Getting on the Approved Visitor List at Elayn Hunt: What to Expect

At Elayn Hunt, the process starts with the offender. Under Louisiana DOC policy, anyone can apply to be placed on a visitation list - but only after the offender requests it. If your loved one hasn't put in that request, your paperwork won't move forward. Confirm with them that they've asked to add you before you do anything else.

You can't just show up and get cleared at the door. At Elayn Hunt - and Louisiana DOC facilities generally - you must be on the inmate's approved visitation list before you're allowed to visit. Plan for this as a separate step that happens well before you make the drive.

1. Confirm the offender has requested you as a visitor - Louisiana DOC’s process is offender-requested, so this is the trigger for you being able to apply.
2. Complete the visitor application when you receive it or are instructed to apply - your goal is to be reviewed and added to the offender’s approved visitation list.
3. Wait for the facility’s approval checks to finish - the review happens before you can visit; you’re not eligible while you’re still being processed.
4. Verify you’re approved before you travel - once you’re officially added to the approved list, you can plan an in-person visit.

On probation or parole? You're not automatically disqualified from visiting at Elayn Hunt. Louisiana DOC policy says that status alone shouldn't block you. What helps most is an approval letter from your supervising officer (Form OP‑C‑9‑e). That letter creates a presumption you're eligible for visitation, which can smooth out the application process significantly.

• ✓ Get an approval letter from your supervising officer (Form OP‑C‑9‑e)
• ✓ Submit the letter with your visitation application (don’t assume staff will “find it later”)
• ✓ Follow up with the facility to confirm they received the form and that nothing else is needed to finish your review

"Pending" means exactly what it sounds like: your application is still under review, and you can't visit yet. Louisiana DOC facilities are clear that no visitation is allowed while an application is pending. The same rule applies at Elayn Hunt. Don't guess where you stand - confirm before you travel.

1. Contact the Visitation Department for a status check - ask whether you’re approved or still pending.
2. Ask if anything is missing - if they need an additional form or clarification, it’s better to learn that early.
3. Confirm next steps and timing - get clear guidance on what you should do (if anything) to move the application to approved.

If approval is taking longer than expected, don't just resubmit the same paperwork. Contact the facility to ask where your application stands and whether they need anything else from you. Denied? Ask for the reason in writing, then find out your options - whether there's an appeal process or if you can reapply later. Since visiting depends entirely on being on the approved list, your best path forward is understanding what caused the denial and what the facility needs to reconsider you.

• ✓ Ask for the denial reason in writing
• ✓ Ask whether you can appeal the decision or re-apply (and how)
• ✓ Gather supporting paperwork that addresses the reason for denial (including a supervising officer approval letter, if you’re on probation/parole)
• ✓ Confirm whether there’s a waiting period before you can submit a new application