BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DOC) arrested four people this past weekend after conducting vehicle contraband searches at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center (EHCC), Dixon Correctional Institute, and Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW).
According to the DOC, three visitors were issued summons and one visitor was arrested at Dixon Correctional Institute.
These searches come after numerous unexpected deaths of inmates, particularly at Elayn Hunt, since September 2025. The most recent unexpected death at the facility happened this weekend. Late last year, the Louisiana Dept. of Corrections acknowledged they had seen an “uptick in unexpected deaths” but could not verify an exact cause as toxicology results on some of the inmate deaths were pending. Extensive testing can take anywhere between 6-12 weeks.
In the contraband search operation, more than 200 vehicles were searched on Saturday, Jan. 17 and another 137 vehicles searched on Sunday, Jan. 18. Three Elayn Hunt visitors were issued misdemeanor summons for possession of marijuana by the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office. Deputies seized contraband consisting of marijuana, marijuana gummies, partially smoked marijuana cigarettes and Xanax pills.
To prevent further arrests at Elayn Hunt, correctional officials set up a visitor checkpoint that resulted in 26 visitors turned away for the following reasons: 16 for possession of a weapon, two for a strong odor of marijuana coming from their vehicles, and three for alcohol, per the DOC.
A visitor search at the LCIW resulted in visitors turned away for the following reasons: two for the odor of marijuana, one visitor had alcohol in their vehicle and one visitor possessed a weapon. These visitors were also allowed to turnaround before they entered the grounds of the correctional facility.
At Dixon Corrections, East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested visitor Reegan Marie Jillien Tripeaux, charging her with introduction of contraband on Saturday, Jan. 17. She was arrested after an alert by a narcotic dog prompted officials to search her vehicle. The search produced 12 grams of synthetic marijuana, one marijuana grinder, one Glock 17 9mm semiautomatic pistol, 12 rounds of ammunition, and one bottle of Cayman Jack alcohol, per DOC.
Contraband at correctional facilities include any type of weapon or firearm, and any other item detrimental to the security of the facility. Cell phones or other communication devices, illegal drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol, pornographic images, tools that could aid in escape, and explosive flammable materials or hazardous chemicals are all strictly prohibited.
Earlier this year, multiple people were arrested, including three inmates, by East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s deputies in connection with a contraband scheme. In addition, an Angola corrections sergeant was arrested after officials found contraband in her vehicle.
According to the DOC, Louisiana law expressly indicates that no person shall introduce or attempt to introduce or possess contraband on the grounds of any state correctional facility. The regulation also states that no person shall send, give or attempt to give contraband to an inmate. These actions may result in criminal charges, and the person who is incarcerated may also face disciplinary actions, lost visitation privileges or extended sentences.
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