Pleasant Valley State Prison

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Pleasant Valley State Prison, or PVSP, is a minimum/medium security state prison in California, USA. Located in Coalinga, Fresno County, it opened in November 1994. The facility houses famous convicted murderer Erik Menendez. The current warden is James A. Yates.

[edit] Institution Details

On July 17, 2000, PVSP activated two substance abuse programs involving community services for inmates who have a history of substance abuse. PVSP recently converted one of its general population yards into a sensitive needs yard (SNY), and now houses approximately 900 SNY inmates.

Visiting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and the holidays of New Year's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving.

PVSP comprises 640 acres (2.6 km²). As of fiscal year 2002-2003, the following statistics apply:

**Designed Bedspace & Count**
Facility Level	Design Capacity	Count
I	208	287
III	2,000	4,602
Total	2,208	4,889

**Statistical Metrics**
Metric	Number
Number of custody staff:	660
Number of support services staff:	420
Total number of staff:	1,080
Annual operating budget:	$109 million

[edit] Inmate programs

PIA: None
Vocational: Air conditioning and refrigeration, auto body, auto detail, auto mechanics, auto paint, building maintenance, carpentry, computer repair, consumer electronics, dry cleaning, drywall, electrical work, janitorial, landscape and gardening, machine shop, masonry, mill and cabinetry, office services, small engine repair, plumbing, welding.
Academic: Adult Basic Education, High School/GED, Pre-Release, English as a Second Language, Literacy Program.
Other: Community Service Crews, Religious, Arts-in-Corrections, Computers for Schools.