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    Kern Valley State Prison

    2.4 (9 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Kern Valley State Prison Photos

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Helpful 16
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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    North Kern State Prison - Gate to facility

    North Kern State Prison

    2.6(8 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Aside from this being a prison everything can go smoothly for your visits if you go prepared. This…read moreis not like county where just anyone can go visit. You need to be on an approved list for visiting first, so the inmate will have to send you a visiting application and have it approved. This can take up to 6 weeks. I've seen a lot of people turned away, some drove hundreds of miles, just because they were not approved. Read the visiting rules online ahead of time. Also.. Reception Vs Mainline: inmates in reception only have glass visits which means, like in county, the inmates are behind glass, inmates in mainline have contact visits which means they can hug and sit next to each other, etc. Reception visits are an hour long, mainline visits are 2+ hours long. If the inmate has been in trouble and placed in ad seg they only get glass visits until they get out of ad seg. Appointments: Reception and mainline visits are walk-in only. You can make an appointment but even the guards will tell you that they don't matter cuz they do it based on first-come, first-serve. Ad seg visits must be scheduled by phone only. You NEED to call in for those. 661-721-2345 ext. 7030 Parking: There is plenty of parking and it is less than 500 feet from the processing center. It's free so you don't have to worry about paying anything. Visiting process: So when you get inside the processing center you need to fill out a paper and place your ID / birth certificates (if you're bringing any children) on top of it and place it on the counter by the guard on the computer. You sit and wait for the other guards to call your name. When they call your name you need to take your shoes off and go through a walk through metal detector. Even underwire from your bra will make it go off and they won't let you through so make sure there's no underwire in your bra. Once you get past the metal detector they give you a paper and your ID/birth certificates and you go through this cage like thing that lets you into the prison to the visiting room. Reception is straight ahead and mainline is to the left. Once you get inside you place your paper on the counter where the guard is (you can't leave without this paper) and wait to be called. Once they call your name you have your visit whether it is glass or contact. After your visit is over you grab your paper go through the cage thing again hand your paper and all IDs to the guard and go home. They keep the paper and you get your IDs. Tips: bring extra clothes in case they make you change. Black/gray shirt, black/ gray sweats or pants (not leggings) are safe. For mainline you can bring $50 in dollars/ quarters for vending machines per adult and $20 in dollars/ quarters per child. (Reception doesn't have any food or vending machines.) If you are bringing a baby/ toddler there is an approved list of what you can and cannot bring online. Be sure to check that out before you come for your visit! Good luck and happy visit!

    The institution current framework demonstrates a deficiency in evidence-based rehabilitative…read moreprogramming and systemic conditions indicates that inmates safety and security are not prioritized. Critical improvements can be made by fostering integrated housing, optimizing facility management and safety, promoting demographic proportionality, ensuring equitable distribution of resources.

    Photos
    North Kern State Prison - The day my son came home from that drug infested North Kern State prison

    The day my son came home from that drug infested North Kern State prison

    North Kern State Prison - Saturday Visiting Day....

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    Saturday Visiting Day....

    Wasco State Prison-Reception Area

    Wasco State Prison-Reception Area

    4.3(4 reviews)
    13.0 mi

    Highly recommended to detain those who have been found guilty. Thank you for your service for those…read morewho work behind the walls of this facility. Not an easy career and for that thank you for your service.

    I was treated wonderfully by the male Staff probably because…read moreI was the only white female they had seen under the age of 50 in months. Kinda creepy. I also was treated awful by any female staff. The front gate guy on weekends is super kind and very helpful. I commend him for maintaining such a level of professionalism while not being a butthead like most of the others inside the visitor center. Speaking of which, the little trailer outside where they send you if they feel threatened by the wire in your bra (or even better, your size a tits under a jacket with a slight hint nipple to be discovered by the ferociously deprived inmates) there is a nice Asian woman who won't speak English but is great with a pair of scissors. (They have a free bra wire removing service for your convenience.) the Hispanic man with his hair always jelled back nicely that works in the reception visiting center who tells you which window to go to isn't so much social, but kind nonetheless. He gets his job done without making you feel like a criminal. He also plays decent music (except during the holidays which I'm sure is against his will.) as far as the person who was residing there, he says 2.5/5 and he went to CMC to solitary confinement after because of the failure of his counselor to see him for 6 months at wasco and gave them a 3.9.

    Kern Valley State Prison - jailsandprisons - Updated May 2026

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