I need information on High Desert State Prison - Susanville, California

[surfergirl808]

Hello all,
Just wondering if anyone can give me any info on what the High desert prison is like? Is it only for lifers? What is the environment like? I have a pen pal there and I have asked him things but he won't tell me anything. I am just curious. Some days he seems ok and some days I can tell in his voice he is very stressed. Any info greatly appreciated.
Thanks a bunch,
A

[Jus' Mom]

Hi! Here's what CDC has for High Desert. It will answer some questions you have. Teri

High Desert State Prison - Mission Statement

The primary mission of High Desert State Prison is to provide for the confinement of general population high security (Level IV) and high-medium security (Level III) inmates. The institution also serves as a reception center for inmates from Northern California counties. HDSP has a 200-bed minimum support facility (MSF) and a 200-bed reception center (RC) that processes inmates who are remanded to the care of the Department of Corrections from Northern California counties.

Institution Details

The majority of the prison's population is comprised of younger inmates who are serving long sentences and/or those who have proven to be management problems while in prison. Provided by HDSP are vocational programs, educational programs, and work assignments for those inmates who are willing to participate. HDSP has a Correctional Treatment Center (CTC) to provide for the health care needs of the inmates. Additionally, HDSP is designed to house inmates with disabilities who require specialized placement to accommodate accessibility issues.

Institution Operation

In September 1995, HDSP received its first inmates. The first housing units to be activated were the minimum support facility and two Level III 270º design facilities. These were soon followed by the two Level IV 180º design facilities. In the spring of 1996, the 200-bed reception center was established. In May of 1997, one of the Level III 270º design facilities was converted to Level IV general population housing to accommodate departmental IV bed needs.

A lethal electrified fence exists between the outside perimeter fences and provides a secure and cost effective method of preventing escapes. Two of the prison's 13 towers are staffed on a regular basis to provide armed coverage of pedestrians and vehicles entering or exiting the prison. The remaining 11 towers can be staffed quickly in the event of an emergency. All 13 towers have clear and unobstructed sight of the perimeter fence line as well as the exteriors of the housing units.

Institution Statistics

High Desert State Prison was opened August 1995, and covers 325 acres. As of Fiscal Year 2000/2001, the following statistics apply:

Number of custody staff:842

Number of support services staff:404

Total number of staff:1,246

Annual operating budget:$96 million


Designed Bedspace & Count
Facility Level I - Design Capacity-200 Count-308
Facility Level III - Design Capacity-400 Count-818
Facility Level IV - Design Capacity-1,396 Count-2,537
RC - Design Capacity-100 Count-325
Total - Design Capacity-2,096 Count-3,988



Special Historical Notes

In early 1990, the CDC initiated discussions for a new prison in Lassen County on the grounds of the California Correctional Center (CCC). This location took advantage of existing state property and the ability to share operations with an existing prison.

Construction of the new prison began on July 14, 1993, with a budget of $240 million. In just 24 months the new prison became a dominant part of the surrounding landscape. The construction of the prison consumed 71,985 yards of concrete, 20,000 tons of steel, 364 miles of electrical wire and 7 miles of chain link fencing, combined with the multitude of other required construction materials necessary in the completion of this modern prison complex.

Named High Desert State Prison by the Lassen County Board of Supervisors, the prison is located approximately eight miles east of the town of Susanville, or about a 1 hour 30 minute drive northwest of Reno, Nevada.


INMATE PROGRAMS

• PIA: None
• Vocational: Auto body repair and refinishing, auto mechanics, building maintenance, carpentry, computer and related technology, dry cleaning, electrical, electronics, graphic arts and printing, landscaping and gardening, maintenance, mechanical drawing, mill and cabinet, office services, plumbing, small engine repair.
• Academic: Adult Basic Education, High School/GED, Pre-Release, English as a Second Language, Literacy Program.
• Other: Youth Diversion, Religious, Arts in Corrections, Toy Repair, Victim Awareness, Adopt-A-Scho
• VISITING HOURS AND DIRECTIONS
  Processing hours from 12:30 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.
  
  Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays* from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  Processing hours from 8:00 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.
• *New Year's Day, Independence Day,
  Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
  For additional visiting information please call the Visitor Processing Center at (530) 251-5100, ext. 5708.
  
  
  
  Directions:
  
  High Desert State Prison is located 210 miles North of Sacramento, 298 miles North East of San Francisco. For additional directions, go to www.Mapquest.com.

[surfergirl808]

Thank you Teri,
for that article. I did get some questions answered. I know nothing about prison life and I read everything I can. My pen pal is really sweet, and I think he doesnt want to worry me, but I do when they are on lock down, I worry that because I am black and he is mexican that someone will see my pictures and give him a hard time...I hope that doesnt sound stupid or naive, but I grown very close to him and I worry about him.
Thanks again for taking the time to post the article.

[danonew2]

If you know which yard he is on, then I can tell you pretty much anything you need to know. As far as the race isssue, That kind of depends on whether or not he is from No. Cal or So. Cal. I will explain if want me to. I try to check this site every other nite or so.

[surfergirl808]

Hello,
Thank you for responding to my questions. Please tell me what you know.
I am not sure what yard he is on. Is there a D yard? if so that is the one.
He is from So. Cal. Thanks in advance.
A

[cherrylusciouz]

hello, I was wondering if anybody has been to H.D.S.P AND IF YOU CAN PLEASE RECOMEND ME SOME HOTELS

[1000miles]

SusanvilleStuff.com has a list of hotels. Here it is. When I went up on August 5th I stayed at the River Inn, it's one of the few hotels that has a pool. If you don't need a pool, I heard that the Apple Inn is descent. I recommend NOT staying at the Diamond View Motel because I stayed there once and the air conditioning did not work very well and the ceiling fan was broken so the room was warm. If you have any other questions you can post here or pm me.


Places to Stay

America's Best Inn's
2705 Main St (530) 257-4522


Apple Inn Motel & Gift Shop
2720 Main St (530) 257-4726



Best Western Trailside Inn
2785 Main St (530) 257-4123


Budget Host Frontier Inn

2685 Main St (530) 257-4141

Diamond View Motel

1529 Main St (530) 257-4585

High Country Inn

3015 E Riverside (530) 257-3450

Motel 9
1067 Main St (530) 251-5702


River Inn

1710 Main St (530) 257-6051

Roseberry House Bed & Breakfast
609 North St (530) 257-5675



St Francis Hotel
830 Main St (530) 257-4820


Super 8 Motel
2975 Johnstonville Rd (530) 257-2782

[denverswife]

I liked Americas Best Inn. It's a family run motel in a chain. They were very good to me, and gaveme discounts when they realized I was going to be there frequently.
As for the prison, my man was in the hole for reception so I don't know much,except they had the strictest visiting room I've ever seen. It was like everyone was in detention! Facing front, very low voices, assigned seats. Creepy!

[LeBeau]

I stayed at the Frontier Inn, not bad at all, cute room, pleasant staff, decently priced, but I expect I'll be at the Super 8 next time just for the pool...Can anyone give me an inside scoop on B yard?

[michellelynnwil]

I stayed at the best western very nice. pool breakfast coffee pot in room also fridge and microwave, kinda expensive though. 186 for three nights

[Ry*sgrl]

Okay.....I'm planning a trip to High Desert State prison in Susanville for my first time....I do plan on staying in a hotel, is there a way I can get to the prison from the hotel? How far is the prison from the hotels? This will be my first time visiting a prison, is it okay to go alone or should I go with someone? I hope someone can answer my questions. I'm very nervous!! Thank you!!!

[kg4ujg]

Anyone have the scoop on C yard?

[Kalypso]

I have an old friend who is a female guard there, and I'm trying to reconnect with her as we lost touch for years, but I know she still works there. I will report anything I can find out to you here. However, I know that she worked there in 1988 as she tried to get me to get a CO job there. So what's this that the prison started in 1996?

[messyjesse]

Originally Posted by danonew2

If you know which yard he is on, then I can tell you pretty much anything you need to know. As far as the race isssue, That kind of depends on whether or not he is from No. Cal or So. Cal. I will explain if want me to. I try to check this site every other nite or so.

my boyfriend is on b yard, and hes from so.cal. and hes white....i dont know why im so worried about him. i guess i just care about him so much i worry. anyways, any info is appreciated so much!!!