MO DOC - Western Reception & Diagnostic Correctional Center (WRDCC)

You can support your loved ones at WRDCC on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 816-271-2158.

Located at 3401 Faraon St in St. Joseph, MO, WRDCC carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. WRDCC 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 - Western Reception & Diagnostic Correctional Center (WRDCC) 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 WRDCC originated as a response to the 1993 Great Flood, initially serving as a satellite facility of the Western Missouri Correctional Center. In the aftermath of the disaster, a building within the grounds of the St. Joseph State Hospital was repurposed to house minimum-security offenders who assisted in community recovery efforts. Subsequently, in 1994, the Park Building Treatment Center commenced operations, utilizing another former St. Joseph State Hospital building to address the flood's aftermath. Following these developments, the construction of the current WRDCC facility was approved in 1996.

Spanning 168 acres, with 71 acres enclosed within a secured perimeter, WRDCC's present configuration includes three primary components: the reception and diagnostic center, a treatment center, and general population housing units. The focal point of the facility is its reception and diagnostic center, housed within a three-story, 220,000-square-foot building. This central structure accommodates administrative offices, a control center, medical facilities, food service operations, visiting areas, receiving facilities, and diagnostic offices. Additionally, a five-story annex adjacent to the main building provides secure housing for 529 offenders, with provisions for additional beds if necessary, as they undergo diagnostic screening before their initial institutional placement.

Staff assigned to the maximum-security area of the reception and diagnostic center employ advanced electronic security systems to monitor and manage offender movements within the complex. The diagnostic process, typically spanning around forty days, is conducted entirely within this unit, with an average of 425 offenders processed each month. During the diagnostic phase, offenders undergo comprehensive screenings to assess their medical, mental health, substance abuse treatment, educational, vocational, and custody needs. Based on the outcomes of these assessments, offenders are then assigned to a facility tailored to address their security and rehabilitative requirements.

In summary, WRDCC stands as a pivotal institution within Missouri's corrections infrastructure, initially established in response to a natural disaster and subsequently expanded to accommodate the state's evolving correctional needs. Through its reception and diagnostic center, WRDCC plays a vital role in the intake and assessment of new offenders, ensuring that they are appropriately placed within the correctional system to receive the necessary support and services for rehabilitation. With its sophisticated infrastructure and comprehensive diagnostic processes, WRDCC remains committed to promoting public safety and offender rehabilitation within the state's correctional system.