Sheriff Stuart Wright announced today that Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office entered into a partnership with LaSalle Corrections to manage and operate the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
LaSalle Corrections is a nationally accredited corrections management corporation that operates 18 facilities and employees over 1,800 corrections professionals, providing custody services for both pre-trial detainees and sentenced offenders.
The five-year agreement will provide for LaSalle Corrections to operate and staff the detention center, and also will provide significant upgrades and improvements to the facility. The agreement will take effect on Nov. 1.
“We are excited to have LaSalle Corrections to join us in providing high-quality, professional corrections services in our parish. LaSalle Corrections has a track record of proven success in focusing on prioritizing the well-being and safety of the offenders in their care and the professional employees on the team. This agreement will provide us with an upgraded facility at no additional cost to the Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Stuart Wright.
“In addition to cost savings, the partnership will create new career opportunities while retaining current employees, ensuring both job growth and operational continuity. LaSalle Corrections plans to hire up to 90 additional employees and retain all current NPSO staff,” said Major Roger Henson, NPSO Corrections Bureau.
“These new career positions will include supervisors, administrators, medical staff, commercial drivers, and correctional officers. This is a great opportunity for the citizens of Natchitoches Parish to benefit from newly created jobs within our community,” said Henson.
“The upgraded detention center will have a 24-hour medical staff, enhanced security, and new technology equipment for operations, said Henson.
“Currently, we use only about one-third of the detention center, which was built 30 years ago to accommodate more offenders than we currently house. This underutilization has led to operational losses totaling $17 million over the last 10 years, which is simply not sustainable,” explained Sheriff Wright.
“When I became Sheriff, my first goal was to fully pay off the facility, which we accomplished last year. Now, through this responsible and efficient partnership, we will be able to operate the facility at a reduced cost to taxpayers while also creating new jobs in Natchitoches Parish,” said Sheriff Wright.
“This agreement will allow us to reinvest our budget into other critical areas of the Sheriff’s Office that directly impact serving our citizens, such as acquiring new patrol and communications equipment, and enhancing our narcotics and violent crime suppression efforts. Our top priority remains to ensure the safety of our citizens and to continue working diligently to reduce crime in the parish,” Sheriff Wright concluded.
