Pubdate: Sat, 18 Sep 2004
Source: Town Talk, The  (Alexandria, LA)
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Copyright: 2004sThe Town Talk
Contact:  http://www.thetowntalk.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1027
Author: Mandy Goodnight, Staff

VERNON PRISON AGAIN RECEIVING LA. INMATES

LEESVILLE - Vernon Correctional Center is again receiving state inmates, 
authorities said Friday.

The facility was cited for prison guideline violations and had 41 of its 
187 inmates test positive for drug use in July.

Vernon Parish sheriff's Chief Investigator Marvin Hilton said changes were 
made.

"We did everything they (the Department of Public Safety and Corrections) 
asked us to," he said.

Security was tightened at the facility, especially when prisoners come back 
from a work detail.

Sheriff's officials said the majority of the inmates who tested positive 
were involved in outside work details, where they are not watched 24 hours 
a day.

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections noted the facility had made 
progress and addressed the noted concerns.

Pam LaBorde, DOC spokeswoman, said Friday that a monitoring team was sent 
to the facility and one would return at a later date.

As with all prisons that house state inmates, DOC will continue conducting 
random checks at Vernon Correctional Center.

DOC halted sending prisoners to the facility in June.

The state department cited the prison for not having written procedures for 
emergency, such as riots or hostage situations.

The next month, the prison was placed on a 120-day remediation period.

It was the same month that 41 of the inmates tested positive for drug use.

If Vernon Correctional Center had not complied with DOC guidelines, the 
state would have removed its prisoners from the facility.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office operates the prison and contracts with 
the state for prisoners.

Mandy M. Goodnight:
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