Parking is right at the visitor's entrance. (Not like CMF, where you have to park in a muddy field then trudge over to a surly greeting.) When you enter the visitor center, it is set up like 90% of the Cali prisons, so the toilets are on your right just past the "Wall of Fame" with the warden's photo. Clean bathrooms. Plenty of towels, and an air dryer. Very nice. The blocks are set up quite differently from most prisons. There is A, B, C, and D. You will get lost 10/10, but the cops walking around are very helpful. Even the guy in the gun tower pointed out where we were supposed to be. They do legal visits in person, with a conference table between. I give it four stars because five would have to be something spectacular, like they bring you donuts, but way better than just three. Would visit again. read more

Wether this is a prison or not, treating people so nastily is inhumane. treat them like wild animals and soon they will turn on you like a wild animal, psychology! they did searches and yes necessary and typical however my loved ones blankets got taken his sheets, his spoon for eating, tooth brush, his toilet paper, emptied his seasonings and coffee on the floor, took 3 of his white shirts, and other items that should of never been taken from him! you guys are ruining the ones that are trying to do good and just do their time and come home! the blanket thing is just sick because it's getting super cold in the cells at night. Then you try to call the prison and you can't speak to a person at all!!! there's no operator no information center and no wellness checks for loved ones! I hope the people that are comfortably doing this, get the karma they deserve read more

It was so hot outside having to sit under a covered make shift no air conditioning nor circulation space while as a walk- in for hour or so excruciatingly hot. I don't know if that's to say ought be grateful or seems hateful you could have a heat stroke out there. I know seeing your loved ones you'd rather be yet that's a bit in humane. Tho once inside it was cool fast friendly pleasant. read more

Went here for reception 8 months ago. Guards turn there backs on fights in the pod. Bad food. Hot as shit in the summer, no Air condition in the cells. 110°F outside 120° in the cell. You don't want to go to yard because it's hot as hell, but if you don't your people are gonna beat your ass for not going. Shower every other day. read more

Well today I went for visiting and Ive witnessed the worst of the worst Today...Kern Valley is by far the worst Prison I ever been too ... I seen two young ladies and a Guy come visit somebody today and before They even made it to the back the officers was picking on one of the young ladies being very rude to her making her go back and forth to change her clothes they escorted her outside and told her she had to leave and she refused which I understood why after all that back and fourth for them to just tell her to leave ..a little while later I witnessed them tackle one of the young ladies to the ground and put her in a head lock and the young lady didn't even attack the officer at all then the other young lady begging for them to get off her which I understood why she was so small look like a little kid and one of the officers ran from inside and got in the other young lady face trying to antagonize her to make her react and ended up tackling her to the ground it was just all a horrible and bad experience I feel bad for the young ladies. We are treated like criminals every-time we come see a loved one and its only so much any human can take before they stand up from themselves ...I wanted to be a witness for them I'm just nervous about getting my visits revoke also Ill keep them in my prayers read more

Had visit an inmate here and some guards are nice and some are rude I wear loose clothes and u see people going in with tight clothes like wth they made me change and my pants weren't even tight but u see people going in with tight clothes they need to check those with tight pants . And the guard that's out side controlling the front is hella rude in the morning read more

These people that's on this page is correctional officers lying to make their job seem ok. They're very disrespectful towards visitors and inmates, while in the visiting room. You can tell there's a POWER CONTROL battle going on by how they communicate w/ people. They do not greet you when you come into the facility. And there is always a sense of HARRASSMENT going on no matter what you wear. I have came into visiting w/ loose clothing on, and they still tell me I have to change. I have witnessed them allow who they want to enter w/ clothing that are not allowed. The visiting c/o's are shallow & rude. They look at you as an inmate. They find any way possible to cancel your visit. The prison is horrible at it all, especially customer service. It is a shame how they treat visitors, but even how they treat inmates is MIND BLOWING. Prison is nothing but a modern day Plantation, & the c/o's have their legs kicked up laughing. Sick ppl they are. read more

My son is in KVSP, My heart is heavy. The Associate Warden Steve Henderson personally called me on the phone. I was aware that my son was dying. I live in Arizona. Steve Henderson personally called me and made arrangements for me to come and visit my son. The doctors did not believe he would live through the week end. Steve Henderson had so much compassion for me as well as my son. I had called the prison several times to get my visiting information. Where I could go see my son before he passed. Steve Henderson personally made all the calls that I needed to get to see my son. My contact information so I knew what to do and where to go. I received a call from a leading officer. He informed me that my son was being taken to the hospital. He was calling to give me my contact information. Where I will find out what hospital. I was driving to California at that time. I asked if he could call me back and leave a message on my voice mail as I was driving and could not write the information down. He called right back and left the information. When I called the next morning to get my information. It went very smoothly. The told me they knew who I was and my who my son was. The let me know that had to see what hours I could visit. I mention I was told 10 to 12. They set me up with that. When I got to the hospital. I was treated with respect and compassion. My son did not know I was coming until just before I arrived. He broke down as well as I did. We had a great visit. One of the greatest things my son could have is Officer Lopez who was with him everyday. The officer showed so much compassion. He had the greatest respect for my son and for me. This man should be recognized. It was much better than what I received when I try to find out information about my son. I was told my a nurse in the prison when any thing happens to your son. IF YOUR NAME IS ON HIS LIST. We will call you. I told her I didn't want to wait until my son is dead to see him. I want to see him so I can hold him and tell him how much I love him. I hung up. I call again. I though it was the Warden's office. I had not spoke with it at this point. I was trying to get information about my son. I had spoke to her at another time. I recognized her voice. She said you have called before haven't you. I told her yes I have. She told me the Warden would not have any information about your son. It all goes through Medical. I let her know that I have talked to medical and they said they don't have any information to give to me. This lady replied to me that she will give the person who can giving me any information to contact me. I explained that I have talked to everyone in medical. She than told me I had to realize that this was a prison and my son was an inmate. I said STOP. I know this is a prison, I know my son is an inmate. BUT HE IS MY SON AND HE IS DYING. I hung up again. I felt there was no compassion. Some people in the prison system has compassion and really care about the inmates and away to make life better for them. I don't Condon what my what my son has done. As long as he is a breathing human being he deserves compassion. Thank you Alicia in medical administration, Warden Steve Henderson and Officer Lopez. Thank you for realizing my son is not just an inmate and that he has a mother that loves him. The loss of a child is the worse thing that can happen. But when you can hold your child or know what is happening to him or where he is. It kills you inside. read more

I have visited my son in many, many prisons over the past 20+ years. My visit this past weekend at KVSP was excellent in every way. Without exception, EVERY staff member I encountered was professional, helpful and kind. One of them told me the goal there at KVSP is "EXCELLENCE". While there may be problems inside, one can see that every effort is made to meet their goal when dealing with the visitors. If you will follow the rules and treat the officers with respect, you will have a great visit at KVSP. Let them know they are doing a good job if you feel that way too! A "thank you" just might make someone's day. I am certainly thankful to all of them. read more