All prison volunteer activity, including Catholic services, visitations, are once again suspended in Louisiana; please pray for our Catholic ministry at Rayburn correctional

 

DOC suspends visitation, volunteering at Louisiana’s state-run prisons due to fourth COVID surge

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Officials with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DOC) say they are suspending visitation and volunteering at all of Louisiana’s state-run prisons until at least Aug. 16 due to the state’s fourth surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

DOC issued the following statement on Tuesday, July 27:

“Out of an abundance of caution concerning the latest 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, 2021, at Louisiana’s eight state-run prisons. The Department has taken this precautionary measure to protect its staff and prisoner populations, and will review and reconsider the need for these measures on August 16, 2021.

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.