Natchitoches

From the north, take I-49 South, exit Hwy 6, and turn left on Hwy 6. Continue straight on to University Parkway, which will turn into Rapides Drive. Cross the railroad tracks and the building will be on the right.

From the south, take I-49 North, exit Hwy 6, and stay right on Hwy 6. Continue straight on to University Parkway, which will turn into Rapides Drive. Cross the railroad tracks and the building will be on the right.

From the east, Take Hwy 84 West turns into Hwy 6 West. Stay straight until reaching University Parkway. Take a left and University Parkway will turn into Rapides Drive. Cross the railroad tracks and the building will be on the right.

From the west, take Hwy 6 East to Natchitoches. Continue straight on to University Parkway, which will turn into Rapides Drive. Cross the railroad tracks and the building will be on the right.

Natchitoches District is the second largest district geographically in the state of Louisiana. There are approximately 2,000 offenders supervised in the district, about 154 of these are sex offenders.

The district office is located in the city of Natchitoches, which is the oldest town in the Louisiana Purchase and has the beautiful Cane River running through the downtown area. It has attracted film companies and has been the site for several movies. Natchitoches is also the home of the brand new and modern facility that houses the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Northwest Louisiana History Museum. Natchitoches District, though large in size, is considered a rural district, and the history and heritage it holds only adds to its ambience.

The Natchitoches District staff works closely with all local, parish, and state agencies within its five parish region, and is committed to protecting public safety. In addition, Natchitoches District strives to provide alternatives to incarceration and implement various reentry initiatives. One of the ways we accomplish this is through the monthly Natchitoches Law Enforcement Roundtable meeting, which is a networking opportunity to share vital information among all of the parish agencies. This meeting nurtures the relationship between probation and parole and our community partners. Another community partner is the Louisiana Workforce Commission, which provides resources in finding gainful employment for returning citizens after a period of incarceration.

In addition to supervising nearly 2,000 offenders, some of the Natchitoches District officers also teach at the Probation & Parole Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy in Baton Rouge, while providing continuous training to fellow staff members in firearms, defensive tactics, first aid/CPR, and motivational interviewing skills.

With regards to reentry initiatives, there are officers assigned to Natchitoches Parish who are directly involved in the 10th Judicial District Court’s Probation Support Group, which meets monthly under the direction of District Judge Desiree Dyess. The support group provides numerous resources to offenders. The 10th Judicial District Court recently instituted the Drug Court Program, and currently provides substance abuse treatment, counseling on the struggles of addiction, and aftercare referrals for probationers. The Natchitoches District Staff also provides reentry and pre-release courses on a monthly basis at the various parish detention facilities in the district.

During Halloween, the staff conducts a Safe Night requiring all sex offenders to report to the Natchitoches Parish Community Center to learn the new sex offender laws, receive additional sex offender treatment, and listen to local law enforcement agencies concerning registration and notification requirements. These offenders are also subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. The Sex Offender Halloween Safe Night is held each year so the community can feel safe while their children enjoy a fun evening of trick or treating and festivities. Other reentry initiatives in the Natchitoches District include Probation and Parole Orientation Meetings for offenders to get information on how to successfully complete supervision while reintegrating back into society, the Inmate Welfare Fund where eligible parolees are provided with the day-to-day essentials to help them start out on the right path, collaboration with local universities at job fairs and career days to promote the profession of probation and parole and much more. Several officers with the Natchitoches District Staff, in an effort to ensure public safety, assist local, state, and federal law enforcement in warrant sweeps, sex offender compliance checks, and escapes.

Staff members are also involved in fundraisers and events such as the annual Torch Run to benefit Louisiana Special Olympics. Other community projects include Crime Victim’s Rights Awareness Week and the Natchitoches Christmas Lights Festival.