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 studentsAssist in transitioning from incarceration into higher educationProvide college readiness and general education courses towards earning an Associate of Business or an Associate of Arts degreeCareer 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 EstimatingProvide academic and career advisingConnect 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. Updates Resources News Our Sponsors 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. On May 15th, 2025, ten students at Florence McClure completed the Entry-Level Air-Conditioning Technician Skills Certificate, and three students completed the Tourism, Convention and Event Planning Skills Certificate. Read more about it in this CSN news article: https://news.csn.edu/the-power-of-a-reset-grads-chart-a-new-path-at-florence-mcclure/ On January 29th, 2025, the team from Complete College American came to Florence McClure to highlight the amazing work of the CSN Prison Education Program's HVAC students. On January 21st, 2025 the College of Southern Nevada kicked off its first ever cohort of ten students working to complete the Entry-Level Weld Manufacturing Skills Certificate at High Desert State Prison. Check back for more information on this soon as the program progresses!On December 5th, Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center and the College of Southern Nevada’s Prison Education Program presented: “A Winter Wonderland, Our Story”. This event showcased the talents of students completing work in the Tourism, Convention, and Hospitality Certificate. During the event, eight students also received their skills certificate in Hospitality, Tourism, Convention, and Event Planning. Read more about it in this CSN news article: https://news.csn.edu/hospitality-program-milestone-at-florence-mcclure/Click here to watch the video. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eeM-TKUkJAcwNeH-W-kzh7DXnTYZ4n6f/view Academic CalendarCatalogLas Vegas Foundation for an Independent TomorrowLife Changes, IncHope for PrisonersReEntry ResourcesLas Vegas Community ResourcesWhy Invest in Prison Education?Student ResourcesNorthern Nevada Community Resources 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-opportunitiesDelaney, 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-prisonGentry, 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 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-educationTannenbaum, 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_vignetteTannenbaum, 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-aroundTannenbaum, 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 ProjectSteamatic of Southern NevadaAnonymousBret and Cynthia S. Updates 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. On May 15th, 2025, ten students at Florence McClure completed the Entry-Level Air-Conditioning Technician Skills Certificate, and three students completed the Tourism, Convention and Event Planning Skills Certificate. Read more about it in this CSN news article: https://news.csn.edu/the-power-of-a-reset-grads-chart-a-new-path-at-florence-mcclure/ On January 29th, 2025, the team from Complete College American came to Florence McClure to highlight the amazing work of the CSN Prison Education Program's HVAC students. On January 21st, 2025 the College of Southern Nevada kicked off its first ever cohort of ten students working to complete the Entry-Level Weld Manufacturing Skills Certificate at High Desert State Prison. Check back for more information on this soon as the program progresses!On December 5th, Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center and the College of Southern Nevada’s Prison Education Program presented: “A Winter Wonderland, Our Story”. This event showcased the talents of students completing work in the Tourism, Convention, and Hospitality Certificate. During the event, eight students also received their skills certificate in Hospitality, Tourism, Convention, and Event Planning. Read more about it in this CSN news article: https://news.csn.edu/hospitality-program-milestone-at-florence-mcclure/Click here to watch the video. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eeM-TKUkJAcwNeH-W-kzh7DXnTYZ4n6f/view Resources Academic CalendarCatalogLas Vegas Foundation for an Independent TomorrowLife Changes, IncHope for PrisonersReEntry ResourcesLas Vegas Community ResourcesWhy Invest in Prison Education?Student ResourcesNorthern Nevada Community Resources News 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-opportunitiesDelaney, 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-prisonGentry, 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 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-educationTannenbaum, 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_vignetteTannenbaum, 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-aroundTannenbaum, 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 Our Sponsors The Nevada Prison Education ProjectSteamatic of Southern NevadaAnonymousBret and Cynthia S. 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 Jean Conservation Camp houses up to 240 minimum custody female inmates and has approximately 18 staff members. They provide training programs for various conservation and community assistance projects including wildland fire suppression and highway cleanup. They are located at 3 Prison Road, Jean, NV 89019 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.