TOURS

POLICY:

It is the policy of Elayn Hunt Correctional Center to encourage community involvement by permitting civic leagues, church groups, school and college classes and public organizations/agencies access to the facility for the purpose touring the grounds. The primary purpose of these tours is to portray an accurate and realistic account of prison life at EHCC.

PROCEDURE:

I. OUTSIDE TOUR GROUP GUIDELINES

A. All tours of Elayn Hunt Correctional Center consist of a riding tour of the perimeter of the facility, observation of the Intensive Motivational Program of Alternative Correctional Treatment (IMPACT-Bootcamp) and a group discussion with inmates and staff. As determined by the Warden, an HRDC Class B Cellblock may be included as part of the tour. Tours are usually concluded in 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

B. Requests for groups desiring a tour of Elayn Hunt Correctional Center should be sent to the Office of the Warden at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, Post Office Box 174, St. Gabriel, Louisiana 70776 to the attention of the Administrative Assistant, at least two (2) weeks prior to the desired date of the tour. The request should be made on the attached form to include the name of the individual requesting the tour, telephone number, name of the group, preferred date, as well as an alternate date, purpose of the tour, number in party, time of arrival, sex (male or female), age (12 and older), and whether or not the group will be arriving by bus. If a bus is needed from the institution for the perimeter tour, please indicate so. There should be a minimum of 15 individuals and a maximum of 40 individuals in order to coordinate a tour of this facility. Special needs groups must be indicated on the attached form. Please note on the written request that you have received this policy, Elayn Hunt Correctional Center Institutional Policy #400-C7.

C. Tours are scheduled on Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. There are no tours conducted on weekends or holidays. There is one (1) tour scheduled per week so that we can provide the group with a comprehensive overview of the facility. If an approved group should need to cancel a tour or will arrive late, they must contact the Warden's office at (225) 642-3306 ext.505 or (225)319-4505, so that the tour guides can be placed on notice of this delay. Any tour arriving late without advanced notice will be cancelled. The Warden's office will make the final decision on cancellations.

D. All tour groups will be notified of their approved scheduled date. If within one week of the tour date you fail to receive confirmation, please call our office at once.

E. The dress code should be proper and decent. No halter tops, shorts, tank tops, see through clothing, low-cut articles of clothing exposing the upper torso, mini-skirts or mini-dresses or any form of seductive garments shall be allowed. No one will be allowed to wear the combination of blue jeans and blue chambray shirts, grey or white sweatshirts or blue jean jackets for security reasons.

F. Keys, purses and/or handbags cannot be carried or in your possession during the indoors portion of the tour. The keys, purses and/or handbags must be locked on the bus while the tour is being conducted. The institution cannot be responsible for personal property.

G. Physical contact between offenders and tour group members is strictly prohibited. Communication with offenders is limited to offenders speakers approved by the staff. Violations will result in immediate termination of the tour.

H. Loud, boisterous, and unruly behavior will result in the tour being terminated.

I. No cameras (instamatic or video), tape recorders or any other recording equipment will be allowed.

J. Tour group members are prohibited from bringing contraband on EHCC property. Examples of contraband are alcohol, drugs, weapons, beepers, cellphones, etc. Introduction of contraband is a felony violation of State Law and is punishable by a jail sentence.

K. Necessary prescribed drugs may be carried by one person in the tour after having them checked by the Security Tour Guide. Prescribed drugs must be in containers and properly labeled.

L. No one under the age of twelve (12) will be permitted to tour the facility.

M. Tour group members shall obey all instructions, procedures and orders while on institutional grounds. All members of the tour group will remain with the tour group at all times.

N. All signed waivers/parental consent forms are the responsibility of the touring organization.

II. SPECIAL TOURS

A. Special tours can be requested for special purposes i.e. target risk groups, civic organizations, church groups, etc.

B. Tours can be requested in conjunction with the "Keeping Kids from Incarceration" program. This program is conducted by selected staff and designed to give awareness to high risk target groups of youth, with a major emphasis on the dangers of negative behavior, criminal activity, peer pressure, drug and alcohol use/abuse and the ultimate possibility of incarceration for the commission of crimes. Requests for these tours must include written correspondence indicating the group's suitability for this tour program.

C. All tours in conjunction with the "Keeping Kids From Incarceration" program will consist of a riding tour of the perimeter of the facility, observation of the Intensive Motivational Program of Alternative Correctional Treatment (IMPACT-Bootcamp), observation of the "Intake Unit" and other selected areas of the facility. The intake unit will include the target group experiencing a typical offender intake procedure. The group (along with sponsors and tour guides) will experience being placed in holding tanks (cells), hearing the sounds of cell doors closing, and waist chains/leg irons being carried by security personnel. Verbal abuse and physical contact with the group is strictly prohibited.

D. The conclusion of the "Keeping Kids from Incarceration" program will take place in the HRDC Diagnostic Area where presentations will be given by the designated tour guides, Boot Camp trainees, and other selected personnel and offender speakers. offender speakers will give presentations on living in prison, the effects of incarceration on family members, effects of incarceration on the individual, and the pressures of daily life in prison.

E. Tours requested for the "Keeping Kids From Incarceration" program will be limited to Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

F. Requests for special tours will be made as described in Section 1, of this policy.