Sierra Conservation Center (SCC)
Main Phone: (209) 984-5291
Physical Address: 5100 O’Byrnes Ferry Road, Jamestown, CA 95327 (Directions)
Inmate Mailing Address:
- Inmate Name and CDCR Number
5150 O’Byrnes Ferry Road – Housing #, Jamestown, CA 95327
Staff Mailing Address:
- 5100 O’Byrnes Ferry Road, Jamestown, CA 95327
Media Requests:
Contact the Public Information Officer, Lieutenant R. Jauregui at (209) 984-5291 ext. 5499
Visiting Inmates: learn how to visit inmates in-person or by video at our institutions.
Other Resources: explore family & friends resources, including how to contact or send packages to inmates in our institutions.
Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) is located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in Jamestown California. SCC is minutes away from popular local boating, fishing, hunting, golfing and skiing. Regardless of the season, you will be close to world class outdoor activities. If you enjoy a smaller, rural community, the historic cities of Copperopolis, Jamestown, Angels Camp and Sonora are nearby. The larger cities of Modesto, Turlock and Merced are within an hour drive from SCC.
- Adult Basic Education I, II, & III
- General Equivalency Diploma (GED) Classes
- Physical Fitness Training, Firefighter Training
- Vocational Trades: Auto Body/Fender, Auto Mechanics, Welding, Masonry, Carpentry, Office Services, Electronics, and Building Maintenance
- Volunteer Education Program (Literacy)
- Reimbursable Community Crews, Religious
- Prison Industry Authority (PIA) Textiles (sewing)
- Self-Help Groups (Click on the above volunteer & self-help programs)
- Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT)
- Level I, II, & III Non-Designated Programming Facility (NDPF)
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.
Details
The primary mission of the Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) is to provide housing, programs and services for minimum and medium custody inmates, to aid in their rehabilitation. SCC is one of the two prisons in the State responsible for the training and placement of male inmates in the Conservation Camp Program. SCC administers 16 male camps located from Central California to the southern border.
SCC functions as the center for training staff and inmates in firefighting techniques for the southern portion of California. The institution is separated into two dormitory type facilities for minimum and low-medium custody inmates and one 270 Design Facility with celled housing for high-medium custody inmates.
Each of the 16 Conservation Camps is a self-contained “prison without walls.” The camps are sited in rural or wilderness areas for fire suppression. Inmates assigned to camps are dispatched to fight wild land fires and other emergencies when needed and a variety of community work projects. This results in a tremendous cost savings to tax payers of the State of California.
SCC houses inmates designated by medical as low to medium risk, and identified by the Mental Health Services Delivery System as Correctional Clinical Case Management System or lower. Inmates at SCC are encouraged to attend education programs that include Adult Basic Education, General Educational Development programs, Career Technical Education in Computer Literacy, Building Maintenance, Carpentry, Masonry, Welding, Auto Body Repair, and Auto Mechanics/Engine Repair. A multitude of other voluntary programs that afford the inmates opportunities for self-improvement are available as well to include Alcoholic Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous, Veterans Incarcerated, Freedom and Choice, Victims Impact, Alternatives to Violence, Responsible Fatherhood, Responsible Fatherhood, 12 Steps, Conflict Resolution, Criminals and Gang Anonymous, Self-Awareness and Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, New Professionals, Leadership Development, Art and Healing, and Anger Management, Career Development, Arts Corrections, English as a Second Language, Al Anon, Veterans Support Group, Meditation.
Steve Smith has been acting Warden at Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) in Jamestown since February 2023.
Mr. Smith began his career with CDCR in September 1996 as a Correctional Officer at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP). He transferred to California Men’s Colony (CMC) in September 1997 and promoted to Correctional Sergeant at CMC in October 2000. In March 2004, he was promoted to Correctional Lieutenant at Avenal State Prison (ASP), and in November 2006, he moved laterally to the classification of Correctional Counselor (CC) II, specifically, as the Appeals Coordinator at ASP. He then transferred back to SVSP as a CC II (Appeals Coordinator) in July 2009. In August 2010, he promoted to Facility Captain at CMC. In October 2012, he moved laterally to the classification of CC III and was assigned to the Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP) at CMC. In July 2020, Mr. Smith promoted to Correctional Administrator at SCC. Prior to his acting Warden assignment, he served as Chief Deputy Administrator (CDW) at SCC since December 2021.
Toni Clarke was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Health Care Services at Sierra Conservation Center June 14, 2021. Prior to her appointment she was the Chief Support Executive at Pleasant Valley State Prison from 2012. Toni began her career with the State of California in 1997 in Information Technology as a Staff Information Systems Analyst (SISA) where she fulfilled roles in End User Help Desk, User Support, Project Management and Implementation and Change Management. Her first role with CDCR/CCHCS was at Avenal State Prison as the Correctional Health Services Administrator I (CHSA I). Promoting to CHSA II at Pleasant Valley State Prison in 2010. Toni continued her education and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration and Management.
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.