Can You Visit If You Have a Criminal Record? Louisiana DOC Rules (What Families at St. Gabriel Should Know)

Louisiana DOC policy is clear: a prior criminal conviction alone doesn't disqualify you from visiting. The focus is on safety, not labels. Here's where it gets tricky. If the nature of your offense suggests your presence could threaten facility security or stability, you can be deemed ineligible. It's not "record = no." But certain offenses do trigger closer scrutiny based on security risk.

Being an ex-offender, on parole, or on probation won't automatically disqualify you from visiting at St. Gabriel. Louisiana DOC recognizes that people on supervision can maintain stable, approved contact - and the policy gives you a way to strengthen your case. Get an approval letter from your supervising officer (Form OP-C-9-e). This letter creates a presumption that you're eligible for visitation. It gives the facility something official showing your supervision status is known and your visit has been cleared by the person overseeing your case.

• ✓ Bring an approval letter from your supervising officer (Form OP-C-9-e).
• ✓ Make sure the form is completed and signed by the supervising officer.
• ✓ Be ready to provide the identifying information the facility needs to run any required checks.

Multiple recent felony convictions change how your request is handled. Under Louisiana DOC policy, three or more felony convictions within the past five years may make you ineligible for an offender's visiting list. Already on the list? You can be removed once you hit that threshold. This isn't always an automatic denial - it's a discretionary decision made by the Unit Head or designee (Assistant Warden or higher), requiring approval from the Chief of Operations. The bottom line: three felonies in five years is a serious flag that can lead to denial or removal.

1. Start from the default rule - A conviction alone doesn’t automatically disqualify you, so don’t assume you’re “not allowed” without checking.
2. If you’re on parole or probation, get the supervising-officer letter - Ask your supervising officer to complete the approval letter (Form OP-C-9-e) so your request carries the presumption of eligibility.
3. Be prepared for a security-based review if your offense raises concerns - If the facility believes the nature of your crime could threaten security or stability, they can deem you ineligible.
4. Ask about the decision if you’re told you’re not eligible - Security-based ineligibility decisions must be made with written justification by the Warden or a qualifying designee (Assistant Warden or higher).

Worried your record might cause problems at the gate? Handle it early - before you travel. Confirm what documentation you need to bring. If you're on supervision, have your supervising-officer letter ready. If concerns come up, ask how the facility handles ineligibility decisions. Louisiana DOC policy distinguishes between "a conviction exists" and "this person is a security risk." That distinction matters when you're trying to understand what's happening with your visitation status.