HISTORY

Stewart Conservation Camp (SCC) is located adjacent to the Northern Nevada Correctional Center (NNCC) in Carson City, Nevada.  SCC was originally designated as the Carson Conservation Camp in 1978.  The camp began with a small staff and three mobile home structures housing inmate crews for the Nevada Division of Forestry.  Prior to that time, crews had been housed at a small camp at Spooner Summit.  Following closure of the Spooner Summit Camp, inmate crews were housed in specific dormitories within NNCC and were released to their Crew Supervisors daily.

In 1995, a new Stewart Conservation Camp was constructed to replace and more than double the size of the original camp. The new camp buildings consist of five dormitory-style housing units as well as a multi-purpose room/gymnasium, a canteen, a laundry facility, an area of operations, and a culinary.

SCC houses minimum custody inmates in an open dormitory environment.  The majority of the inmates housed at SCC are employed in support of the Nevada Division of Forestry’s fire suppression and conservation efforts.  Other inmates are assigned to employment activities within the camp, and at the adjacent Prison Industries operated ranch and dairy.  Inmates have been recognized for their contributions to the community during the historic floods of 1997 and, on numerous occasions, for their wild land fire fighting efforts.

BEDSPACE & COUNT

Design

Operating

240

240

STAFFING

Custody Staff:

13

Support Services Staff:

2

Total Staff:

15

HOUSING

SCC houses an average of 240 inmates.  Housing includes the following:

• Unit 1, 48 beds housing inmates working at the ranch and culinary.
• Unit 3, 48 beds for non-smoking and ADA inmates.
• Unit 2, 4 and 5, each with 48 beds house inmates working for the Nevada Division of Forestry.

VISITING

Custody Level

Visiting Days

Hours

No Visiting

Notes

All Inmates housed at SCC

Sun

8:00 am to 2:00 pm

Mon-Sat

Visits take place at NNCC

PROGRAMS

Vocational:  SCC provides the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) with approximately 110-120 fire-trained inmates and staff to assist with fire suppression and other work projects.  SCC is Nevada’s only minimum-security camp, which has the NDF Helicopter and Helitack Pilot Program.  This program is one of two in the United States.  There are only six  inmate-helicopter

Cannon Fire 2002

crewmembers supervised by NDF staff.  Inmates selected for this program must have previous job experience and successfully complete an oral interview, physical agility test, 40 hours of testing and 80 hours of training.  While fighting fires, inmates may make up to $2.00 per hour and upon successful completion of a fire season may receive the maximum allowable NDP meritorious credits.  Helitack is responsible for responding to many different incidents each year.

Academic:  The Carson City School District provides GED programs for the inmates at SCC.

Other:  Approximately 7 different religious and secular programs are offered.  Programs include religious services for a variety of faiths and group meetings for AA and NA, as well as individual counseling.

Under the supervision of Prison Industries, the Ranch operates a commercial dairy, grows alfalfa, breeds and raises cattle and cares for horses in cooperation with the Nevada Department of Agriculture.  Beef, milk and alfalfa are commercially sold through this facility.  Additionally, the Ranch generates funds through the insemination and care of calves and the care of over 600 horses for the Nevada Department of Agriculture in the Estray Horse Adoption Program.

Stewart Conservation Camp pioneered the Horse Estray Program and currently maintains a 600-horse holding pen for wild horses rounded up by BLM throughout the mountainous ranges of northern Nevada.  Horses are transported to the holding pen and  provided   with  veterinary services.  Approximately 10-15 horses are then transported to Warm Springs Correctional Center where inmates gentle the horses through the Comstock Gentling Program.  These horses are then placed for adoption.