ST. GABRIEL, La.—In a landmark move for the state’s correctional system, Louisiana has officially opened the new Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) in St. Gabriel—the first women’s prison built in the state in over three decades. The $160 million facility replaces the original LCIW, which was shuttered after catastrophic flooding in 2016.
Spanning nearly seven acres, the 15-building campus offers 958 beds and over 300,000 square feet of space dedicated to rehabilitation, education and healthcare. The facility includes classrooms, a career education center, a gymnasium, and a fully equipped medical and mental health building. A unique postpartum treatment wing provides specialized care for incarcerated mothers, reflecting a growing emphasis on dignity and support within the correctional system.
Grace Design led the architecture for the project, with the new facility built through a joint venture between Caddell Construction Co. of Alabama and Arkel Constructors, based in Baton Rouge, La.
Staffed by 261 employees—including 56 healthcare professionals—the prison is designed to centralize services that were previously scattered across temporary facilities like the Jetson Correctional Center for Youth and Elayn Hunt Correctional Center.
Warden Kristen Thomas, who has overseen the project since 2021, described the opening as the culmination of years of planning and dedication.
The new LCIW marks a significant shift in Louisiana’s approach to women’s incarceration, prioritizing rehabilitation and holistic care over punishment. As the state moves forward, this facility sets a new standard for correctional infrastructure and inmate support.
The state-of-the-art campus is designed to safely house 1,000 women while prioritizing rehabilitation, education and wellness.
As security and observation remain paramount, the design team found numerous innovative ways to soften spaces in support of rehabilitation—without sacrificing safety.
