CSN’s Prison Education Program offers incarcerated students a transformative opportunity to pursue higher education. As part of CSN’s commitment to social justice and educational equity, students can enroll in college courses, earn certificates and degrees, all while accessing academic and career counseling. The program features a supportive learning community among students, faculty, and staff focused on student development and reducing recidivism.
About Us
CSN Prison Education provides southern Nevada’s incarcerated students with college access to enhance their knowledge and skills in critical-thinking, problem-solving, and work-readiness.
What We Do
- Provide educational opportunities to increase employability for incarcerated students
- Assist in transitioning from incarceration into higher education
- Provide college readiness and general education courses towards earning an Associate of Business or an Associate of Arts degree
- Career and technical education training in high demand career fields including Tourism, Convention, and Event Planning, the Culinary Arts, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, Welding, and Construction Estimating
- Provide academic and career advising
- Connect students to community re-entry programs
CSN Prison Education Goals
- Reduce recidivism and improve quality of life for the individual, their families, and the wider community
How to Get Involved
The CSN Prison Education Program is open to housing units designated by each facility. Prospective students must contact their caseworker for more information on how to register for college classes through CSN’s Prison Education Program. Students must apply and register themselves directly through CSN. Students cannot enroll by phone or by proxy.
During the week of May 18th, the CSN Prison Education Program hosted two completion ceremonies. On May 19th, we celebrated eight students who earned the Construction Estimating Skills Certificate at Three Lakes Valley Conservation Camp, and on May 22nd, we celebrated eight students who earned the HVAC Skills Certificate and our programs very first Associate of Arts Degree graduate at Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center. Read more about it in this CSN news article: https://news.csn.edu/prison-education-program-celebrates-graduates-across-two-ceremonies/
During the week of December 15th, the CSN Prison Education Program hosted two completion ceremonies in one semester, a record for our students! On December 16th, we celebrated seven students who earned the Welding Skills Certificate at High Desert State Prison, and on December 18th, we celebrated six students who earned the Culinary Arts Skills Certificate at Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center. Read more about it in this CSN news article: https://news.csn.edu/csn-celebrates-culinary-and-welding-graduates-in-milestone-prison-ed-ceremonies/
On November 7, 2025, the Prison Education Program hosted its first in person Mixer and Panel Discussion with NDOC Warden William Reubart, Criminal Justice Instructor Christina Aberle, English Instructor Dr. Askia Talib-deen, HVAC instructor Spencer Dunwoody, and Prison Education Manager Dr. Genevieve Minter. This Q&A-style panel pulled back the curtain on what it’s really like to teach college courses inside correctional facilities, and panelists talked openly about the challenges, wins, and the moments when a student’s breakthrough makes the entire job worth it.
View the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9KIDUtnkzs
On August 14, 2025, Dr. Genevieve Minter, Manager of CSN’s Prison Education Program, joined Governor Joe Lombardo for a private tour of the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center, highlighting the life-changing educational opportunities taking place inside.
We are grateful to James Dzurenda, Director of the Nevada Department of Corrections, his assistant, Danyele Madsen, Warden William Reubart, his assistant Jessica Sapon-Orozco, and especially to Missy Young, Senior Fellow and former CIO at Switch, for her steadfast support and advocacy for second chances.
Arline, Trey. (2017, April 6). Books behind bars. Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada. https://coyotestudentnews.com/2017/04/05/books-behind-bars/
Atkinson, Estelle. (2024, September 21). "“Doing guy stuff”: Inmates at Nevada women’s prison embrace job-training program. Las Vegas Review Journal.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-nevada/doing-guy-stuff-inmates-at-nevada-womens-prison-embrace-job-training-program-3174272/
Atkinson, Estelle. (2024, December 11). Inmates at Nevada’s women’s prison walk stage in “winter wonderland” graduation ceremony. Las Vegas Review Journal. https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/inmates-at-nevadas-womens-prison-walk-stage-in-winter-wonderland-graduation-ceremony-3224913/
Bruzda, Natalie (2018, June 14). Las Vegas women’s jail program celebrates 1st graduating class. Las Vegas Review Journal. https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/education/las-vegas-womens-jail-program-celebrates-1st-graduating-class/
Cervantes, Kesler. (2020, March 19). To be free again. Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada. https://coyotestudentnews.com/2020/03/19/to-be-free-again/
Chesin, Michaela, and Arline, Trey. (2019, June 30). A second chance: Prisoners thrive in program designed to open up job opportunities. The Nevada Independent. https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/a-second-chance-prisoners-thrive-in-program-designed-to-help-job-opportunities
Delaney, Meghin. (2019, July 18). CSN, NSHE celebrate completers of Prison Education Program. Nevada System of Higher Education. https://nshe.nevada.edu/system-administration/news/2019/07/csn-nshe-celebrate-completers-of-prison-education-program/
Earle, Chris. (2022, May 3). Advocating for higher education in prison. University of Nevada, Reno. https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/blogs/2022/advocating-for-higher-ed-in-prison
Gentry, Dana (2019, February 19). Hope for Prisoners touts “game changer” for state, offenders. Nevada Current. https://nevadacurrent.com/2019/02/19/hope-for-prisoners-touts-game-changer-for-state-offenders/
Laessig, Jessica. (2025, April 21). CSN prison education program celebrates grads. College of Southern Nevada. https://news.csn.edu/csn-culinary-students-graduate-from-nv-department-of-corrections/
Laessig, Jessica. (2025, May 17). The power of a reset: Grads chart a new path at Florence McClure. College of Southern Nevada. https://news.csn.edu/the-power-of-a-reset-grads-chart-a-new-path-at-florence-mcclure/
Laessig, Jessica and Goebel, Steve. (2025, December 18). Culinary and Welding Milestone Prison Ed Ceremonies. College of Southern Nevada. https://news.csn.edu/csn-celebrates-culinary-and-welding-graduates-in-milestone-prison-ed-ceremonies/
Laessig, Jessica, and Requenez, Kimberlee. (2025, November 17). Real Talk on Prison Education at CSN. College of Southern Nevada. https://news.csn.edu/real-talk-on-prison-education-at-csn/
Lyle, Michael. (2018, June 14). Second chances: Prison program connects inmates to education. Nevada Current. https://nevadacurrent.com/2018/06/14/second-chances-prison-program-connects-inmates-to-education/
Tannenbaum, Guy. (2024, November 17). Prison educators share their experiences at UNLV’s Summit on Nevada Education. Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. https://www.ktnv.com/news/prison-educators-share-their-experiences-at-unlvs-summit-on-nevada-education
Tannenbaum, Guy. (2024, December 9). Inmates take a second chance on themselves through education programs. Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. https://www.ktnv.com/news/inmates-take-a-second-chance-on-themselves-through-education-programs#google_vignette
Tannenbaum, Nathan. (2025, June 6). What’s cool at school? – a graduation ceremony for women turning their lives around. Channel 8 Las Vegas News KLAS. https://www.8newsnow.com/community/cool-at-school-segment/whats-cool-at-school-a-graduation-ceremony-for-women-turning-their-lives-around
Tannenbaum, Nathan. (2025, July 4). What’s cool at school? – meet some of the prison inmates who graduated from CSN while still incarcerated. Channel 8 Las Vegas News KLAS. https://www.8newsnow.com/community/cool-at-school-segment/whats-cool-at-school-meet-some-of-the-prison-inmates-who-graduated-from-csn-while-still-incarcerated/
Wright, Jarah. (2025, May 16). College of Southern Nevada, Ndoc celebrate inmates’ academic achievements. Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. https://www.ktnv.com/news/college-of-southern-nevada-ndoc-celebrate-inmates-academic-achievements#google_vignette
The Nevada Prison Education Project
Steamatic of Southern Nevada
Anonymous
Bret and Cynthia S.
Sponsored Investments Inc.
During the week of May 18th, the CSN Prison Education Program hosted two completion ceremonies. On May 19th, we celebrated eight students who earned the Construction Estimating Skills Certificate at Three Lakes Valley Conservation Camp, and on May 22nd, we celebrated eight students who earned the HVAC Skills Certificate and our programs very first Associate of Arts Degree graduate at Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center. Read more about it in this CSN news article: https://news.csn.edu/prison-education-program-celebrates-graduates-across-two-ceremonies/
During the week of December 15th, the CSN Prison Education Program hosted two completion ceremonies in one semester, a record for our students! On December 16th, we celebrated seven students who earned the Welding Skills Certificate at High Desert State Prison, and on December 18th, we celebrated six students who earned the Culinary Arts Skills Certificate at Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center. Read more about it in this CSN news article: https://news.csn.edu/csn-celebrates-culinary-and-welding-graduates-in-milestone-prison-ed-ceremonies/
On November 7, 2025, the Prison Education Program hosted its first in person Mixer and Panel Discussion with NDOC Warden William Reubart, Criminal Justice Instructor Christina Aberle, English Instructor Dr. Askia Talib-deen, HVAC instructor Spencer Dunwoody, and Prison Education Manager Dr. Genevieve Minter. This Q&A-style panel pulled back the curtain on what it’s really like to teach college courses inside correctional facilities, and panelists talked openly about the challenges, wins, and the moments when a student’s breakthrough makes the entire job worth it.
View the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9KIDUtnkzs
On August 14, 2025, Dr. Genevieve Minter, Manager of CSN’s Prison Education Program, joined Governor Joe Lombardo for a private tour of the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center, highlighting the life-changing educational opportunities taking place inside.
We are grateful to James Dzurenda, Director of the Nevada Department of Corrections, his assistant, Danyele Madsen, Warden William Reubart, his assistant Jessica Sapon-Orozco, and especially to Missy Young, Senior Fellow and former CIO at Switch, for her steadfast support and advocacy for second chances.
Arline, Trey. (2017, April 6). Books behind bars. Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada. https://coyotestudentnews.com/2017/04/05/books-behind-bars/
Atkinson, Estelle. (2024, September 21). "“Doing guy stuff”: Inmates at Nevada women’s prison embrace job-training program. Las Vegas Review Journal.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-nevada/doing-guy-stuff-inmates-at-nevada-womens-prison-embrace-job-training-program-3174272/
Atkinson, Estelle. (2024, December 11). Inmates at Nevada’s women’s prison walk stage in “winter wonderland” graduation ceremony. Las Vegas Review Journal. https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/inmates-at-nevadas-womens-prison-walk-stage-in-winter-wonderland-graduation-ceremony-3224913/
Bruzda, Natalie (2018, June 14). Las Vegas women’s jail program celebrates 1st graduating class. Las Vegas Review Journal. https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/education/las-vegas-womens-jail-program-celebrates-1st-graduating-class/
Cervantes, Kesler. (2020, March 19). To be free again. Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada. https://coyotestudentnews.com/2020/03/19/to-be-free-again/
Chesin, Michaela, and Arline, Trey. (2019, June 30). A second chance: Prisoners thrive in program designed to open up job opportunities. The Nevada Independent. https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/a-second-chance-prisoners-thrive-in-program-designed-to-help-job-opportunities
Delaney, Meghin. (2019, July 18). CSN, NSHE celebrate completers of Prison Education Program. Nevada System of Higher Education. https://nshe.nevada.edu/system-administration/news/2019/07/csn-nshe-celebrate-completers-of-prison-education-program/
Earle, Chris. (2022, May 3). Advocating for higher education in prison. University of Nevada, Reno. https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/blogs/2022/advocating-for-higher-ed-in-prison
Gentry, Dana (2019, February 19). Hope for Prisoners touts “game changer” for state, offenders. Nevada Current. https://nevadacurrent.com/2019/02/19/hope-for-prisoners-touts-game-changer-for-state-offenders/
Laessig, Jessica. (2025, April 21). CSN prison education program celebrates grads. College of Southern Nevada. https://news.csn.edu/csn-culinary-students-graduate-from-nv-department-of-corrections/
Laessig, Jessica. (2025, May 17). The power of a reset: Grads chart a new path at Florence McClure. College of Southern Nevada. https://news.csn.edu/the-power-of-a-reset-grads-chart-a-new-path-at-florence-mcclure/
Laessig, Jessica and Goebel, Steve. (2025, December 18). Culinary and Welding Milestone Prison Ed Ceremonies. College of Southern Nevada. https://news.csn.edu/csn-celebrates-culinary-and-welding-graduates-in-milestone-prison-ed-ceremonies/
Laessig, Jessica, and Requenez, Kimberlee. (2025, November 17). Real Talk on Prison Education at CSN. College of Southern Nevada. https://news.csn.edu/real-talk-on-prison-education-at-csn/
Lyle, Michael. (2018, June 14). Second chances: Prison program connects inmates to education. Nevada Current. https://nevadacurrent.com/2018/06/14/second-chances-prison-program-connects-inmates-to-education/
Tannenbaum, Guy. (2024, November 17). Prison educators share their experiences at UNLV’s Summit on Nevada Education. Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. https://www.ktnv.com/news/prison-educators-share-their-experiences-at-unlvs-summit-on-nevada-education
Tannenbaum, Guy. (2024, December 9). Inmates take a second chance on themselves through education programs. Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. https://www.ktnv.com/news/inmates-take-a-second-chance-on-themselves-through-education-programs#google_vignette
Tannenbaum, Nathan. (2025, June 6). What’s cool at school? – a graduation ceremony for women turning their lives around. Channel 8 Las Vegas News KLAS. https://www.8newsnow.com/community/cool-at-school-segment/whats-cool-at-school-a-graduation-ceremony-for-women-turning-their-lives-around
Tannenbaum, Nathan. (2025, July 4). What’s cool at school? – meet some of the prison inmates who graduated from CSN while still incarcerated. Channel 8 Las Vegas News KLAS. https://www.8newsnow.com/community/cool-at-school-segment/whats-cool-at-school-meet-some-of-the-prison-inmates-who-graduated-from-csn-while-still-incarcerated/
Wright, Jarah. (2025, May 16). College of Southern Nevada, Ndoc celebrate inmates’ academic achievements. Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. https://www.ktnv.com/news/college-of-southern-nevada-ndoc-celebrate-inmates-academic-achievements#google_vignette
The Nevada Prison Education Project
Steamatic of Southern Nevada
Anonymous
Bret and Cynthia S.
Sponsored Investments Inc.
Locations
Casa Grande Transitional Housing Center houses up to 400 residents who are actively working to re-enter society by securing work and housing. They are located at 3955 W Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118
Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center is a medium-to-maximum security women’s prison that houses up to 950 inmates and has approximately 171 staff members. They are located at 4370 Smiley Road, Las Vegas, NV 89115
High Desert State Prison is a medium-to-maximum security men’s prison that houses up to 4,176 inmates and has approximately 494 staff members. They are located at 22010 Cold Creek Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89166
Southern Desert Correctional Center is a minimum-security men’s prison that houses up to 2,149 inmates and has approximately 268 staff members. They are located at 20825 Cold Creek Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89166
Three Lakes Valley Conservation Camp houses up to 192 minimum custody male inmates and has approximately 18 staff members. They supply inmates to the Nevada Division of Forestry for work projects such as roadside litter removal, landscape beautification, and fighting wildfires. They are located at 20825 Cold Creek Rd, Indian Springs, NV 89070.
