North Kern State Prison (NKSP)
Main Phone: (661) 721-2345
Physical Address: 2737 West Cecil Avenue, Delano, CA 93215 (Directions)
- Institution: P.O. Box 567, Delano, CA 93216-0567
- Inmates (include Inmate’s name and CDCR number as well as last known housing):
- Facility A and M, P.O. Box 5000, Delano, CA 93216-0567
- Facility B, P.O. Box 4999, Delano, CA 93216-0567
- Facility C, P.O. Box 5004, Delano, CA 93216-0567
- Facility D, P.O. Box 5005, Delano, CA 93216-0567
Visiting an incarcerated person: learn how to visit an incarcerated person at our institutions.
Other Resources: explore family & friends resources, including how to contact or send packages to those incarcerated in our institutions.
- PIA: Health Care Facility Maintenance
- Vocational: Small Engine Repair, Electrical Work
- Academic: Adult Basic Education, High School/GED, English as a Second Language Bridging Education
- Other: Religious Services, Self Help Groups, Substance Abuse Program
DRP Programs
Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT)–Overview
On January 21, 2020, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) implemented ISUDT. ISUDT is a comprehensive and evidence-based cross-divisional program with pathways to treatment through DRP Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI) programs referred to as:
CBI-Intensive Outpatient (Medical Classification T1, SOMS assignment code ISI) 2-hours/day, 5-days/week, 52-weeks completion
CBI-Outpatient (Medical Classification T2, SOMS assignment code ISO) 2-hours/day, 3-days/week, 14-weeks completion
CBI-Life Skills (Medical Classification T3, SOMS assignment code CB2) 2-hours/day, 3-days/week, 29-weeks completion
All participants will be assessed by medical and referred to one of the CBI classes.
Family Liaison Service Specialist
CDCR provides through a contract with a community-based organization an on-site Case Manager as a family reunification liaison for inmates and family members, to assist with an inmates pre-release preparation; and conduct Parenting and Creative Conflict Resolution classes for inmates. Please call the Institution to contact the Family Reunification Liaison.
North Kern State Prison is located in the city of Delano. Also known as the Diamond of the Golden Empire, Delano is located in the Kern County-Bakersfield metropolitan area, and has grown to become the second largest city in Kern County. Strategically situated along Freeway 99 and well connected to surrounding communities, the city has experienced unprecedented growth. The area is particularly well known as a center for the growing of table grapes.
Details
NKSP has a general population medium custody facility and a minimum support facility with a ten-bed Level I firehouse. The general population portion of the institution focuses on providing educational/vocational opportunities to inmates equipping them with skills which will aid them in finding gainful employment upon their release from prison.
The Reception Center currently processes incoming inmates usually within a 90 day period. After compiling the inmate’s criminal records, life histories, medical and psychological histories, and social relationships, NKSP staff determines the inmate’s classification score and institutional placement.
NKSP is also the site where the Central / Southern California Transportation Hub for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is located and operates from.
History
On October 7, 1994, the adult education facility was dedicated in the memory of Marie Keroack Romero, a prison teacher who was murdered at a California Youth Authority facility in 1975.
Three hundred and sixty acres of NKSP property has been designated as protected wildlife habitat for the Blunt-Nosed Leopard lizard, San Joaquin kit fox, and the Tipton kangaroo Rat. The facility is an exact replica of its closest neighbor, Wasco State Prison-Reception Center.
On October 22, 2012 a 5.7 megawatt Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant was activated. An estimated 13.3 million dollars savings over the next 20 year is projected. The solar deployment will offset nearly 1 billion pounds of carbon dioxide over 20 years. The system and panels produce no noise and zero greenhouse emissions.
Juan Bugarin has been acting Warden at North Kern State Prison since May 2026.
Bugarin earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology with an emphasis in corrections from California State University, Fresno in 2009.
He began his career with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in January 2006 as a correctional officer at Corcoran State Prison. During his career, he has promoted through the ranks, serving as correctional counselor, correctional counselor II specialist, correctional counselor II supervisor, classification and parole representative, correctional captain, associate warden and chief deputy warden.
In May 2026, he was appointed acting warden at North Kern State Prison, where he oversees institutional operations and is committed to maintaining a safe, secure and rehabilitative environment for staff, incarcerated individuals and the community.
Outside of work, he has spent many years coaching youth tackle football, mentoring young athletes and emphasizing teamwork, discipline and character development. He is committed to developing staff, fostering collaboration and supporting professional growth while advancing CDCR’s mission of safety, rehabilitation and successful reentry.
John Munger was appointed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of North Kern State Prison effective July 2026.
Munger has over 30 years of leadership experience spanning military, corrections and healthcare administration.
A military veteran, Munger served in both the U.S. Navy, where he was selected for the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Support Team, and the U.S. Army, where he attended Officer Candidate School and served as a combat operations officer. He left the military in 2006 with distinguished honors.
He began his career with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 2006 attending Basic Correctional Officer Academy followed by an assignment at Calipatria State Prison. He moved through the ranks as correctional officer, correctional sergeant, procurement and services officer II, correctional health services administrator I and chief support executive.
Munger served as acting CEO at Centinela State Prison from February 2023 to March 2026.
His academic credentials include formal education from St. Petersburg College, Florida State University and American Military University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in health administration with a minor in business and is currently completing his master’s degree in health administration.
Local Inmate Family Councils (IFC’s) are a gathering of family and friends of the incarcerated who meet regularly with Wardens to support visiting since keeping strong family connections with loved ones is a powerful rehabilitative tool. These IFC’s promote visiting by clarifying rules and regulations as well as discussing health, education, vocational training, packages, books, and related issues. For more information on connecting with a local IFC, please visit the Statewide IFC website.