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: