| Prison Name: | High Desert State Prison |
| Location: | Clark County, Nevada |
| Coordinates: | 36.5125°N -115.5822°W |
| Status: | Operational |
| Classification: | Medium-maximum |
| Capacity: | 4,176 |
| Population: | (%) |
| Opened: | 1 September 2000 |
| Managed By: | Nevada Department of Corrections |
| Warden: | Calvin Johnson |
High Desert State Prison is a 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] It has a capacity of 4,176.
The 1576000ft2 complex lies approximately northwest of Las Vegas along highway 95. 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 26000square feet infirmary at the institution. All of the facility is located at a 160acres 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.
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.
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, north of the prison. To date, there have been two expansions. The first expansion, completed in 2004, added a 60000ft2 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.
| width=13% | Inmate Name | width=10% | Register Number | width=28% | Status | width=35% | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester Stiles | 1036868 | Serving 21 life sentences.[2] | Convicted child sexual abuser who recorded himself committing rape with a toddler, as well as molesting a 6-year-old.[3] [4] [5] [6] |