Baton Rouge, LA – This past weekend, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections conducted a vehicle search contraband operation at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center (EHCC) and Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) that led to three visitors being charged and one visitor being arrested at Dixon Correctional Institute (DCI).
This weekend’s contraband operation at EHCC and LCIW resulted in approximately 206 vehicle being searched on Saturday, Jan. 17 and another 137 vehicle searched on Sunday, Jan. 18. Three EHCC visitors were issued misdemeanor arrest summons for LA R.S. 40:966 Possession of Marijuana by the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office. The seized contraband consisted of marijuana, marijuana gummies, partially smoked marijuana cigarettes and Xanax pills. To help detour additional arrests at EHCC, leadership and correctional professionals made the decision to set up a checkpoint that resulted in 26 visitors being turned around for the following reasons; 16 for possession of a weapon, two for a strong odor of marijuana coming from their vehicles, and three for alcohol.
The LCIW visitor search resulted in the odor of marijuana being found on two visitors, one visitor had alcohol in their vehicle and one visitor possessed a weapon. These visitors were also allowed to turnaround before they entered the grounds of the correctional facility.
At DCI, visitor Reegan Marie Jillien Tripeaux was arrested by East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office and charged with LA R.S. 14:402 Introduction of Contraband on Saturday, Jan. 17. She was arrested after her vehicle was searched following an
alert by a narcotic dog, which yielded 12 grams of synthetic marijuana, one marijuana grinder, one Glock 17 9mm semiautomatic pistol, 12 rounds of ammunition, and one bottle of Cayman Jack alcohol.
“Last year the department issued helpful guidance surrounding visitation protocols,” said Chief of Prison Operations Seth Smith. “We want to remind members of the public who wish to visit individuals who are incarcerated that they must follow these rules and regulations, and failure to do so will result in arrests and charges being filed.”
Items considered contraband include any type of weapon or firearm, and any other item detrimental to the security of the facility. Cell phones or other communication devices, illegal drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol, pornographic images, tools that could aid in escape, and explosive flammable materials or hazardous chemicals are all strictly prohibited.
Louisiana law expressly indicates that no person shall introduce or attempt to introduce or possess contraband on the grounds of any state correctional facility. The regulation also states that no person shall send, give or attempt to give contraband to an inmate. These actions may result in criminal charges, and the person who is incarcerated may also face disciplinary actions, lost visitation privileges or extended sentences. This link contains visitation guidelines, which the department encourages visitors to follow to avoid arrest.