"Elayn Hunt Correctional Center (EHCC) is an adult male maximum security
institution that was opened in 1979. It has an inmate population of 2,089 and
is located at St. Gabriel, Louisiana. EHCC serves multiple functions
for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C). In
addition to housing 1,462 male inmates on a permanent basis, the EHCC facility
has the unique role of being an intake point for adult male offenders committed
to the DPS&C. An additional 452 beds are devoted to this process known as
HRDC (Hunt Reception and Diagnostic
Center). There are an
additional 175 beds dedicated to the Intensive Motivational Program for
Alternative Correctional Treatment (IMPACT), a bootcamp style program. EHCC is
also responsible for coordinating and processing transfers (Transfer Section)
affecting state inmates assigned to the southern region of the state (Region
II); all aspects, other than physical custody, of managing state inmates
assigned to local correctional facilities in the southern region of the state
(Region II); operation of the Hunt Special Unit (HSU) for inmates with acute
mental illnesses; operation of the IMPACT program; as well as services /programs
and security for the EHCC permanent population.
Elayn Hunt
Correctional Center
is the second largest prison in the state of Louisiana. EHCC is a maximum security
facility, housing within its confines all three levels of custody: maximum,
medium and minimum. By departmental policy EHCC receives and holds inmates with
medium and maximum security for disciplinary transfers, mental health and
medical concerns, shock incarceration participants, lifers, and trustees
assigned to work crews. EHCC is a centralized multi-service facility
diversified in functions that benefit all of the Louisiana Department of Public
Safety and Corrections. It is the policy of EHCC to include and encourage the
services of citizen volunteers in the educational, social, religious and
recreational programming of inmate activities at the facility.
EHCC has successfully maintained accreditation by the American Correctional
Association since 1993. The facility’s Mission Statement, Goals and
non-confidential Institutional Policies are available to the general public
upon request by contacting the Warden's Office.
It is the policy of Elayn
Hunt Correctional
Center to provide inmates
the opportunity to visit with all persons on their approved visitor's list. The
number of visitors an inmate may receive and the length of visits may be
limited to institution's schedule, space, personnel constraints or when there
are substantial reasons to justify such limitations.
An inmate will be permitted to have up to ten (10) individuals on his
visiting list after approval is received. There are no restrictions on the sex
or the relationship of the individuals chosen. Inmates should submit visiting
requests to their classification officer.
For the first thirty days after an inmate enters EHCC, identifiable
immediate family members i.e. the inmate's parents, legal spouse, grandparents,
siblings and children of the inmate will be allowed to visit. After 30 days
they must be on an approved visiting list to continue to visit. These
individuals can be officially added to the visiting list after they return the
questionnaires, which are sent to them by the inmate. However, visiting
privileges for these individuals will end if they do not mail the completed
questionnaires to EHCC within 30 days from inmate's reception to EHCC. Attorney
visits are scheduled through the office of the Unit 4 Manager. Special visits
at EHCC are very limited except with regard to approving extended visits for
approved visitors who travel long distances. All special visit requests must be
submitted by inmate to the Visiting Office by the Tuesday of the week of the
desired visit.
If an inmate's stay at HRDC (the reception center) exceeds thirty (30) days,
it is possible for the inmate to request and receive special visits if approval
of the Administration is secured. Such visits are generally allowed with
certain members of the immediate family i.e. parents, legal spouse, sibling,
grandparent or child of the inmate.
Inmates assigned to HRDC or EHCC general population must submit their
requests for special visits in writing to the EHCC Visiting Office. The requests
must be received in the Visiting Office no later than the Tuesday preceeding
the weekend of the desired visit. The request will undergo an Administrative
review, and the result of the request will be posted in Inmate living areas on
the Thursday prior to the requested visit. Special visits are considered those
that for unseen causes could not be requested through the regular visiting
procedures (i.e., relatives coming from out of state, etc...) These visits are
normally limited to immediate family members only. Special visits for inmates
assigned to the secure ward at the hospital may only be approved by the Deputy
Warden for Programs after seven days of the assignment.
Extended Lockdown inmates are assigned to two levels. Level 1 visit on a
non-contact basis on the third Sunday of each month for 30 minutes with
immediate family only. Level 2 has regular visiting privileges.
Inmates may request picnic visiting privileges by submitting their request
in writing to the Visiting Office. Up to seven visitors, including children,
will be allowed for picnic visits. Only persons on the approved visiting list
can visit on a picnic visit. Each family can bring food for the visit, bought
either from a store or from home. All the food must fit into a 48 quart ice chest
or similar container – no exceptions. One paper bag of eating supplies (i.e.
plastic cups, paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins, paper or cloth table
cloth measuring no more than 78 X 42 inches) will be allowed. The family can
bring in non-alcoholic beverages, but they must be in a sealed can container or
liter bottles, no thermos jugs. No items such as fruit cakes containing any
degree of alcohol will be allowed. All food will be inspected prior to the
visit and the institution reserves the right to hold any questionable items. No
food can be taken by the inmate from the visiting area back to his living area.
During inclement weather, picnic visiting may be suspended. Inmates whose
picnic visitors do not show up twice in a ninety day period will become
ineligible for picnic visits for 90 days. In order to cancel a picnic visit and
not have it count against the inmate, the inmate himself must cancel the
request in writing through his classification officer by the Friday before the
requested weekend.
Criminal histories are checked on every visitor. Prospective visitors who
lie about their arrest history will be denied for falsification. An individual
can only be on the visiting list of one inmate unless he/she is an immediate
family member of two or more inmates. Inmates who are found guilty of
contraband as it relates to drugs are subject to be placed on no contact
visiting status. Additionally, visitor(s) bringing in drugs or other forms of
contraband will be subject to arrest and permanent termination of visiting
privileges.
In addition to all rules and guidelines, IMPACT inmates are allowed to visit
once a month according to the following schedule:
Last name begins with letter 'A' through 'F' = 1st Saturday
Last name begins with letter 'G' through 'L' = 2nd Saturday
Last name begins with letter 'M' through 'R' = 3rd Saturday
Last name begins with letter 'S' through 'Z' = 4th Saturday
IMPACT inmates will only be allowed 2 visits on a single day of no more than
four visitors for a regular visit or five visitors for a picnic visit. IMPACT
inmates assigned to the sixth platoon who meet the merit criteria of weekly
progress will be eligible for a picnic visit.
ELAYN
HUNT CORRECTIONAL CENTER VISITING RULES AND GUIDELINES:
P.O. BOX 174 HWY 74, ST. GABRIEL, LA 70776 PH. 225-642-3306
All visitors are required to follow these regulations. Any indication that this
form was falsified or signed by anyone other than the person whose name appears
on this form, shall result in denial or removal from the visiting list. All
persons 15 years of age or older must be on the inmates approved visiting list.
All minors under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult who is either
(a) a family member of the minor or (b) the minor's legal guardian who is on
the inmate's approved visiting list. The only exceptions will be a minor spouse
or an emancipated minor (proof will be required). All visitors are subject to a
personal search while on institutional grounds, to include searches with drug
detection dogs/canine unit. When there is reasonable suspicion, supported by
facts and circumstances, an extensive search may be conducted. Any person who
has been convicted of a felony and who has not been finally discharged from an
institution or from probation or parole supervision more than two years without
an intervening criminal record or who has been arrested 3 or more times on
felony charges (regardless of disposition) in the last 5 years will be denied.
Visiting
days are Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. However, visitors
arriving after 2:30 p.m. will not be processed. Regular visits will last 2
hours (space permitting). Each visitor is allowed two visits per month. During
a regular visit, offenders may have up to four visitors at one time. IMPACT
inmates visit based on the first letter of their last name as follows: 1st
Sat: A-F, 2nd Sat: G-L, 3rd Sat: M-R, & 4th Sat: S-Z. In addition, IMPACT
inmates will only be allowed 2 visits on a visiting day of no more than 4
visitors each visit. For picnic visits, offenders are allowed up to seven
visitors. This includes both adults and children. The picnic visits are for
3-1/2 hours. Inmates who are in isolation, assigned extra duty or room
confinement will only be allowed to visit on the third "full" weekend
(Saturday or Sunday) of the month. It is the responsibility of the inmate to
notify his visitors if he has extra duty or room confinement.
All
approved visitors over 15 must furnish a picture ID each time they visit. If a
visitor appears to be over 15 years old, a picture identification may be
required for future visits. Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to
remain in vehicles unsupervised.
A
visitor can be on only one inmate's visiting list unless that visitor is an
immediate family member of more than one inmate. The burden of proof and
documentation will be the responsibility of the inmate and his family.
Introduction of contraband or violation of any state or federal laws or
institutional rules while on institutional grounds may result in removal from
the inmate's visiting list and/or arrest. Any disruptive or uncooperative
behavior may also result in removal from the inmate's visiting list for an
indefinite period of time. Individuals who have been removed from an inmate’s
list will not be allowed to be on another inmate’s visiting list or in the
Visiting processing area.
All
visitors must be appropriately dressed. No halter tops, tank tops, see
through clothing, low-cut articles of clothing exposing the upper torso,
spaghetti straps, mini-skirts or mini-dresses, sleeveless tops or dresses or
any form of seductive garment or tight fitting clothing shall be allowed. In
addition, all shorts, skirts, skorts, culottes and dresses cannot be shorter
than 3 inches above the top of the knee. Visitors will not be allowed to
wear the combination of blue jeans and solid blue shirts or plain grey or white
tee shirts or sweatshirts. Shoes designated for street wear, including tennis
shoes, may be worn. No shower shoes, house slippers or rubber thongs shall be
permitted. Female visitors must wear bras. In addition, no visitor shall be
allowed to wear or bring a blue jean jacket. The visiting supervisor has the
discretion to turn visitors away for inappropriate dress. Inmates &
visitors may greet and say good-bye with a non-offensive kiss. No physical
contact will be allowed other than holding hands at table level during a visit.
Visitors
are allowed to deposit only cash or postal money orders into the account of the
inmate that they are visiting, provided they are not related to any other
inmates. Visitors are only allowed to bring in money, picture identification
cards, baby needs (diapers and plastic bottle of milk) and 1 car key when they
visit. All other items must be locked in their cars. Visitors approved for
picnic visits may bring in cigarettes and 1 lighter. Ice brought in for picnic
visits must be in the original container until the ice chest can be searched.
Hunt Correctional
Center is located on Highway 74 in St.
Gabriel, La, which is approximately 12 miles south of Baton
Rouge, La and approximately 12 miles west of Gonzales, La.
In an effort to assist visitors coordinate their travel plans to Hunt Correctional
Center, it should be noted that Baton Rouge and Gonzales
both have bus terminals. Additionally, the Baton Rouge transit system makes stops at the
intersection of Gardere Lane
and Highway 30. Transportation from the Orleans
area is available through Christian Light Van Service. There are direction
markers to Hunt at the intersection of Highway 74 and Highway 30 and at the
intersection of Highway 73 and Highway 74. Upon request by the visitor, further
directions will be provided. The Visiting Office may be contacted at
225-319-4559 for any clarification of above questionnaire or for further
assistance. The facility is equipped to handle visitors with disabilities.
Visitors who require the use of personal handicapped vehicles will be allowed
to drive to the visiting area. The institution has a handicapped van which may
be used as needed. Other reasonable accommodations will be made for visitors as
necessary.
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Upon reception in HRDC inmates are provided with a telephone request form on
which he will be able to request up to 20 names and their phone numbers to be
placed in the approved phone bank. Changes are only allowed on a quarterly
basis.
HRDC inmates will be allowed to make one (1) phone call per week after
assignment to HRDC for one week. EHCC inmates will be allowed to make phone
calls according to their work schedule and current assignments and within the
following phone schedule in the inmate dormitory:
- 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Monday through Thursday
- 4:30 p.m. to 12 Midnight --
Friday
- 8:00 a.m. to 12 Midnight --
Saturday
- 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. --
Sunday
- 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. --
Off Duty Workers
- 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. -- Off
Duty Workers
All telephone calls are limited to 15 minutes. Phone calls are subject to
being monitored and/or recorded. "Use" constitutes
"consent". It is the inmate's responsibility to advise all other
parties that conversations are subject to being monitored and/or recorded. A
properly placed telephone call to an attorney will not be monitored and/or
recorded. The telephone system will terminate calls at the end of 15 minutes.
The system will automatically broadcast recorded messages that the telephone
call is originating at an adult correctional facility.
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Each inmate incarcerated in the DPS&C is assigned a drawing and savings
account upon entry into the HRDC at EHCC. This account is a permanent account
that follows the inmate throughout his stay in the DPS&C. This is a
centralized system and funds are immediately available upon deposit to inmate
accounts no matter where the funds are deposited and the inmate is housed.
Inmates are provided with a receipt verifying funds deposited to their
accounts.
Each inmate receives a monthly statement of his accounts detailing all
deposits and withdrawals in regards to his accounts. Any questions that the
inmate has about his account must be addressed in writing to the EHCC Business
Manager. All inquires are answered in a timely fashion.
How do I send money to an inmate?
EHCC only accepts money orders via mail for deposit to inmate accounts. Money
orders must contain the following information: Inmate's name, DOC number, the
remitter's name and address. Money orders not containing this information will
be returned to sender. Money orders cannot be altered in any way. All funds
must be sent through the mail (US Post Office, Federal Express, etc...) There
will be no cash accepted via mail for deposit into an inmate's account. Cash
received in the mail will be returned to the sender.
Visiting -- Family members may leave funds for deposit to inmate accounts
when they are at EHCC for approved visits on weekends. Such funds may be in the
form of cash or money order.
Hobbycraft -- Funds for hobbycraft purchases will not be accepted through
the mail unless accompanied with a properly completed Hobbycraft Purchase form.
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EHCC provides inmates with the basic necessities of life.
This includes work shoes, rubber boots, jeans, shirts, a jacket, underwear,
socks and sweatshirts. Inmates are not allowed to receive packages from their
families. The facility makes accommodations for inmates to purchase tennis
shoes, coats, jeans, cassette tapes, cd's and approved books through their
accounts from institutional service providers. In addition, there are over 200
different food, drink and personal hygiene items available for purchase through
Inmate Canteen Services.
Incoming mail must contain the inmate's name and DOC number
on it. This includes magazine, newspaper subscriptions and publications.
Inmates may receive standard size greeting cards through the mail. However,
musical greeting cards are not allowed. In addition, do not send cash or stamps
through the mail or photographs that have a hardback. These particular items
will be rejected and cash will be confiscated.
Books/Publications may be received by inmates from
recognizable book sources through the EHCC Mail Room. Any book/publication
received in the EHCC Mail Room must be properly packaged, clearly identifying
that the shipment was made from an appropriate vendor and include the inmates
name, DOC number and housing assignment. Appropriate vendors are those which
are clearly recognizable as a book/publication vendor (i.e. Books-a-Million,
Barnes and Noble, Amazon Books, etc...)
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EHCC offers a wide range of job opportunities to its inmate population; jobs
that not only serve the institution, Department of Public Safety &
Corrections (DPS&C), and surrounding community but the inmates as well by
way of instilling a work ethic and, in many cases, offering job skills for the
future. All able bodied inmates are required to work in the field operation for
a minimum of ninety days before becoming eligible for other work. Included in
the job pool of EHCC are the Kitchens, Chemical Plant and numerous Community
Work Crews.
There are several educational programs at EHCC. Academically there is a
literacy program; basic adult education course designed to upgrade basic
reading and mathematics skills; a G.E.D. preparatory course designed to enable
an inmate to receive a high school diploma; and a special needs program
designed to prepare those who do not have sufficient academic training to enter
into a vocational education program. The JSEP (Job Skills Educational Program)
affords the inmates a chance to learn a wide variety of job skills, prepare for
the GED Exam, and enhance their computer skills while working at their own
pace. Vocational education programs are available in Welding, Automotive
Maintenance, Carpentry, Refrigeration/Climatic Control, Cabling Electronics,
and Outdoor Power Equipment.
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EHCC provides the inmate population with a comprehensive program of mental
health services. Among the services available are a transitional counseling
group for newly incarcerated inmates; a problem-solving group; a Veterans
Support Group; an institutional adjustment group; individual counseling;
HIV/AIDS counseling services, and a comprehensive prerelease program.
Individual counseling components of EHCC's Mental Health Program are crisis
intervention and the multifaceted Substance Abuse Program. EHCC offers a wide
range of clinical services utilizing psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical
social workers and substance abuse counselors.