Lake Charles, Louisiana – The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has officially renamed the Calcasieu Sheriff’s Prison to the Sheriff Wayne McElveen Prison. This commemorative change recognizes the dedication and leadership of former Sheriff Wayne McElveen, who played a pivotal role in funding and overseeing the construction of the facility during his tenure.
Sheriff Stitch Guillory, the current head of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, announced the renaming as a tribute to McElveen’s legacy. Officials say McElveen’s efforts ensured the parish would have a secure, modern facility to house those awaiting trial or serving sentences. Before and during McElveen’s time, the region saw significant development in law enforcement resources and facility management.
The Sheriff Wayne McElveen Prison sits apart from the Calcasieu Correctional Center in both ownership and history. While the Correctional Center is owned and overseen by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the sheriff’s prison remains directly under the jurisdiction and ownership of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Wayne McElveen, who served as sheriff of Calcasieu Parish in the 1980s and 1990s, was known for his commitment to public safety and to advancing the resources available to his deputies and the wider community. His time in office included the pursuit of funding opportunities such as federal grants to enhance community policing and corrections. Former deputies and community members often credited him with establishing high standards for law enforcement processes, major projects, and partnerships.
The move to rename the facility is also intended to reinforce the importance of remembering the people behind public institutions.
Renaming public facilities to honor significant figures is a common practice in Louisiana. In this case, the honor is given for tangible contributions to public infrastructure and governance.