Visiting Someone in Intake Status at Louisiana State Penitentiary: When Visits Are Allowed and How to Request a Special Visit
If your loved one is in intake status at Louisiana State Penitentiary, visiting rules are stricter than usual. Here's what intake means, when visits might be possible, and how to request a special visit if you need one.
Louisiana DOC's visitation policy aims to keep family connections strong while maintaining security inside the prison. During intake, though, security and processing take priority - which is why normal visitation doesn't apply during this window.
"Intake status" refers to the initial processing period after someone arrives. Families often hear it described as the first 30 days. During this time, the facility is getting the person settled, completing required intake steps, and preparing them for standard routines - including regular visitation.
At Louisiana State Penitentiary, people in intake status cannot receive visits. If you show up expecting a regular visit while someone is still in intake, you'll be turned away.
If intake extends beyond 30 days, there's one option: the incarcerated person can request a special visit with immediate family members. This request must follow the Reception Center's visiting procedures - family members can't schedule it from the outside. The person inside has to start the process.
- ✓ The offender requests the special visit (not the family)
- ✓ The request is for immediate family members
- ✓ The request follows the Reception Center’s visiting procedures
Another situation comes up when intake has ended but the visitation application isn't finished yet. Once someone is out of intake status, the receiving facility's Warden (or their designee) can temporarily authorize visits with immediate family members - as long as the incarcerated person requests it. This covers the gap until the full application process wraps up.
Note: This temporary authorization must come from the receiving facility's Warden or a designee (typically an Assistant Warden or higher).
- Confirm they’re still in intake status - If they are, regular visitation is not allowed.
- If intake has gone past 30 days, have them request a special visit - The offender can request a special visit with immediate family under the Reception Center’s visiting procedures.
- If intake ended but the application isn’t finished, have them ask about temporary authorization - The offender can request immediate-family visitation authorization from the receiving facility’s Warden or designee while the visitation application is being completed.
- Don’t travel until they confirm approval - Because visits aren’t allowed during intake, you’ll want confirmation that a special visit or temporary authorization has been granted before you make the trip.
- ✓ Confirm the visit you’re trying to arrange is for immediate family
- ✓ Ask your loved one whether they submitted a special-visit request (if intake is over 30 days)
- ✓ Ask your loved one whether the Warden/designee authorized a temporary immediate-family visit (if intake has ended but the application is pending)
- ✓ Wait to travel until your loved one confirms the visit has been approved
Find an Inmate at Louisiana State Penitentiary, LA
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
