Family & Friends Updates: September 2018

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missouri department of corrections

Family and Friends Newsletter | September 2018

Welcome

Family

The Missouri Department of Corrections works to make Missouri safer. Throughout the state, our 11,000 employees supervise 31,500 people in 21 institutions and 58,000 on probation and parole. 

We foster rehabilitation, treatment and education to help ensure that justice-involved Missourians contribute to their communities, both inside and outside our walls. 

About 96 percent of people who enter the prison system ultimately are released into Missouri cities and towns. We want to make sure they’re good neighbors.

In an effort to improve communication with the general public and the family and friends of offenders, the department will provide monthly updates that may affect you or an incarcerated loved one.  For more information, visit the department’s website at www.doc.mo.gov.   

Offender Telephone Calls

Phone

While offenders cannot receive telephone calls, telephones are available throughout each institution for offenders to make calls, as long as the offender is not on restricted status. Offenders assigned to segregation units have limited access to the telephone. All telephones are programmed to process collect calls, debit calls or prepaid calls. All offender phone calls are monitored for security purposes. Offenders making toll-free calls or participating in three-way calls may face disciplinary action. Family and friends should not facilitate phone calls between offenders. 

Offenders are required to use a personal identification number (PIN) in an automated security system to make calls. The offender may place a call by purchasing debit minutes in the canteen or from a kiosk inside the institution. Offenders also may make collect (Direct Bill) or pre-paid (Advanced Connect) calls using an account through Securus. To receive collect or pre-paid calls, set up an account with Securus online at securustech.net/phone-services or by phone, email or mail. Learn more about offender phone calls at doc.mo.gov/programs/family-friends/visiting/phone.


Tobacco-Free Environment

Tobacco-Free

In compliance with a court order and in support of the health, safety and welfare of staff members, offenders and visitors, the sale, possession and use of all tobacco products and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are prohibited in all department facilities, except in designated smoking areas. Visitors may use designated smoking areas but are prohibited from bringing tobacco products, tobacco product accessories, e-cigarettes or e-cigarette accessories into department facilities. The ban does not apply to private vehicles and parking lots.  All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, are contraband. A conduct violation will be issued to any offender found in possession of tobacco or tobacco products.


Medical Parole

Medical parole is considered only if the offender:

  • Has been diagnosed with an imminently terminal medical condition;
  • Is advanced in age to the extent the offender is in need of long-term skilled nursing home care; or
  • Poses low risk to the community because he or she is incapacitated due to a condition, either physical or mental, rendering the offender unable or unlikely to engage in activities of daily living without assistance, perform gainful employment and participate in criminal behavior.

An offender is not eligible for medical parole if sentenced to death or life without parole. 

If you believe an incarcerated offender meets the criteria, please encourage the offender to speak to his or her institutional primary care physician for an eligibility review.

Crossroads Correctional Center Update

A gradual restoration of services and movement continues at Crossroads Correctional Center, where a disturbance occurred on May 12.  Recently restored services include:

• Normal visiting, including food visits

• Increased outside recreation to gym and movement to chapel and library

• Hot lunches served daily in the dining room; sack meals in-cell for the morning and evening meals

• Increased offender programming

See the latest update »