Wasco State Prison‑Reception Center (WSP)
Main Phone: (661) 758-8400
Physical Address: 701 Scofield Avenue, Wasco, CA 93280 (Directions)
- Institution: 701 Scofield Avenue, P.O. Box 8800, Wasco, CA 93280
- Inmates (make sure to include Inmate’s Name and CDCR number as well as last known housing):
- Facility A, 701 Scofield Ave.,P.O. Box 4400, Wasco, CA 93280
- Facility B, 701 Scofield Ave.,P.O. Box 5500, Wasco, CA 93280
- Facility C, 701 Scofield Ave.,P.O. Box 6600, Wasco, CA 93280
- Facility D, 701 Scofield Ave.,P.O. Box 7700, Wasco, CA 93280
- Facility E, 701 Scofield Ave.,P.O. Box 3300, Wasco, CA 93280
- Facility H, 701 Scofield Ave.,P.O. Box 9900, Wasco, CA 93280
Learn about contacting, visiting, and corresponding with inmates and juveniles who are in our institutions.
PIA
Laundry & Farm Enterprise; Pre-Release; AA/NA; Visiting; Slow Down/Despacio – a Youth Diversion Program; Religious; Friends Outside; TABE (Testing of Adult Basic Education); GED; Libraries; Physical Education/Recreation; Vocational Electronics, and Office Services and related technology; Fire Department – consists of 8 inmate firefighter positions; Independent Study Program – Coast Line Community College; Correctional Learning Network; Breaking Barriers-A Cognitive awareness Model, Starting August 2010- Batterer’s Intervention which will encompass Anger Management; Parenting Education and Creative Conflict Resolution.
DRP PROGRAMS
CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs offers a wide range of programs for inmates. Check to see which programs are offered at this institution.
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.
Once known as the “Rose Capital of the World”, Wasco is still home to a booming agricultural community. Wasco is a small city with approximately 25,000 residents. Located in Kern County, Wasco is one of the most affordable areas in the state. Bakersfield is the nearest big city, about a half hour’s drive. A short two hour drive will take you to the Pacific Ocean beaches, the giant redwoods in the Sequoia Mountains, Paso Robles Wine Country, and America’s second largest city, Los Angeles.
Details
A 1,000-bed medium custody facility houses general population inmates to help support and maintain the 4,580-bed reception center. A minimum custody facility provides institutional maintenance and landscaping services.
Christian Pfeiffer has been warden or acting warden of Wasco State Prison – Reception Center since May 27, 2024, and Warden of Kern Valley State Prison from 2015 to 2024.
He held multiple positions at Kern Valley State Prison from 2012 to 2015, including Chief Deputy Warden and Correctional Administrator.
He was the Classification and Paroles Representative at Wasco State Prison – Reception Center from 2008 to 2012.
Prior to 2008, he held numerous positions at Kern Valley State Prison, California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran, and Regional Accounting Office- Corcoran. The positions include Correctional Counselor I, Correctional Counselor II and Accounting Officer and Accountant Trainee.
Penny Shank began her career with CDCR in 2000 and has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Wasco State Prison-Reception Center since Sept. 1, 2023.
She previously served as the Chief Executive Officer at California City Correctional Facility since May 2017.
Prior to that, Penny was the CEO at California State Prison–Los Angeles County for five years, where she also held positions as the Food Administrator I, Correctional Health Services Administrator II, and Chief Support Executive.
Penny is also a Registered Dietitian. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s Degree from Bowling Green State University.
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.