenders who test at or above the 5.0 grade level.

High School Equivalency (HSE)

HSE is a class that enhances instruction in reading, English, math, science, and social studies. Offenders with test scores 5.0 and above are enrolled in this program. Students participating in this program work towards achieving their high school equivalency diploma.

Culinary Arts Class

The Culinary Arts class provides offenders with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the food service industry. This is a program offered to offenders within 36 months of release. 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. As an optional component of the class, offenders have the opportunity to obtain the nationally recognized ServSafe Certificate. The grade level requirement to be admitted to this class is 9.0 or greater.

Horticulture Class

The Horticulture class provides offenders with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as arborists, florists, horticulturists, and landscape contractors. Training emphasizes the study of plants, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, planting techniques and planning, and management of horticultural enterprises. Testing for Louisiana State Licensure is offered to qualified candidates. The grade level requirement to be admitted to this class is 10.0 or greater.

Upholstery Class

This class provides offenders with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the field of upholstery. Training is provided in restoring furniture, upholstered items, and automobile and boat interiors. This is approximately an 18-month program. The grade level requirement to be admitted to this class is 8.0 or greater.

Welding

LCIW’s Welding program takes individuals through a welding curriculum providing industry-based credentials as the student progresses. The course is designed to provide hands-on training. Students are instructed in stick, mig, and tig welding principles, working with steel and various allows in plate and pipe configurations. Length of the class is 12 to 18 months.  Students must score at least an 8.0 on the TABE test to potentially qualify.

Offender Reentry Programming

Reentry programming for each offender begins at intake as needs are determined and goals to be achieved during incarceration are set. Prior to release, offenders complete 100 hours of structured programming geared to prepare the offender for reintegration into society. Topics include resume writing, interviewing skills, interacting with government agencies, assistance with getting necessary information, parenting, anger management, and substance abuse instruction. Community agencies also present information pertinent to release during this program.

Other Programs & Services

Program for Caring Parents

This is a visitation component in which children and grandchildren age 10 and under are allowed to come onto the grounds on the fifth Saturdays during the year to spend the day with their mothers and/or grandmothers. 

Other special family-centered events included in the program are the annual Easter Children’s Day and Christmas Extravaganza. Offenders must enroll their children and grandchildren in advance to be screened for approval and attend these programs.

Teen Day is the annual visitation program that allows teenagers (11 to 17 years old) to spend the day with their mothers and/or grandmothers.

Parenting Program

Partners in Parenting Program is a seven-week program designed to focus on concepts important for effective parenting such as communication skills, guidance techniques, and strategies for discipline. The program also focuses on building skills, providing support, and helping parents understand needs and abilities of children during the different stages of development.

Morals Integrity Group-The Louisiana Sex Offender Risk Management Project

This group is for adjudicated offenders and has a psycho-educational component and a treatment component. Its theoretical foundation is cognitive behavioral and is strongly grounded in relapse prevention. This 26-week program allows offenders to explore the nature of the events, thoughts, and feelings related to their sexually inappropriate behavior with expectations that the offender shifts from maintaining inappropriate behaviors to expressing more appropriate and healthy sexual behavior. To graduate, offenders must successfully complete each phase, taking both pre-tests and post-tests for each phase, completing group and homework assignments, and obeying group rules.

Survivors of Domestic Violence

LCIW’s Survivors of Domestic Violence Program is sponsored by the Capital Area Family Violence Intervention Center (Battered Women). The program is ten weeks in length and is facilitated by AFVIC volunteers. The program is structured in two phases: Phase I Education Group (support group) and Phase II Leadership Group (mentor group). The program focuses on teaching participants about abusive relations and helping participants learn how to build healthy relationships.

Living in Balance

This is an eight and a half-week program in which offenders receive structured programming during the evening hours and work or go to school during the day. The core sessions for this program include: alcohol and other drug education; triggers, cravings and avoiding relapse; planning for sobriety; alcohol and tobacco; spirituality; sex, drugs, and alcohol; stress and emotional well-being; skills for reducing stress; negative emotions; anger and communication; and relapse prevention.

Faith Based Programs

The Faith Based Programs of LCIW provide services to meet the needs of a growing offender population while assisting offenders with their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community following release. The chaplain, as the Volunteer Coordinator, works closely with the community networking with clergy and laymen alike from various faith groups and organizations to bring forth core changes in offenders, with the goal of reducing recidivism following release.

Big Sister’s Program

This is an orientation program for new admits to LCIW. Representatives from various departments such as Mental Health, Records, Classification, Offender Banking, and Medical partner with representatives from offender organizations to present newly assigned offenders with information on services provided by each department and how to access those services.

Offender Organizations

Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women has four (4) offender organizations: Jaycees, Lifers, Culinary Arts, and Toastmasters. These organizations all seek to provide a means for the offenders to use their time productively and to learn to give something back to society, within and outside the prison.

LCIW Jaycees 

This program provides training in leadership development and instills civic awareness. The Jaycees provide civic service through the organized efforts of young people in the community by enriching the welfare of the community and its citizens through active, constructive projects.

LIFERS

In 1992, the Ladies Involved For Education Rehabilitation Service otherwise known as the LIFERS Association of LCIW was formed. The Association enables Lifers to come together and assist one another through the exchange of ideas and opinions. With the assistance of the administration, the LIFERS Association hopes to establish for its members an opportunity to forge a better relationship among themselves, their families, and the community.

The Toastmasters

The mission of the Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

Culinary Arts Club

The Culinary Arts Club provides members with knowledge and skills in the food service industry. Activities include organizing menus, budgeting, purchasing, preparing, and serving quality food. The club provides opportunities to learn garnishing, nutritional content, food processing, presentation of meals, gourmet cooking, equipment, sanitation, safety, and self-management skills. It helps members realize their full potential in the world of food service and prepares them for productive citizenship.

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Careers at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women

If you are interested in a career with the Louisiana Department of Corrections at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, you can click here for more information.