High Desert State Prison (Nevada)

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High Desert State Prison
HighDesertPrisonNevada.jpg
High Desert State Prison (Nevada)
Location Clark County, Nevada
Coordinates 36°30′45″N115°34′56″W / 36.5125°N 115.5822°W / 36.5125; -115.5822
StatusOperational
Security classMaximum (Death Row)
Capacity4,176
Population(%)
Opened1 September 2000
Managed by Nevada Department of Corrections
Warden Calvin Johnson

High Desert State Prison is a maximum security state prison in unincorporated Clark County, Nevada, near Indian Springs, northwest of Las Vegas. It is the largest institution of the Nevada Department of Corrections and the newest, having opened on September 1, 2000. [1] Since September 2024, the men's death row is located here. It has a capacity of 4,176.

Contents

Facilities

The 1,576,000 sq ft (146,400 m2) complex lies approximately 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Las Vegas along highway 95. [1] It was designed as the most secure prison within the Nevada Department of Corrections system. High Desert State Prison contains 12 housing units designed to house 336 inmates each. Each of units 1–8 are separated into four (4) sections called "pods." Each set of two "pods" shares a common control center and staff office. Each set of two pods also shares a sally port and an activity room. There is also a 26,000 sq ft (2,400 m2) infirmary at the institution. All of the facility is located at a 160-acre (65 ha) site which is kept secure by a lethal electrified fence and seven armed towers, as well as a roving perimeter patrol officer. Construction completed in 2009 added 1,344 beds to the original 2,671, for a total capacity of 4,176. [1]

The Tonopah Conservation Camp is associated with the prison. The Clark County School District provides the education program on site using 8 classrooms and 2 libraries.

History

The institution opened on 1 September 2000 and became the reception unit for southern Nevada. This facility was designed to be the first of several prisons to be built at this location. The facility presented many design challenges, such as electrical backup and water supply, and there have been difficulties in staff retention due to the remote location. The closest populated area to the prison is Indian Springs, 8 miles (13 km) north of the prison. To date, there have been two expansions. The first expansion, completed in 2004, added a 60,000 sq ft (5,600 m2) prison industries building and a gymnasium. The second expansion added four more housing units. High Desert is one of the largest prisons in the United States, and is a medium security facility. High Desert is structurally the most secure prison in the Nevada Department of Corrections.[ citation needed ] In September 2024, Nevada's death row inmates were transferred to High Desert State Prison from Ely State Prison. As a result High Desert prison became a maximum security facility while Ely's security level was reduced to medium. [2]

Notable inmates

Inmate NameRegister NumberStatusDetails
Chester Stiles 1036868Serving 21 life sentences. [3] Convicted child sexual abuser who recorded himself committing rape with a toddler, as well as molesting a 6-year-old. [4] [5] [6] [7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "High Desert State Prison". Nevada Department of Corrections. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  2. "Inmate swap between Ely State and High Desert State prisons completed, NDOC says". KTNV-TV.
  3. "Stiles sentenced to 21 life terms in child sex assaults". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2009-05-29. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  4. "Suspect arrested in sex assault on 3-year-old". NBC News. 2007-10-16. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  5. "Conviction In Toddler Sex Assault Case - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  6. "Man guilty in toddler sex video case". NBC News. 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  7. Ritter, Ken (2009-05-29). "Nevada man sentenced to prison in child sex case". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  8. "OJ Simpson Arrives at Nevada Prison in Lovelock". KOLO-TV . Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  9. Zaleski, Annie (5 May 2011). "Rocker Ronnie Radke is out of prison and ready to make his musical mark again". Las Vegas Weekly. Archived from the original on 28 August 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  10. "Court issues full opinion in Kathy Augustine murder", Las Vegas Sun, 15 Jan 2010
  11. Rolling Stone:Culture:Culture-Features:Sept. 17th, 2021:Scott Thorson, Last Living Wonderland Murders Witness, Is Finally Free.