Winn Correctional Center

Winn Correctional Center is a medium-security state prison for male inmates, and it is one of the privately-operated prisons in the state of Louisiana. Currently, the facility is managed by LaSalle Corrections, but owned by the state of Louisiana.

The staff of Winn Correctional Center, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections, provides and maintains the highest level of public safety, staff safety, and offender safety, ensuring a healthy, secure, and productive environment with the opportunity for offender rehabilitation.

Winn Correctional Center has five units: Ash, Birch, Cypress, Dogwood, and Elm. The more difficult prisoners are located in the Ash and Elm units, nicknamed by prisoners as "The Projects." Dogwood houses trustees and better behaved prisoners, Cypress serves as the segregation unit, and Birch houses mentally ill, elderly, and physically handicapped prisoners.

Shane Bauer, a Mother Jones reporter and former detainee in Iran, wrote an article titled, "My Four Months as a Private Prison Guard,” that exposed conditions at the facility like violence among inmates, poor medical and mental healthcare for inmates, and mismanagement and lack of training for CCA employees. His memoir American Prison also detailed these experiences.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visitation is allowed for general population inmates on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Length of visitation is two hours maximum, three hours for Honor Dorm offenders, and four hours for Trustee Status offenders.

Lockdown – Administrative Segregation

Visitation for level 1, 2, and 3 is on Fridays only from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for two hours maximum.

General Visiting Rules

You must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list, and all adults must bring a photo ID to be allowed to visit. You can only bring cash for vending machines, your photo ID, and car keys into the visiting room. 

Dress Code

Visiting areas are designed to cultivate a family atmosphere for family and friends of all ages. Visitors should dress and act accordingly. The following apparel is considered inappropriate and will result in the denial of visits:

• Clothing that is similar in appearance to the clothing worn by the offender population. Male and female visitors shall not wear denim or chambray shirts, gray, blue, or white sweatshirts, or white t-shirts.
• Undergarments, underwear and bra, must not be visible. Underwear must be worn by all visitors.
• Clothing that is similar in appearance to the clothing worn by correctional officers (i.e. camouflage, blue BDU’s, etc.).
• Transparent clothing
• Swimming suits
• Skirts, shorts, skorts, culottes, and dresses shorter than one inch above the knee cap or those with revealing slits.
• Strapless, tube and halter tops, tank tops and strapless dresses
• Tops that expose the midriff
• Low-cut blouses, shirts, and dresses
• Spandex, Lycra, or spandex-like athletic pants, aerobic/exercise tights, or leotards
• Clothing with revealing holes or tears one inch above the knee cap
• Clothing or accessories with obscene or profane writing, images, or pictures
• Gang or club-related clothing or insignia indicative of gang affiliation
• House slippers, shower shoes, and flip flops are not allowed. Footwear must remain on feet at all times.These restrictions apply to all visitors.
• Hats or other head coverings are not permitted, except as required by religious beliefs.

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 Winn Correctional Center. Click here for more information or to place an order.

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

​Programs For ​Inmates

Educational Programming

A full academic and vocational curriculum is available at Winn Correctional Center. The facility provides educational services ranging from literacy training to technical occupational preparation. 

All inmates are encouraged to address their education needs while incarcerated. The staff’s philosophy is one that encourages individuals to become productive, active members of society after their release. All education programs are open to inmates who meet the entry requirements of the program. 

Literacy classes are designed for inmates functioning at the fourth grade and below level. Adult Basic Education classes are designed to help students functioning between fourth and sixth grade levels. Developmental studies/High School Equivalency (HSE) preparations are designed to help students functioning above the sixth grade level, but who have not earned a high school diploma or equivalency.

The vocational classes offered are auto body, basic auto service, computerized information processing, culinary arts, building trades, horticulture and offset printing operations. Correspondence courses are offered to those with the entry requirements and desire to further their education. The education staff monitors the testing of inmates/residents in all areas.

The Prison Enterprise Garment Factory teaches offenders a skill while supplying the Department of Corrections with offender clothing and linens. All state facilities are encouraged to purchase these items from Prison Enterprises, which is responsible for the compensation of offender incentive wages.

Other Programs & Services

Winn Correctional Center offers a variety of self-help programs including:

• Pre-Release Program which utilizes individual counseling, videos, and community resources to help prepare the offender for release and return to his community. Job interviews are scheduled for those who request assistance.
• MAS (Mind Altering Substance Abuse Program) increases awareness of each participant to certain factors evident in the life of a substance abuser and continues to develop these risk factors so each participant has a thorough knowledge of his own individual risk.
• Victim Awareness provides offenders with education through guest speakers, lectures, and various videos on the harm their actions have had on victims (physical, financial, and otherwise) and on their own family members.
• Celebrate Recovery is a ten-month faith-based approach to substance abuse recovery that utilizes the eight principles of the Beatitudes as well as the 12-step principles.
• Thinking for a Change consists of cognitive self-change, social skills, and problem solving skills covered in 25 lessons. The focus is on offenders, 25 years of age or younger.
• Sex Offender Treatment is a four-phase course created to identify and understand the various factors involved in the commitment of sexual crimes. The Louisiana Risk Management model is also offered, which is a cognitive-based sex offender treatment program designed to work with the target behaviors of sexual aggression, abuse and deviance.
• Prison Fellowship is a pre-release program and bible study in a group setting.
• Project Metamorphosis is an introduction to basic life skills in preparation for reintegration into society.
• Character Counts utilizes the seven pillars of character to promote successful citizenship.
• Substance abuse treatment programs such as AA/NA, Twelve Step and Busted Programs.
• Evening Literacy is a program for non-readers and those students assigned to the literacy program that may need additional assistance outside the classroom. This class is taught by volunteers from the Winn Literacy Council.

Pictures of Winn Correctional Center

Careers at Winn Correctional Center

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