Cheryl Burson, Associate Warden for Programs
Historical:
Located in Clark County, just North of Las Vegas, Southern Desert Correctional Center, the department's Fourth major institution,
was opened in February 1982 with seven 102 cell housing units, one of which housed federal prisoners but was added to the state’s
population in 1987. Each 60 square foot cell housed one inmate at that time. A new 200 cell housing unit was opened in 1989 and,
most recently, two 240 bed dormitory style housing units were opened in March of 2008 bringing the population capacity from 714 in
1982 to the present day population capacity of 2106.
Staffing:
In addition to our staff of 192 Protective Service staff, Southern Desert Correctional Center employs a number of professional
and skilled staff:
31 Program Staff (including Education Principal, AA and Braille)
12 Skilled Maintenance Personnel
4 Warehouse Employees
4 Correctional Cooks
1 Laundry/Dry Cleaning Specialist
1 Recreation Specialist
9 Administrative/Clerical
1 Institutional Chaplain
Capacity:
Southern Desert Correctional Center houses mostly medium custody general population inmates, some close custody protective
segregation inmates along with two (2) separate specialized programming units. . The total capacity for Southern Desert Correctional
Center is approximately 2106 inmates.
Visiting:
Special Notes:
Visiting
Special Visits--Are immediate family members only and may occur up to four times and only if:
That family member has yet to be added to the inmates Visiting List.
Visitor is arriving from Out-of-State (or 3hrs. or more from the facility)
Inmates are only allowed to visit one time during each a.m./p.m. session (unless a Special Visit has been approved)
Morning check in: 6:30 am to 8:30 am - Afternoon check in: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm - Visiting ends at 4:00 pm
Appointments can be made via telephone or e-mail to: sdccvisitation@doc.nv.gov. The e-mail must contain the Inmate name and I.D. number.
Due to limited space please provide at least four (4) choices of dates and times you wish to visit. ALL REQUEST MUST BE NO MORE THAN ONE
(1) WEEK IN ADVANCE OF THE VISIT.
All General Population Units:
Friday thru Sunday 6:30 am to 10:30 am & 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Administrative & Disciplinary Segregation:
Monday 6:30 am to 10:30 am and 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Programs: Vocational Training, Educational Opportunities, and Treatment Services
Southern Desert Correctional Center offers a wide range of programs for all of the inmate population and an opportunity to enroll
in educational classes in pursuit of a GED, High School Diploma or College Degrees. Southern Desert offers the most programs of
any of the facilities located in Nevada, to include: Anger Management, Stress Management, Fitness and Wellness, Inside/Out Dads,
Domestic Violence, Communications, Toastmasters, Gang Awareness, Addiction Prevention Education, Conflict Resolution, Victim Empathy,
Commitment to Change, SOS Help for Emotions, Thinking for Change, Project Metamorphosis, relationships, Sex offender Treatment Stress
and Anxiety management. Additionally, Southern Desert offers “New Beginnings” a re-entry, Horticulture and Pesticide Application in
cooperation with University of Nevada - Las Vegas and Forklift Certification and OSHA Certification in cooperation with the local
Teamsters Union. SDCC offers “OASIS” a therapeutic community and “LEaP” an intensive programming unit. Religious services and activities
for all denominations are available, and the “7 course Meal for the Soul Program” was recently added.
Southern Desert also has its own medical and mental health staff serving the inmate population.
Prison Industries:
SDCC offers Prison industries, card sorting, the Cobra shop and automotive restoration and repair.
Nevada Department of Corrections
