LA DOC – Dixon Correctional Institute (DCI)

LA DOC – Dixon Correctional Institute (DCI) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 225-634-1200

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at Dixon Correctional Institute located at 5568 Hwy 68
PO Box 788 in Jackson, LA are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

Dixon Correctional Institute is a Louisiana Department of Corrections located in Jackson LA about 34 miles from the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola). This multi-custody prison can hold approximately 1,600 minimum, medium and maximum security inmates. 52% of DCI’s population is comprised of violent offenders. The average length of sentence is 21 years. 42% of DCI offenders are between 30-44 years of age.

Offenders can participate in programs to earn a GED or adult basic education, and can even learn the following skills; carpentry, welding, automotive and collision repair. Substance abuse programs offered at Dixon Correctional Institute are given in a group setting. Sex offenders receive mental health treatment, as do those suffering from substance abuse issues. Inmates can work in agricultural programs and an industrial operation that processes meat. Additionally, in cooperation with a local community college, DCI offers inmates an education in a variety of subjects from academic to vocational.

Educational Programming

Educational programs offered at DWCC are in keeping with the Department’s mission of providing opportunities for offenders to enhance and obtain job skills sufficient to successfully reintegrate into society. DWCC partners with the Louisiana Technical College System and the Department of Education to provide the following variety of educational programs:

Adult Basic Education/HSE: Academic programs in Adult Basic Education (ABE) are available and include an instructional level for non-readers up to the fourth grade; pre-HSE, covering grade levels five through eight; and High School Equivalency (HSE) programs, covering grade nine through completion to attain a diploma.

Developmental Studies: Developmental studies provide educational programming for offenders who have completed their GED or HSE but failed to meet a sufficient score on the entrance test for admittance into a vocational program.

Special School District: The Special School District 1 Educational program provides for the search and identification of offenders up to age 25 who have been determined to have medical, emotional, and/or physical needs which could not be met in the regular classroom. Individual education plans (I.E.P.S.) are prepared to accommodate the offender’s special needs.

Vocational Education Programs: The Louisiana Technical College Northwest Campus administers the vocational educational programs offered at DWCC. Certificates in specialized programs include Technical Competency Areas (TCA), Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS), or the entire curriculum to earn a technical diploma in the following fields is available:

• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
• Carpentry
• Welding

Other Programs and Services

Mental Health/Social Services

The DWCC Mental Health and Social Services Department provides a range of resources appropriate to the needs of the offender including individual and group counseling, family planning/counseling, parental education, and community services. All counseling services are administered by a qualified mental health professional. Specialized treatment programs include the following: Crisis Intervention, Sex Offender Treatment, Anger Management, Parenting, and Substance Abuse Counseling. A contract psychiatrist and a licensed psychologist conduct triage psychiatric clinics for offenders with identified and diagnosed psychological disorders. The Mental Health Department also completes aftercare referrals to appropriate agencies for offenders who discharge with mental health needs.

Medical

It is the mission of DWCC’s Medical Department to provide comprehensive health services for offenders. The department offers professional care and provides for a continuous systematic review of policy, procedure and practice to offer health services and education which will enhance the ability of the offender to successfully reintegrate into society upon release. Medical Services include:

• A Full-Time Physician
• 24 Hour Nursing Coverage
• Infirmary for Convalescent & Chronic Care Offenders
• Dental Services
• Quality Assurance Program
• Infection Control
• Diagnostic Services including X-ray and Lab
• Emergency Services as needed
• Referral Services for Specialty Consultation
• Telemedicine Services
• Pharmaceutical Services
• Contract Optometrist
• Contract Psychiatrist

A secure prison ward is operated by DWCC at UHS in Monroe, LA. This is a joint effort between the Department of Corrections and UHS. DWCC provides security staff while UHS provides medical staff. Parish jail offenders from North Louisiana may be admitted to the ward provided space is available. State DOC offenders are given priority for bed space.

Reentry: DWCC’s Reentry initiatives provide assessment, identification and linkage for offenders with services specific to their reentry needs. Offenders begin preparing for release from the point of entry into the institution and through the development of Reentry Accountability Plans (ReAP). The offender also receives 100 hours of pre-release instruction which includes effective communication, victim awareness, anger management, problem-solving, values and goal setting, health and wellness, substance abuse treatment, budgeting and money management, family dynamics, employment skills, and information concerning conditions of Parole prior to release.

Faith-based Programming: Faith-based programming is an essential component in the overall mission of DWCC. Well trained religious volunteers offer a significant resource and are essential to the success in meeting the goal of providing a meaningful opportunity for change. Religious programming is coordinated by a full-time Chaplain. The DWCC Chaplaincy provides daily faith-based programming for the offender population. The services range from traditional worship to contemporary praise and worship services. Several programs incorporate study groups of various religious beliefs.

Records: The Records Office is responsible for all aspects involving the maintenance of records including offender time computation and re-computation on DPS&C commitments in accordance with state and federal laws as well as departmental regulations. The Records Office also maintains a Pre-Classification District inclusive of twenty-two parishes.

Classification: The Classification Department ensures that various aspects of incarceration related to public safety, rehabilitation, discipline, and welfare are met for offenders from the time of preliminary classification through until discharge. Classification operates within the Unit Management system and works closely with Security as well as other departments such as Mental Health, Medical and Education. The Classification program promotes the development of life, job and educational skills within the offender population and encourages participation in various self-help groups and organizations.

DWCC also serves as the Northeast Regional facility responsible for the guidance and oversight of DPS&C offenders housed in twenty-seven local jail facilities, twelve Transitional Work Programs and one Reentry Reentry Program (female).

Human Resources: The Human Resources Department manages all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, position control, payroll, and related benefits. Staff achievement and recognition is a vital component in meeting the institution’s mission and goals.

Training: The DWCC Training Department is responsible for coordination of all preservice, in-service, and specialized training programs. Training curriculums are formulated based on position requirements, professional development needs, current correctional issues and new theories, techniques and technologies.

Community Service: DWCC provides staff and offenders for participation in Project Clean Up in the DOTD district that includes Union and Lincoln parishes. Additionally, offender work crews provide general maintenance services to the Town of Homer and Haynesville along with providing assistance during emergency and natural disaster situations. Canine Units assist local law enforcement agencies in the apprehension of criminal suspects, drug detection, and other related public safety issues.

visitation Info

LA DOC – Dixon Correctional Institute (DCI) – Visitation

When a visitor arrives at the prison they are to park in the front parking lot located in front of the Visiting Processing Center outside the prison gate. Anyone not visiting must leave the prison grounds. THERE WILL BE NO LOITERING IN THE PARKING LOT OR ON THE GROUNDS.

Facilities are available for handicapped persons and, if needed, the prison will provide transportation from the Visiting Processing Center to the sallyports for visiting.

An approved visitor is required to furnish positive picture identification each time they visit. This requirement must be met by anyone 15 years of age or older. If any approved visitor (one who is on an offender’s visiting list) cannot furnish positive photo identification, the Security Shift Supervisor or Duty Officer may approve entrance into the Visiting Room provided that some other means of positive identification is met.

Visitors are allowed to bring only the following items into the Visiting Room:

• vehicle keys
• picture identification
• cash money for vending machines or ticket machines
• one credit/debit card for use in JPAY kiosk machine

*NOTE: Visitors wishing to place money in an offender’s account at the time of the visit can only do so through the JPAY kiosk machine located in the Visitor Processing Office.

Emergency medications such as nitroglycerin must be left with the Visiting Desk Officer during visiting. ALL OTHER ITEMS MUST BE LOCKED IN THE VISITOR’S VEHICLE.

SEARCHES OF VISITORS:

ALL VISITORS ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH. Introduction of contraband, drugs, alcohol or weapons into the prison is a felony for which you will be prosecuted under LA R.S. 14:402. Refusal to submit to a search will result in denial of visit.

Any individual (including minors) entering any Department of Public Safety and Corrections prison is subject to searches of their property, automobile, and person. Searches include but are not limited to: visual inspection of person or property, electronic searches of persons for narcotics, pat-down searches of your person, an inspection of person or property by dogs trained to detect drugs, weapons and other contraband, strip searches of your body, and searches of your body cavities.

A visitor who is discovered introducing contraband into DCI will be subject to indefinite suspension of visiting privileges and being criminally charged. Offender visitors will not be allowed to bring weapons onto institution grounds including all parking lots. A visitor will not be permitted into this institution when the odor or effects of alcoholic beverage are present.

VISITOR DRESS CODE:

Visitors shall be properly dressed. Individuals are considered improperly dressed when attired in any of the following:

• cut-off pants
• halter tops, tank tops, and sleeveless shirts of any type
• low-cut articles of clothing exposing the upper torso
• see-through clothing
• mini skirts
• blue chambray shirts
• blue jean overalls
• gray or white sweatshirts
• Camouflage clothing
• No T-shirts – may be worn: A T-shirt is defined as a shirt without a collar or buttons. The following exception will apply: Visitors under the age of 15 may be allowed to wear T-shirts that are not revealing or containing logos which are sexual or racial.

Female visitors may wear culottes and skorts; however, they must be no shorter than one (1) inch above the knee. No form of seductive garment shall be allowed, and appropriate undergarments (bra and panties) must be worn. If a dress is “see-through” a slip must be worn.

Male and female visitors will be allowed to wear blue jeans and shorts. All shorts must be hemmed and must be no shorter than one (1) inch above the knee.

VISITING SCHEDULE:

Visiting will be from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Non-contact visiting is only on Fridays.  Visitors will not be admitted to DCI after 3:00 p.m. Visitors will be admitted to DCI as soon as possible after arrival for visiting.

Visiting will be conducted on the first four weekends of each month. Visiting will not be conducted on the fifth weekend, except when allowable as a “special privilege” with the PRIDE Program.

VISITING DURATION AND LIMITATIONS:

Due to limited space, an offender will be allowed four (4) visitors (including children).

Visiting will be two (2) hours in duration. Offenders may have two (2) visits per month from each approved visitor. Offenders are allowed four (4) visitors (including children), per two (2) hour visit. Children under the age of six months old will not be counted as one of the four visitors on the visiting list.

Visiting for offenders in the Extended Lockdown is as follows:

Level 1 offenders will be allowed two (2) visitors per visit. Each visit will be thirty (30) minutes in duration. No physical contact will be allowed.

Level 2 offenders will be allowed two (2) visitors per visit. Each visit will be one (1) hour in duration. No physical contact will be allowed.

Level 3 offenders will be allowed three (3) visitors per visit. Each visit will be one (2) hour in duration. No physical contact will be allowed.

Driving Directions – Dixon Correctional Institute is located approximately 30 miles north of Baton Rouge. Directions to DCI from Baton Rouge:

• From downtown, take I-110 North for approximately 8 miles
• Merge onto U.S. Highway 61 North via exit 8B toward Natchez and travel 12.3 miles
• Turn right onto Louisiana Hwy. 68 and travel 9.6 miles
• A white picket fence borders the grounds of DCI
• Turn left at DCI’s main entrance