Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) is a state prison located in Jamestown, California. It covers an area of 420 acres and is nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. SCC offers a range of programs and services to inmates, including education, vocational training, firefighting training, and sewing. The facility is designed to house minimum to medium-security inmates and has a capacity of 3,404 inmates.
SCC is committed to providing inmates with the tools and resources they need to successfully reintegrate into society upon release. The facility offers a variety of programs aimed at reducing recidivism, including substance abuse treatment, anger management, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. In addition, SCC operates a conservation camp program that trains inmates to fight wildfires and provides assistance during natural disasters.
Overall, SCC strives to provide a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates while promoting rehabilitation and successful reentry into society. The facility’s dedication to providing a range of programs and services to inmates is a testament to its commitment to reducing recidivism and promoting public safety.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 3,404 |
| Physical Address | 5100 O’Byrnes Ferry Road, Jamestown, CA 95327 |
| Mailing Address | 5150 O’Byrnes Ferry Road – Housing #, Jamestown, CA 95327 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (209) 984-5291 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Location
Sierra Conservation Center is a state prison located in Tuolumne County, California, near the unincorporated community of Jamestown. The physical address of the prison is 5100 O’Byrnes Ferry Road, Jamestown, CA 95327. The prison is situated on 420 acres of land.
Jamestown is a small historic town located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California. It is located approximately 100 miles east of San Francisco and 50 miles southeast of Sacramento. The town has a population of around 3,500 people and is known for its historic architecture, antique stores, and gold mining history.
The location of SCC is remote and isolated, surrounded by mountains and forests. The prison is situated in a rural area with limited access to public transportation. The closest major airport is located in Sacramento, approximately 100 miles away.
The inmate mailing address for SCC is Inmate Name, ID, Housing # Sierra Conservation Center 5100 O’Byrnes Ferry Road Jamestown, CA 95327. Visitors can find directions to the prison on the official website of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Housing and Programs
Housing
Sierra Conservation Center provides housing for minimum and medium custody inmates. The facility is designed to house up to 3,404 inmates. SCC has a sensitive needs yard for inmates who require special housing due to safety concerns. The facility also has a veterans support group for incarcerated veterans.
Programs
SCC offers a variety of programs and services to aid in the rehabilitation of inmates. The Conservation Camp Program is one of the primary programs offered at SCC, which trains and places male inmates in conservation camps in wilderness areas throughout the state. The program allows inmates to work on fire suppression and prevention, flood control, and other projects that benefit the state.
SCC also offers medical and substance abuse treatment programs, as well as vocational trades programs in textiles and body repair. Inmates can participate in the Volunteer Education Program, which provides educational opportunities such as GED and college courses. The program is funded by inmate wages and is available to all inmates, regardless of custody level.
Other programs offered at SCC include Alternatives to Violence, Responsible Fatherhood, Self-Awareness and Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, New Professionals, Leadership Development, Art and Healing, Anger Management, Career Development, Arts Corrections, English as a Second Language, and Meditation. SCC also has a reimbursable community crew program, where inmates can work on community projects and earn wages.
SCC offers Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, as well as a veterans support group for incarcerated veterans. The facility also has a prison without walls program, which allows eligible inmates to serve their sentence in the community under electronic monitoring.
In conclusion, SCC provides a variety of housing and program options for incarcerated individuals, with a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Conservation Camp Program
The Conservation Camp Program at Sierra Conservation Center is responsible for training and deploying inmates to assist in fire suppression efforts in California. The program is designed to provide a cost-effective solution to the state’s wildland fire problem while also providing inmates with valuable training and work experience.
The program is divided into three main categories: fire suppression, conservation camps, and emergencies. Inmates who complete the program are trained in basic firefighting skills and are dispatched to locations throughout the state to assist in fire suppression efforts. They also participate in conservation projects such as trail maintenance and tree planting.
The conservation camps are located in remote wilderness areas and are designed to provide inmates with a unique work experience. Inmates live in tents and work on projects such as forest thinning and habitat restoration. The camps have no walls or fences and are staffed by correctional officers who live on-site.
In the event of an emergency, SCC is responsible for coordinating the response efforts of all conservation camps in the state. This includes the deployment of inmates to assist in disaster relief efforts such as floods and earthquakes.
Overall, the Conservation Camp Program at SCC is an innovative approach to addressing California’s wildland fire problem while also providing inmates with valuable training and work experience. The program has been successful in reducing the cost of fire suppression efforts while also reducing recidivism rates among program participants.
Education Programs
Sierra Conservation Center offers a variety of educational and vocational programs to help inmates gain valuable skills and knowledge that can help them succeed in life after their release. The facility’s education programs include adult basic education, GED classes, and tech education.
Adult Basic Education
SCC provides adult basic education courses to help inmates improve their reading, writing, and math skills. These courses are designed to help inmates achieve a basic level of literacy and numeracy that can help them in their daily lives and in their future careers. Inmates can also take courses in English as a second language (ESL) to improve their language skills.
GED Classes
SCC offers GED classes to help inmates earn their high school equivalency diplomas. The GED program is designed to help inmates who did not complete high school to gain the skills and knowledge they need to pass the GED exam. The program covers a range of subjects, including math, science, social studies, and language arts.
Tech Education
SCC provides vocational training in a variety of fields to help inmates gain valuable skills and knowledge that can help them find employment after their release. The facility offers courses in firefighting techniques, carpentry, masonry, welding, auto mechanics, electronics, and more. Inmates can earn certifications in these fields that can help them start a new career upon their release.
The facility also provides mental health services to help inmates cope with the stresses of incarceration and prepare for their release. Inmates can receive counseling and therapy to help them deal with issues such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Overall, SCC’s education programs are designed to help inmates gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life after their release. The facility’s commitment to education and vocational training is an important part of its mission to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism rates in central California.
Medical and Mental Health Services
Sierra Conservation Center provides medical and mental health services to its prisoners. The facility has a medical clinic staffed by licensed medical professionals that provides routine and emergency health care to prisoners. They also have a dental clinic that offers preventative and restorative dental care.
The mental health services delivery system at SCC is designed to provide prisoners with access to quality mental health care. The facility has a team of licensed mental health professionals that provide individual and group therapy to prisoners. They also have a crisis intervention team that responds to emergencies and provides support to prisoners in distress.
SCC offers voluntary programs to prisoners who are interested in improving their mental health. The facility has a substance abuse treatment program that provides counseling and support to prisoners struggling with addiction. They also have a cognitive behavioral therapy program that helps prisoners learn coping skills and strategies to manage their mental health.
Prisoners at SCC have access to medical and mental health services regardless of their ability to pay. The facility has a medical co-payment system in place, but prisoners who are unable to pay are not denied medical care. The facility also has a grievance system in place to address complaints related to medical and mental health services.
Overall, SCC is committed to providing prisoners with access to quality medical and mental health services. They are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of their prisoners and work hard to ensure that they receive the care they need.
Volunteer Programs
Sierra Conservation Center offers a variety of volunteer programs that allow individuals to give back to the community while supporting the center’s mission of conservation and rehabilitation. Here are some of the volunteer programs offered by SCC:
Volunteer Education Program
The Volunteer Education Program provides an opportunity for volunteers to work alongside SCC staff members and gain hands-on experience in conservation and rehabilitation efforts. Volunteers can participate in a range of activities, including planting trees, restoring habitats, and maintaining trails. The program is open to individuals of all ages and skill levels, and volunteers are encouraged to commit to a minimum of 20 hours of service.
Reimbursable Community Crews
SCC partners with local organizations and agencies to provide reimbursable community crews. These crews are composed of non-violent, low-risk offenders who work under the supervision of SCC staff members to complete conservation and rehabilitation projects. The program benefits both the community and the offenders, as it provides a chance for the offenders to give back to the community while gaining valuable work experience.
Religious Prison Industry Authority
The Religious Prison Industry Authority (RPIA) is a volunteer program that provides offenders with the opportunity to work in a variety of industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. The program is designed to help offenders develop job skills and work experience that can be used upon release. RPIA volunteers work under the supervision of SCC staff members and are responsible for completing a variety of tasks, including planting crops, building structures, and manufacturing products.
In conclusion, SCC offers a range of volunteer programs that allow individuals to give back to the community while supporting the center’s mission of conservation and rehabilitation. Whether through the Volunteer Education Program, Reimbursable Community Crews, or the Religious Prison Industry Authority, volunteers can make a positive impact on the environment and the lives of others.
Visiting Hours
Sierra Conservation Center allows visitors to see their loved ones on
- Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
All visitors must complete a Visitor Registration form and submit it at Sierra Conservation Center SCC. Those who are approved on this form will be allowed to visit. All approved visitors must show a valid ID before visiting. All visitors must be 18 years of age.
Prospective visitors must submit visiting requests directly to the institution where their loved one is housed, using the designated email addresses for each institution.
It is important to note that visitors must follow the rules and regulations of the institution. Any violation of the rules may result in the visitor being banned from visiting their loved one in the future. Visitors should also note that they are subject to search before entering the facility, and any contraband found will be confiscated.
Overall, Sierra Conservation Center provides ample visiting hours for visitors to see their loved ones on weekends. However, it is important to follow the rules and regulations of the institution to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Administrative Segregation
Sierra Conservation Center has an Administrative Segregation (Ad-Seg) unit that houses inmates who pose a threat to themselves or others, or who have violated prison rules. Inmates in Ad-Seg are housed in single cells and are kept separate from the general population. They are allowed limited access to programs and services, and their movements are closely monitored.
Inmates in Ad-Seg receive their meals in their cells, and they are allowed one hour of exercise per day in a secured outdoor area. They are also allowed to receive visits from family and friends, but these visits are conducted through a glass partition and are closely monitored by staff.
SCC has a very well-equipped on-site medical/dental facility that provides medical and dental care to inmates in Ad-Seg. Inmates in Ad-Seg are also allowed to receive mental health services and counseling.
Inmates in Ad-Seg are eligible for a personal property package after completion of one year of Privilege Group D assignment. The California Code of Regulations, Article 3.5, Section 3044, outlines the eligibility requirements for personal property packages.
SCC is committed to ensuring that inmates in Ad-Seg are treated fairly and humanely. The prison has policies and procedures in place to ensure that inmates receive proper medical care, nutrition, and access to programs and services. Staff members are trained to treat inmates with respect and to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone in the prison.