Wasco State Prison – Reception Center (WSP)
701 Scofield Avenue, Wasco, CA 93280, (661) 758-8400
Wasco is a well-known reception center prison because it is where many inmates are first sent for processing before being placed in a more permanent prison. At Wasco, inmates are evaluated physically and mentally, to determine their security level, program requirements (i.e. AA, NA, anger management, medical needs, etc.) and then an appropriate placement location.
CA State Prison Wasco
Wasco was built in 1991. It houses approximately 5,230 inmates, which is roughly 1.7 times its design capacity of 2,984. Wasco is located in Kern County, about 140 miles north of Los Angeles. It is about 20 miles north of Bakersfield. The layout of the prison is an exact replica of the North Kern State Prison in Delano.