With the surge of COVID-19 positive cases in Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) has suspended prisoner visitation and volunteering effective immediately through August 16, at Louisiana’s eight state-run prisons.
The Department has taken this precautionary measure to protect its staff and prisoner populations.
In lieu of visitation, the Department will continue to offer two free phone calls per week to ensure inmates have continued connection to family and friends during this event. In addition, video calling remains available for a fee.
To help prevent the spread of this disease within Louisiana’s eight state-run prisons, the DOC continues COVID screening with temperature checks and questions for anyone entering the state’s prisons, including staff and vendors.
Approximately 68 percent of inmates incarcerated in Louisiana’s state-run prisons have voluntarily chosen to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and the Department continues to make vaccinations available to all inmates.
The DOC, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, is following CDC guidance, and continues to monitor the situation and update its response as necessary.
For more information, Department’s website at doc.la.gov.