The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has begun phasing in non-contact visitation at state-run prisons.

The state placed a suspension on visitation in January due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Due to the decline of COVID-19 cases inside prisons — and the increase of vaccinated prisoners — it has been decided by the department that it is now suitable to resume visitation.

The department released the following safety measures that will be implemented as visitation is phased in:

All visitation will be non-contact.

Plexiglass barriers will separate the inmates and their visitors.

Upon entrance to the prison, all visitors will be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, which includes having their temperature checked.

All persons are required to wear protective face coverings for the duration of the visit.

Visitors will be required to follow social distancing guidelines for the duration of the visit.

All visitation areas and transport vehicles shall be sanitized prior to and between visits.

Hand sanitizer shall be available in all visitation areas.

Visitation hours, days, and duration and the number of allowed visitors vary by institution.

Visitors are not required to be vaccinated in order to visit.

Some facilities have already begun allowing visitation, with others to begin in March. Those interested in visitation should contact the facility to inquire about future visitation. All visitors must be at least 14 and must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list.

The department provided the following contact information for the visitation department of various state-run prison facilities:

Allen Correctional Center – 9-11:30 a.m. and 1–3:30 p.m., Monday–Friday at 337-389-6029.

David Wade Correctional Center – 8:30-11 a.m. and 12:30 – 3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday at 318-927-0400.

Dixon Correctional Institute – 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday at 225-634-6291.

Elayn Hunt Correctional Center – 7 a.m. -5 p.m., Monday-Friday, at 225-319-4559 or 225-319-4364.

Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women – 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday at 225-319-2324.

Louisiana State Penitentiary – 9 a.m. -3 p.m., Monday-Friday at 225-655-2343.

Rayburn Correctional Center – 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday at 985-661-6380.

Raymond Laborde Correctional Center – 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday at 318-876-2891 ext. 268.

In released statements the department noted that with visitation reinstated, general reopening plans could see other programs return to pre-COVID-19 levels.

An excerpt from the statement reads:

“State prison facilities may begin phasing in general reopening plans which include a limited number of volunteers for faith-based programming, as well as ramping up vocational and educational programs to near pre-COVID-19 levels. In addition, plans are being worked out to resume face-to-face attorney inmate visits. Currently, inmates visit with their attorneys via Zoom call and by telephone. All reopening plans will follow LDH’s COVID-19 guidelines and are subject to change as guidelines or COVID-19 prevalence at the facility or in the community change. At this point, there is no definitive timeline on full implementation of these additional measures. The DPS&C will announce to the media and the public any changes in regards to visitation and will post on the Department’s COVID-19 webpage at doc.la.gov.”