Visitation Information - Winn Correctional Center
Facility Contacts
ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer: 318-727-1591 Chaplain's Office: 318-628-2354 Facility line for exigent legal scheduling: 318-628-3971 ext. 4 Virtual attorney visit email: VAV_Winn@lasallecorrections.com Legal mail email: Winncourtbusiness@lasallecorrections.com Legal fax: 318-628-7507
Visiting Hours
Visit days are split by custody level.
Monday and Friday (High and Medium-High levels only): 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday (Low and Medium-Low levels only): 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday (Low and Medium-Low only): 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Visitors are not allowed on the compound after 9 a.m. for morning visits or after 2 p.m. for afternoon visits.
Each visit runs one hour. A maximum of four visitors (adults and children combined) per visit.
Picnic Visits
Picnic visits are available Tuesday and Thursday only, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The detainee must request the picnic visit.
Who Can Visit
All visitors must have a valid ID or passport. No exceptions.
Dress Code
No shorts. No ripped jeans. No open shoes, sandals, or flip-flops. No hooded jackets. All women must wear a sports bra. Men cannot wear white T-shirts.
Visiting Rules
Leave all cell phones, purses, iPhone watches, and wallets in your vehicle. Wallets and purses are not allowed in the facility.
No firearms or weapons of any kind. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios) in secure areas. Visitors cannot pass anything to detainees or carry items into the visitation area.
Every visitor is subject to a pat-down, bag inspection, and metal scan. Refusing a search means you will not be admitted. If you appear intoxicated, you will be turned away.
Attorney Visits
In-person attorney visits run:
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Legal visits can be scheduled in advance through ERO eFile on a first-come basis, in 60-minute blocks. Attorneys can request extended-time appointments for up to 15 detainees, subject to facility approval within 24 hours of the request. Walk-in visits are still permitted, but scheduled visits get priority.
A list of pro bono legal organizations is posted in every housing unit and updated quarterly. Detainees are responsible for contacting these organizations to schedule appointments.
Virtual Attorney Visits
Attorneys must request video teleconference (VTC) meetings or confidential legal phone calls through ERO eFile. Confirmation comes back through ERO eFile.
VTC sessions run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., in 60-minute blocks. Appointments can be booked up to 2 weeks ahead but no later than 24 hours before the slot, on a first-come basis. There is no cap on how many virtual visits an attorney can request, but no attorney can have more than one 60-minute appointment with the same detainee in a single day unless an extended-time appointment (2 hours) was requested and approved by the facility within 24 hours.
The ERO eFile request must include: the attorney's full name and contact info, the detainee's name and A-number (or name, date of birth, and country of birth), and the meeting ID and passcode in the Virtual Meeting Information section.
Required attachments: a scan of the attorney's government ID, proof of legal status (bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar), and the eFiled G-28 unless this is a pre-representational visit. If a legal assistant is joining alone, attach a letter of authorization on firm letterhead and a scan of the assistant's ID.
Only legal representatives, legal assistants, and interpreters are allowed on these calls. No family, no friends. The attorney can use outside interpretation services during the session. Calls are confidential; an officer stays within sight but out of earshot and will knock 5 minutes before the cutoff.
The facility can cancel or reschedule appointments to manage safety risks or to make sure other attorneys and detainees get fair access. If no slots are available or you have an exigent circumstance, contact VAV_Winn@lasallecorrections.com or call 318-628-3971 ext. 4.
Legal Mail by Fax or Email
Attorneys can fax legal correspondence to 318-628-7507 or email Winncourtbusiness@lasallecorrections.com.
Include a cover letter with the detainee's full name, A-number, sender's return fax number, total page count, and a "Legal Mail" notation.
Documents are inspected for contraband but not read, then delivered to the detainee. Processing happens during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST, excluding holidays.
Consular Visits
Consular officials can meet with their nationals at any time. Call the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer at 318-727-1591 to make arrangements when possible, and bring credentials.
Clergy Visits
Clergy can visit at any time but must arrange the visit ahead of time through the Chaplain's Office at 318-628-2354.
Visitation with offenders committed to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections (DPS&C) is a privilege. Visitation may be restricted, denied or suspended if an offender and/or visitor does not follow the Department’s visitation rules. Prospective visitors may refer to Department Regulation C-02-008 for specific rules governing offender visitation. The regulation may also be obtained by requesting a copy from the facility. Items considered to be contraband, including any type of weapon, firearm or any other item detrimental to the security of the facility, are not allowed. Prohibited items and other personal possessions (wallet, purse, cash, etc.) must be left in the visitor’s locked vehicle for the duration of the visit. The following are rules that a visitor must follow in order to be allowed to visit with an offender:
1. VISITING LIST: In order to visit an offender, the visitor must be on the offender’s approved visiting list. The offender has been given information on how to put someone on their visiting list. If you are uncertain as to whether you are on the offender’s approved visiting list, please contact the offender you wish to visit. Do not call the facility for this information; it will not be provided over the phone.
2. SEARCHES: All visitors, including minors, are subject to searches of their property, automobile and person. These searches shall be conducted by trained staff in a professional manner that minimizes indignity to the visitor while still accomplishing the objective of the search. Additionally, visitors shall be subject to additional searches using metal detectors and ion scanning equipment. Specially trained search dogs (K-9s) may be used as a part of the search process both prior to a visitor entering the visiting area and in the actual visiting room during visits. Any person refusing to be searched at any time shall not be permitted to enter the facility and a visit may be terminated if a visitor refuses to be searched, or if contraband or other prohibited property or items are found on the visitor or in the visitor’s property. If a visitor does not wish to be searched either by hand or by using other means, the visitor should not attempt to enter a DPS&C facility.
3. REGISTRATION: Visitors must register with staff prior to entering the visiting area.
4. IDENTIFICATION: All visitors who are 18 years old or older shall be required to show a picture identification each time they visit. The forms of identification accepted by the DPS&C are:
5. CHILDREN: Visitors under the age of 18 years of age must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian at all times while on facility grounds. Children shall not be left alone at any time while on facility grounds. Parents or legal guardians shall be responsible for the behavior of their children and a visit may be terminated if the children become disruptive.
6. DRESS STANDARDS: Visitors shall wear clothing that poses no threat to the security or maintenance of order at the facility. The following standards are to be met:
7. ITEMS NOT PERMITTED: Visitors shall not be permitted to possess or carry the following items into the visiting area: controlled substances; alcoholic beverages; marijuana; tobacco and tobacco related items; cameras, video and audio recording equipment and electronic devices, including but not limited to cellular telephones, pagers, BlackBerries, radios, tape recorders, etc.
8. MEDICATION: Only prescribed medication that is life-saving or life-sustaining (such as nitroglycerine pills, inhalers, oxygen, etc.) shall be permitted. Medication shall be limited in quantity to no more than that required for the duration of the visit. Visitors must advise the staff at the visiting desk that they are in possession of such medication.
9. INFANTS: If the visitor has an infant child, the following items shall be permitted: four diapers; two jars vacuum sealed baby food; two plastic bottles milk or juice; one change of clothing; one baby blanket (maximum width and length not to exceed 48 inches) and one clear plastic bag of baby wipes. These items (except the baby blanket) must be stored in a single clear plastic container (i.e., gallon size zip-lock bag.) All items are subject to search.
10. MONEY: Visitors shall not give any money to an offender. All state correctional facilities utilize JPAY for offender money deposits. JPAY allows family members and friends to make a deposit to an offender’s account in a number of ways: via U.S. mail, via the internet, via telephone, via kiosks at the correctional facility and via Moneygram locations.
11. CONTACT BETWEEN OFFENDERS AND VISITORS: Offenders who have contact visits may embrace (hug) and exchange a brief kiss (briefly to indicate fondness, not a lingering kiss) with their visitor at beginning and end of the visit. During the visit, the only contact permitted is holding hands. Excessive displays of affection or sexual misconduct between offenders and visitors is strictly prohibited. Small children may be permitted to sit on the lap of the visitor or offender. Any improper contact between an offender and visitor shall be grounds for stopping the visit immediately. Some offenders are restricted to non-contact visits. In these cases, there shall be no physical contact (touching) between the offender and the visitors. Restroom breaks may be authorized; however, visitors will be subject to the entire search process.
12. RESTRICTIONS ON VISITS WITH MINORS: Offenders who have a current or prior conviction for a sex crime involving a minor child family member, or who have a documented history of sex abuse with a minor child family member, are ineligible to visit with any minor child, including their own biological or step-child. Offenders who have a current or prior conviction for a sex crime involving a minor child who is not a family member are ineligible to visit with any minor child. The offenders affected by these restrictions have been informed of possible exceptions that may only be approved by the Warden.
13. GENERALLY PROHIBITED: The giving or receiving of any item(s) to/from an offender without the prior approval of staff is prohibited. Violators are subject to arrest and criminal prosecution and suspension of visiting privileges. The only exception is that the visitor may purchase soft drinks, snacks or concessions in the visiting area and share them with the offender. The offender is not permitted to take anything out of the visiting area when the visit is finished, other than with approval as noted above.
14. VISITING HOURS: See Correctional Facilities section on the home page (www.doc.la.gov) for visiting hours at a specific facility.
15. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Some DPS&C facilities have public transportation available to the facility. Information is provided at the facility to the offender population if public transportation is available. There may be a cost for use of this transportation and the DPS&C does not endorse or claim any liability for the use of the transportation provider. The visitor may contact the offender they wish to visit to obtain specific information regarding any types of transportation that may be available to the facility where the offender is housed.
16. DIRECTIONS: Driving directions may be found under the name of the facility the visitor wishes to visit.
17. TERMINATION OF VISITS: The Warden of the facility or staff designated by the Warden may terminate a visit at any time if they believe that ending the visit is in the best interest of the safety and security of the facility or the persons involved.
18. OTHER SPECIFIC INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFENDER OR FACILITY: Other permissible items, special visit procedures and availability of picnic visits.
LA DOC - Rules by Type
What are the rules for visiting offenders?
Offenders are permitted to request up to 10 approved visitors. The offender is responsible for initiating the request to have an individual added to his list, as well as for ensuring approved visitors are advised of changes in his or her visiting privileges. The offender is given information on the process for adding or changing his visiting list and staff are available to help him where needed.
All prospective visitors must complete the application and mail it to the facility the visitor wishes to visit. Parents/Legal Guardians shall be required to complete the application for minor children (under the age of 18) and shall sign the application on behalf of the minor child. Faxes of the application are not acceptable. It is important that the application be completed fully and all questions answered honestly. Failure to provide all requested information may result in a delay in the processing of the application or a denial of visiting privileges.
Visitors are sent information relative to the rules and procedures for visiting with the application for being considered as an approved visitor.
You are reminded that the offender may also refuse a visit at any time and staff may terminate visiting at any time for security reasons or if the offender or visitor violates the rules governing visiting.
Visitation is considered a privilege (not a right) and violation of rules may result in termination of the visit, loss of the offender’s visiting privileges, banning of the visitor from entering the institution or its grounds and/or criminal charges as circumstances warrant.
• All prospective visitors are screened for criminal history prior to approval and, once approved, on regular basis. Persons with convictions or pending criminal charges may be considered ineligible to visit.
• A visitor can be on only one offender’s visiting list per institution unless that visitor is a family member of more than one offender. The burden of proof and documentation will be the responsibility of the offender and his family.
• All visitors 18 years of age and older must have picture identification in order to visit an offender.
Visitors are allowed to bring only enough cash money for vending machines and/or concessions into the visiting area. Any financial transactions brought in for deposit into an offender’s account will only be accepted through available J-Pay kiosks.
• Visitors should be aware that visiting areas are designed to cultivate a family atmosphere for family and friends of all ages. Visitors should dress and act accordingly. Specific rules relative to appropriate clothing for visiting is sent as a matter of routine to visitors as part of the visitor application packet.
• Without warning, visitors are subject to a search of their vehicles, possessions and persons. This is necessary to preclude the introduction of weapons, ammunition, explosives, cell phones, alcohol, escape devices, drugs, drug paraphernalia or other forbidden items or contraband into the prison environment.
• 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.
Visiting with Individuals Convicted of Sex Offenses
Offenders who have a current or prior conviction for a sex crime involving a minor child family member, or who have a documented history of sex abuse with a minor child family member, are ineligible to visit with any minor child, including their own biological or step-child.
Offenders who have a current or prior conviction for a sex crime involving a minor child who is not a family member are ineligible to visit with any minor child. However, at the Warden’s discretion, such offenders may be authorized to visit with their own biological child. The legal guardian shall submit a written request and shall accompany the minor child during the visit. If approved by the Warden, the visit may be contact or non-contact at the Warden’s discretion.
The Warden may consider special visits for offenders who have successfully completed or are participating satisfactorily in sex offender treatment when the legal guardian has submitted a written request and accompanies the minor child during the visit.
The legal guardian may be permitted to name another individual (other than the legal guardian) who is on the offender’s visiting list to accompany the minor child for a visit. The legal guardian shall provide a written, notarized statement authorizing a specific individual to accompany the minor child.