Phelps Inmate Count Drops Below 100

DEQUINCY, La. (AP) — With Phelps Correctional Center's Nov. 1 closing date looming, officials say the offender population at the prison north of DeQuincy has dropped below 100.

Acting warden Roy Williams tells the American Press just over 70 prisoners were transferred Tuesday to Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel, leaving 96 inmates at the prison.

Nearly 900 prisoners were being kept at the prison when the state announced in a surprise move Sept. 14 that it planned to close the facility.

The first major move of 230 inmates took place Oct. 1, and Williams said he expects the correctional center to be emptied of prisoners by Friday.

He took over as warden last Friday for Robert Henderson, who retired, in what Williams said was a previously planned move.