MO DOC - Eastern Reception & Diagnostic Correctional Center (ERDCC)

You can support your loved ones at ERDCC on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 573-358-5516.

Located at 2727 Hwy K in Bonne Terre, MO, ERDCC carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. ERDCC offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on MO DOC - Eastern Reception & Diagnostic Correctional Center (ERDCC) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

The ERDCC in Bonne Terre accommodates 2,684 male inmates across various security levels, including minimum, medium, maximum, and diagnostic. It serves as the intake point for male offenders in eastern Missouri, assessing their medical and mental health status and assigning them to appropriate facilities within the Missouri Department of Corrections (MODOC). Notably, ERDCC houses Missouri's lethal injection execution chamber.

The facility offers several programs aimed at rehabilitation and personal development, such as restorative justice, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and educational initiatives like Impact on Crime and Seven Points of Highly Successful People. Additionally, it operates a food facility that prepares meals for several other correctional centers in the region.

In August 2021, ERDCC experienced a COVID-19 outbreak, exacerbated by a lack of universal testing since August 2020. The facility, which receives inmates from county jails without consistent testing protocols, faced severe staffing shortages, leading to extended lockdowns and limited access to medical appointments for inmates.

Notable inmates at ERDCC include Levi King, a spree killer featured on Investigation Discovery's Most Evil, and Stephan Cannon, convicted of murdering retired police chief David Dorn. Ernest Lee Johnson, a triple murderer, was executed on October 5, 2021, while Amber McLaughlin was executed on January 3, 2023.