Southern Desert Correctional Center

Southern Desert Correctional Center is a medium-security state prison for male inmates that is located in Indian Springs, Nevada. This facility should not be confused with the Southern Nevada Correctional Center, which closed in 2008, or the Nevada Southern Detention Center, which is a private prison located in Pahrump, Nevada. 

This facility is operated by the Nevada Department of Corrections and houses mostly medium custody general population inmates, along with two separate specialized programming units. The total capacity for Southern Desert Correctional Center is approximately 2,149 inmates.

Located in Clark County, just north of Las Vegas, Southern Desert Correctional Center opened in February 1982. The department's fourth major institution has seven 102-cell housing units, one of which housed federal prisoners until the state took it over in 1987. Each 60-square foot cell housed one inmate at that time. 

A new 200-cell housing unit opened in 1989, and two, 240-bed, dormitory-style housing units were added in March 2008, bringing the population capacity from 714 in 1982 to its present capacity of 2,149.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at the Southern Desert Correctional Center are as follows:

INMATES
General Population
Inmates – Level I and Level II

DAYS/HOURS
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm

NOTES
Check-in times are 7:00 am to 8:30 am for the morning session and 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm for the afternoon session.

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INMATES
General Population
Inmates – Level III

DAYS/HOURS
Sundays, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for the morning session or 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the afternoon session.

NOTES
Check-in times are 7:00 am to 8:30 am for the for the morning session and 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm for the
afternoon session.

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INMATES
Austere Housing

DAYS/HOURS
Mondays, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m

NOTES
Check-in starts at 7:00 am and runs until 8:00 am for the morning session and 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon session.

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INMATES
Transitional Detention Mondays, 7:00 am to 9:00 amCheck-in starts at
(Behind glass only)

DAYS/HOURS
Mondays, 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m

NOTES
Check-in starts at 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. for the morning session and 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon session.

Visiting is Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

The number of visitors that will be eligible to visit may be reduced at any given time without notice to provide necessary safety and security or to meet the specific needs of the institution. Events such as but not limited to staffing, scheduling, programs (graduations), lockdowns, safety concerns etc. The amount of acceptable visitors will be at the discretion of the visiting Sergeant or Shift Supervisor.   

If you have any questions, please call (702) 879-1276 and ask for Visiting.

• An inmate’s visitor(s) will be allowed one entrance time per visiting day. Entrance is on a first come, first served basis.
• Inmates are allowed only one visit during each am/pm session (unless a Special Visit has been approved).
• All rules, regulations, and dress code will be strictly enforced. Please ensure you arrive in proper attire with the appropriate identification and documentation.

 (The inmate’s visiting schedule at Southern Desert Correctional Center is determined by his classification).  

General Rules

You must get approval before visiting your inmate. You will be subject to search when you arrive at the facility, and you must present a photo ID before you are allowed to enter. A maximum of four approved visitors per inmate is allowed per visiting session (including children). 

All visitors over the age of 18 will be required to sign a “Consent to Search” form. Minor(s) name and birth date will be added to the responsible adults “Consent to Search” form. Refusing to sign this form will automatically DENY your entrance to visit. 

A clothed pat search will be conducted upon completion of the visiting sign-in process on ALL visitors. Jackets, shoes, etc. need to be removed to be searched. All vehicles are subject to search at any time; this may include the use of certified Narcotic/Drug Detecting K-9’s.

Dress Code

Visitors are not allowed to wear clothing similar to inmate issue attire (i.e., blue denim shirts and/or pants). Visitors are required to wear sensible, conservative attire as interpreted by the Visitation Officer or Supervisor.  Ladies must wear undergarments (bras, panties, slip, etc.) at all times. 

The following is a list of clothing items that CANNOT be worn or brought into the facility. 

ABSOLUTELY NO SHADES OF BLUE Such as but not limited to aqua marine, turquoise, periwinkle, powder blue, and cyan.  

Tops:  

• No plain white T-shirts  
• No sleeveless tops or dresses (other than infants 0-12 months)  
• Sleeves must extend two inches over the shoulder (other than infants 0-12 months)  
• No midriff shirts, must cover the beltline  
• No low cut tops or dresses  
• No plunging necklines in the back or front of any garment  
• No tops with a zipper the total length of the garment (other than infants 0-12 months)  
• No hooded jackets, shirts, or sweaters (other than infants 0-12 months)  

Bottoms:  

• No culottes  
• No shorts  
• No leggings, jeggings, or spandex type clothing (allowances may be made for pregnant women)  
• No extreme baggy pants, male or female, as determined by visiting staff, Velour (velvet material) pants are allowed.
• No sweat pants, jogging pants, or track pants  
• Skirts, dresses, and Capri pants are allowed:  Must cover the entire knee while sitting and standing. Mid-calf in length or four inches below the knee. 
• Dresses must have sleeves that extend at least two inches over the shoulder (other than infants 0-12 months)  
• No floor length skirts or dresses  
• No wrap around skirts or dresses  
• No stretchy or tight fitting skirts or dresses of any fabric  
• No slits longer than three inches in skirts or dresses  
• No skirts, dresses, or pants with buttons or zippers the total length of the garment  

Footwear:

• No bare feet (other than infants 0-12 months)  
• All shoes/sandals must have a back or heel strap to secure the shoe/sandal to the foot (other than infants 0-12 months)
• No shoes with heels more than two (2) inches high
• No boots higher than mid-calf

Miscellaneous:

• No see-through clothing (other than infants 0-12 months)
• Must not be able to see under garments
• No clothing depicting any athletic sports team or activity
• No gloves or scarfs (other than infants 0-12 months)
• No nursing or medical uniforms/scrubs
• No tight fitting clothing
• No hats, headbands, scarves or bandanas (other than infants 0-12 months)
• Wigs, toupees, and hair pieces are allowed but are subject to search
• Jewelry allowed: One ring per hand, one set of earrings, one watch, and one necklace of religious nature (medical bracelets are allowed)

Undergarments must be worn and shall not be visible at any time. Please be advised the dress code is strictly enforced. They ask that you please check your clothing pockets before every visit to ensure that you are not in possession of any contraband, thus ensuring you are in full compliance with SDCC’s visiting policy. 

Failure to comply with the dress code will cause you to lose your visiting privileges for the day. Due to security and volume of people going through the gate house, changing improper clothing will not be allowed once you’ve reached the visiting waiting area. It’s at the visiting staffs’ discretion if you are in compliance with SDCC’s Visitor Dress Code.

Items Allowed In The Visiting Room

Items Allowed in the Institution: 

1) Valid Identification
2) A maximum of $40.00 in quarters or dollar coins, IN A CLEAR BAG
3) Wheel Chairs, Canes, and walkers
4) Oxygen Items 

Baby items are allowed: items must be in moderation to sustain a four hour visit. Items allowed are as followed:  

• Diapers  
• One change of clothing for the infant  
• NO Dry formula, formula MUST be mixed  
• Bottles  
• Wipes  
• Clearly marked baby food in a sealed container 

NOTE: ALL ITEMS MUST BE IN A CLEAR BAG

Items NOT ALLOWED into the Institution or the Visiting Area:  

• No cell phones or any electronic devices or parts  
• No Illegal Narcotics of any kind  
• No wallets/purses  
• No paper money  
• No food, drinks, or tobacco products  
• No gum  
• No cosmetics or Chapstick  
• No books, magazines, letters, papers, etc.  
• No pocket knives or nail clippers  
• No toys, games, strollers, or car seats.  
• No Legal papers / letters / pictures (prior approval required through Associate Warden of operations)

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

You can send money to inmates at the Southern Desert Correctional Center by snail mail with a Lockbox Deposit Coupon (cashier's check or money order), online with a credit or debit card at the Access Corrections website, or by calling Access Corrections at 1-866-345-1884.

Coupons for mail-in lockbox deposits must be either printed or obtained from the inmate. The inmate is responsible for sending coupons to persons wishing to send the inmate money.

Please make sure the money order is payable to “ACCESS SECURE DEPOSITS” and mail the deposit slip and money order to:

Secure Deposits - Nevada DOC
P.O. Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132

Because of increased counterfeit activity, funds from ALL money orders and cashier's checks received directly by NDOC will be available to the inmate fourteen calendar days from receipt.

Programs For Inmates

Southern Desert Correctional Center offers a wide range of programs for the inmate population and an opportunity to pursue a GED, high school diploma, or a college degree. 

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, Toastmasters, Gang Awareness, Conflict Resolution, Victim Empathy, Commitment to Change, SOS Help for Emotions, Thinking for Change, relationships, Sex Offender Treatment, Stress and Anxiety management. Additionally, Southern Desert offers “New Beginnings” a re-entry program, Forklift Certification and OSHA Certification in cooperation with the local Teamsters Union. SDCC offers “TRUST” a therapeutic community and “Re-Entry” a unit to prepare inmates for reintegration back into the community. 

Recently, "Photovoltaic Solar Panel Program" was added as a component to the Re-Entry Program. Religious services and activities for all denominations are available.

Southern Desert also has its own medical and mental health staff serving the inmate population.

Prison Industries

Prison industries at SDCC offers card sorting and the Silver State automotive restoration and repair.

Other programs offered:

• Anger Management for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Clients
• Commitment to Change
• Getting it Right
• Victim Impact: Listen and Learn
• High School Equivalency (HSE)
• High School Diploma
• Braille
• ServeSafe
• Moral Reconation Therapy
• Reaching Inward to Succeed in my Environment (RISE)
• Therapeutic Community
• Culinary Arts
• Small Engine Repair
• Team Recovery Under Structured Treatment (T.R.U.S.T.)

Pictures of Southern Desert Correctional Center

Careers at Southern Desert Correctional Center