Family Rights and Advocacy in Nevada | InmateAid
Nevada is a state where the families of incarcerated people organized and won. In 2023, a family-led advocacy group called Return Strong helped pass a package of reforms: Senate Bill 307 restricted solitary confinement (no more than the "least restrictive manner" for the "shortest period safely possible," with a multidisciplinary review after 15 consecutive days). Assembly Bill 452 created an independent prison ombudsman and required prisons to give families at least 72 hours notice before canceling a visit. Assembly Bill 292 expanded medical and behavioral health services for incarcerated women. A separate fines-and-fees reform eliminated medical copays, which advocates estimated saves Nevada families about $1.1 million a year.
That is real, named, documented progress, and it happened because family members refused to be quiet. Return Strong (returnstrong.org), founded by Jodi Hocking, is the central family advocacy organization in Nevada and the place to start if you have a loved one in the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC).
The fights are not over. Advocates have raised concerns that the AB 452 ombudsman position was slow to be filled and publicized. NDOC has pushed to restrict and digitize physical mail. Commissary markups and medical costs continue to fall hardest on families. And Return Strong is suing NDOC over deaths in custody tied to inadequate medical care.
NDOC operates roughly 10,000 incarcerated people across the state. Family Services Division: doc.nv.gov/Inmates/Family_Services_Division. Phone and messaging run through ViaPath/ConnectNetwork and GettingOut.
What Families Are Facing in Nevada
NDOC facilities are split between the Las Vegas area (south) and the Reno/Carson City area (north), with the maximum-security prison in extremely remote eastern Nevada.
Major facilities:
- High Desert State Prison (HDSP) -- Indian Springs, Clark County (about 45 minutes north of Las Vegas; the largest facility)
- Southern Desert Correctional Center (SDCC) -- Indian Springs, Clark County
- Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center -- Las Vegas, Clark County (primary women's facility)
- Ely State Prison (ESP) -- Ely, White Pine County (maximum security; death row; extremely remote northeastern Nevada -- roughly 4 hours from Las Vegas and 4.5 hours from Reno)
- Lovelock Correctional Center (LCC) -- Lovelock, Pershing County (north-central Nevada)
- Northern Nevada Correctional Center (NNCC) -- Carson City
- Warm Springs Correctional Center -- Carson City
Ely State Prison is one of the most isolated facilities in the country -- a 4-hour-plus drive from either of Nevada's population centers, through high desert with little between towns. For families of people at Ely, phone and tablet contact is often the only realistic connection. NDOC has also transferred some Nevada prisoners out of state (Idaho), which families have said improved some conditions but added distance.
On phone: ViaPath/ConnectNetwork. AdvancePay prepaid accounts, collect calls (subject to a 90-day rolling spending limit and monthly fees), or inmate debit purchased from the NDOC Trust account. Set up at ConnectNetwork.com.
On messaging: GettingOut.com -- messaging, photos, 30-second video clips, and video visits. Add the offender and wait for them to accept before you can message.
On mail: NDOC Secure Mail is transitioning to Corrlinks.com. Messages you send through that system are one-way -- the incarcerated person cannot reply by email; your message is printed and delivered at regular mail call. NDOC has pushed to restrict colored paper, greeting cards, and drawings (citing drug-soaked mail) and to digitize more incoming mail. Confirm current physical-mail rules before sending.
On money: Access Corrections (credit/debit, or by phone at 1-800-546-6283) or Lockbox deposit coupons with a cashier's check or money order. Funds from money orders and cashier's checks received directly by NDOC are held for 14 calendar days before becoming available.
Your Rights as a Family Member in Nevada
Visitation rights
Visiting room hours are generally 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Schedules vary by facility, custody level, and housing unit, often rotating weekly. Always confirm before traveling.
To visit:
1. The incarcerated person must add you to their approved visitor list
2. Non-immediate family members typically undergo a background check (renewed about every three years)
3. Approval notices are sent by mail or email; processing times vary
4. Once approved, schedule a visit at ndocvisitation.com or by phone
5. Bring a current government-issued photo ID; arrive 15-30 minutes early; expect security screening
Thanks to AB 452, NDOC must now give families **at least 72 hours notice before canceling a visit** -- a protection won by Return Strong after years of visits being canceled on short notice due to staffing shortages.
Subscribe to visitation notifications at ndocvisitation.com to get facility-specific updates.
Communication rights
Phone: ViaPath/ConnectNetwork. Set up AdvancePay at ConnectNetwork.com. Calls may be limited in length, hours, and number, and can be monitored or recorded. Specific numbers can be blocked, and phone privileges can be suspended for disciplinary or security reasons.
Messaging and video: GettingOut.com. Add the offender, wait for acceptance, deposit funds, then message or schedule a video visit.
All calls are recorded except legal calls to attorneys.
Notification rights
NDOC is not required to notify family of transfers. Use the NDOC Offender Search at doc.nv.gov to find your loved one's current facility. NDOC notifies next of kin for serious medical emergencies and deaths.
NDOC's Family Services Division provides general information and helps families navigate procedures -- but it cannot make or change decisions about housing, medical care, merit credits, or release dates.
Grievance rights
Internal NDOC grievances must be filed by the incarcerated person. Family members cannot file internal grievances directly.
External pathways for families:
- NDOC Family Services Division: doc.nv.gov/Inmates/Family_Services_Division
- **NDOC Ombudsman** (created by AB 452): independent oversight of the prison system -- contact through doc.nv.gov
- **Inspector General's Office**: investigates misconduct; advocates have directed urgent safety concerns here when the ombudsman was unavailable
- Return Strong: returnstrong.org
- ACLU of Nevada: aclunv.org | 702-366-1226
- Your Nevada state legislators at leg.state.nv.us
The Independent Ombudsman (AB 452)
Assembly Bill 452, co-presented by Return Strong and NDOC, created an **independent prison ombudsman** to provide oversight of the Nevada prison system. During the bill's hearing, NDOC's director noted that states with independent oversight show a reduction in litigation.
This matters for families because an independent ombudsman is supposed to be a place to bring concerns about conditions, safety, and treatment that sits outside NDOC's own chain of command.
Important caveat: at a December 2024 Board of Prison Commissioners meeting, an advocate reported that the ombudsman position appeared to be unfilled or unpublicized -- NDOC staff and administration reportedly did not have information about it, and an urgent safety concern (a person at Ely whose life was being threatened) had to be routed to the Inspector General's office instead. Verify the current status and contact information for the NDOC ombudsman at doc.nv.gov before relying on it. If you cannot reach the ombudsman and the matter is urgent, the Inspector General's office is the alternative.
AB 452 also created the 72-hour visit-cancellation notice requirement.
Nevada Family Advocacy Organizations
Return Strong
returnstrong.org
Return Strong is the central family-led prison advocacy organization in Nevada. Founded by Jodi Hocking, its membership includes family members of incarcerated people. What Return Strong has done:
- Co-presented AB 452 (independent ombudsman + 72-hour visit notice)
- Helped pass SB 307 (solitary confinement restrictions), which Hocking called "a phenomenal bill that made historical strides"
- Partnered with the Fines and Fees Justice Center on research documenting the cost of incarceration to Nevada families
- Filed litigation against NDOC over deaths in custody tied to inadequate medical care
- Regularly testifies at the Board of Prison Commissioners and the Legislature
For Nevada families who want to connect with others going through the same thing and engage in advocacy that has demonstrably changed state law, Return Strong is the organization.
Prison Families Alliance
prisonfamiliesalliance.org
A Southern Nevada support group for people who have loved ones involved in the prison system (incarcerated, parole, or probation). They maintain a frequently used resource list for Nevada families covering legal aid, reentry, transportation, and support services.
Fines and Fees Justice Center (FFJC) -- Nevada
finesandfeesjusticecenter.org
FFJC's Nevada office (Deputy Director Nick Shepack) researches and fights the financial burden of incarceration on families. Their work documented the commissary markups, medical copays, and equipment fees that fall on families, and helped drive the elimination of medical copays -- saving families an estimated $1.1 million per year. For families burdened by the costs of incarceration, FFJC is the organization documenting and fighting those costs.
ACLU of Nevada
aclunv.org
Phone: 702-366-1226
Civil rights litigation including prisoner rights. Participated in the legislative reform process. For systemic conditions issues, constitutional violations, or documented patterns of abuse. Does not take individual grievance cases routinely.
Hope for Prisoners
hopeforprisoners.org
A reentry and reintegration organization for people exiting the justice system in Nevada, with vocational training and a partnership with Las Vegas Metro Police. For families preparing for a loved one's release.
Prisoner Rights Organizations Families Can Contact on Their Loved One's Behalf
Return Strong
returnstrong.org
For conditions of confinement, deaths in custody, medical neglect, and solitary confinement issues. Return Strong is actively litigating against NDOC and has the most direct family-advocacy expertise in the state.
ACLU of Nevada
aclunv.org | 702-366-1226
Civil rights litigation. For constitutional violations, conditions, or documented abuse.
The Innocence Center of Nevada (ICON)
innocencenv.org
For families who believe their loved one was wrongfully convicted. ICON works to discover evidence to exonerate the wrongfully convicted and reform the system to prevent future injustice.
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada
lacsn.org
Phone: 702-386-1070
Free civil legal services for low-income residents of Southern Nevada. Can assist with civil matters related to incarceration and provide referrals.
Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC)
humanrightsdefensecenter.org
Phone (for family members): 561-360-2523
HRDC advocates on prison communication costs, mail digitization, and publications access. NDOC's mail transition to Corrlinks and its push to digitize colored mail are exactly the kinds of policies HRDC monitors nationally. Family members can contact directly.
The Cost of Incarceration: What Nevada Families Should Know
Research by the Fines and Fees Justice Center and Return Strong documented how heavily the cost of incarceration falls on Nevada families:
- NDOC applies a roughly 66 percent markup on most commissary items, including necessities like tampons, menstrual pads, denture adhesive, and food
- NDOC receives a 20 percent kickback on bulk package sales and 10 percent on MP3 song purchases
- NDOC has netted an average of about $439,000 per month from commissary -- roughly $14.2 million in gross annual sales -- most of it from family deposits
- Medical and dental visits carried an $8 copay, which advocates said was the highest in the country (more than double the national average) before it was eliminated
- Incarcerated people can incur debt while inside (often medical debt from injuries), and NDOC sends a demand letter on release; the system had $10.4 million in outstanding debt including $1.7 million in collection and interest fees
- The release debit card holds funds out of state at Cache Valley Bank in Logan, Utah
The elimination of medical copays (saving families an estimated $1.1 million annually) was a direct result of this advocacy. The commissary markup fight continues.
NDOC also warns families to be cautious about requests for money for "release," "restitution," or other claimed expenses from someone they were not previously acquainted with -- a common scam targeting prison families.
How to File a Complaint on Your Loved One's Behalf
Step 1: Document everything specific
Date, facility, staff name if known, what happened. For medical issues: document what care was requested, when, what was denied, and any deterioration.
Step 2: NDOC Family Services Division
doc.nv.gov/Inmates/Family_Services_Division. For general questions and navigating procedures (cannot change housing, medical, or release decisions).
Step 3: NDOC Ombudsman
Independent oversight created by AB 452. Contact through doc.nv.gov. If the ombudsman is unavailable, proceed to the Inspector General.
Step 4: Inspector General's Office
For serious misconduct or urgent safety concerns. Advocates have used this office when the ombudsman was unavailable. Contact through doc.nv.gov.
Step 5: Contact your Nevada state legislators
At leg.state.nv.us. The Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary has been actively engaged on NDOC oversight, with testimony from Return Strong, FFJC, and the ACLU. Constituent contact amplifies that work.
Step 6: Contact advocacy organizations
Return Strong (returnstrong.org), ACLU of Nevada (702-366-1226), or FFJC for guidance.
Step 7: Federal escalation
DOJ Civil Rights Division (justice.gov/crt). For federal facilities in Nevada: BOP Western Region.
What families cannot compel: You cannot file an internal NDOC grievance for your loved one. You cannot override classification, medical, or release decisions. External organizations can investigate and litigate but cannot guarantee outcomes.
Staying Connected: The Practical Guide for Nevada Families
Phone
ViaPath/ConnectNetwork. Set up AdvancePay at ConnectNetwork.com, accept collect calls (90-day rolling limit, monthly fees), or have your loved one buy debit time from their NDOC Trust account. All calls recorded except legal calls.
Messaging and video
GettingOut.com -- messaging, photos, 30-second video clips, video visits. Add the offender, wait for acceptance, deposit funds, then message or schedule video.
NDOC Secure Mail is transitioning to Corrlinks.com -- messages are one-way (printed and delivered at mail call; no email reply). Physical mail rules have tightened around colored paper, greeting cards, and drawings. Confirm current rules before sending. Send physical mail to the facility address with the offender's full name and NDOC ID.
Sending money
Access Corrections (credit/debit online, or by phone) or Lockbox deposit coupons with cashier's check or money order. Money orders/cashier's checks received directly by NDOC are held 14 calendar days. Access Corrections customer service for catalog/commissary: 1-800-546-6283.
In-person and virtual visits
Be added to the approved list by your loved one, clear the background check, then schedule at ndocvisitation.com. Visiting rooms 8 AM-4 PM. Photo ID required; arrive 15-30 minutes early. NDOC must give 72 hours notice before canceling a visit (AB 452).
Locating your loved one
NDOC Offender Search: doc.nv.gov
InmateAid Nevada inmate search: [internal link]
Supporting Yourself While Supporting Them
Nevada families have done something extraordinary: they organized through Return Strong and changed state law. Solitary confinement is restricted. An ombudsman exists on paper. Medical copays are gone. Visits cannot be canceled without 72 hours notice. These were not gifts -- they were won by family members who testified, organized, and sued.
If you have a loved one in NDOC, Return Strong (returnstrong.org) is your community and your most effective advocacy channel. They are still fighting -- on the ombudsman, on medical care, on commissary costs, on the mail restrictions.
The Fines and Fees Justice Center (finesandfeesjusticecenter.org) is the organization documenting and fighting the financial burden NDOC places on families. If commissary markups, medical debt, or fees are crushing your household, FFJC is building the case against them.
Prison Families Alliance (prisonfamiliesalliance.org) is the Southern Nevada peer support group and resource hub.
If your loved one is at Ely State Prison or has been transferred out of state, distance makes the GettingOut tablet and phone your primary connection. Set up your accounts and learn the schedule.
Worth Rises (worthrises.org) tracks ViaPath and commissary vendor costs nationally. Nevada's tablet rollout and commissary markups are exactly what they document.
Dial **211** (or 866-535-5654) for local community resource referrals across Nevada.
Frequently asked questions
What reforms did Nevada families win through Return Strong?
In 2023, Return Strong helped pass a package of reforms: SB 307 restricted solitary confinement (least-restrictive standard, 15-day multidisciplinary review); AB 452 created an independent prison ombudsman and required 72 hours notice before canceling a visit; AB 292 expanded medical and behavioral health services for incarcerated women. A separate fines-and-fees reform eliminated medical copays, saving families an estimated $1.1 million a year.
What phone and messaging system does Nevada NDOC use?
Phone runs through ViaPath/ConnectNetwork -- set up an AdvancePay prepaid account at ConnectNetwork.com, accept collect calls (90-day rolling limit), or use inmate debit. Messaging, photos, 30-second video clips, and video visits run through GettingOut.com -- add the offender and wait for acceptance before messaging.
How does Nevada prison mail work now?
NDOC Secure Mail is transitioning to Corrlinks.com. Messages you send through the system are one-way -- the incarcerated person cannot reply by email; your message is printed and delivered at regular mail call. NDOC has also tightened rules on colored paper, greeting cards, and drawings, citing drug-soaked mail. Confirm current physical-mail rules before sending.
What is the NDOC ombudsman and is it operating?
Assembly Bill 452 created an independent prison ombudsman to provide oversight of the Nevada prison system. As of a December 2024 public meeting, advocates reported the position appeared unfilled or unpublicized, and an urgent safety concern had to be routed to the Inspector General's office instead. Verify the current status and contact information at doc.nv.gov. If the ombudsman is unavailable and the matter is urgent, contact the Inspector General's office.
Why are commissary and medical costs such a big issue in Nevada?
Research by the Fines and Fees Justice Center and Return Strong found NDOC applies a roughly 66 percent markup on most commissary items, receives kickbacks on package and music sales, and netted about $439,000 per month from commissary -- most of it from family deposits. Medical copays were the highest in the country at $8 before being eliminated. Incarcerated people can also leave prison with medical debt. These costs fall heavily on families.
How do I schedule a visit in Nevada?
Your loved one must first add you to their approved visitor list; non-immediate family typically clear a background check (renewed about every three years). Once approved, schedule at ndocvisitation.com or by phone. Visiting rooms are generally open 8 AM-4 PM. Bring government-issued photo ID and arrive 15-30 minutes early. NDOC must give at least 72 hours notice before canceling a scheduled visit.
Who do I contact about conditions or safety at a Nevada prison?
Start with NDOC Family Services Division (doc.nv.gov) for general questions. For oversight, contact the NDOC ombudsman (created by AB 452); if unavailable, the Inspector General's office. For advocacy and litigation: Return Strong (returnstrong.org) or the ACLU of Nevada (702-366-1226). For wrongful conviction: The Innocence Center of Nevada (innocencenv.org). For federal civil rights violations: DOJ Civil Rights Division (justice.gov/crt). --- [SPEC NOTE: Series folder 1intOvghBAhj6-_YzDsYllOy4scUOeEGh. Internal CTAs: Nevada inmate search, send money to Nevada inmates, Nevada reentry resources, Staying Connected hub, how prison works hub. SOURCING: nevadacurrent.com February 2024 (SB 307 effective Jan 1 least restrictive manner separating inmates shortest period safely possible; multidisciplinary treatment team mental health clinician review 15 consecutive days solitary; Melanie Scheible co-chair; Dzurenda abolish solitary permanently long-term goal still use segregation discipline safety; AB 452 protections visitations 72 hours prior visit canceled establishes independent ombudsman oversight; AB 292 expanded medical behavioral health women unlimited feminine hygiene products eliminated costs hygiene items mammograms pap smears gynecological exams; Nick Shepack Nevada Deputy Director Fines Fees Justice Center backdoor tax families save estimated $1.1 million year; eliminated copays prosthetics; $500,000 work equipment certifications nine years; ServSafe cards culinary $463 year; Jodi Hocking founder Return Strong SB 307 phenomenal bill historical strides); nevadacurrent.com January 2024 (AB 452 co-presented Return Strong NDOC director James Dzurenda creates ombudsman independent oversight; states independent oversight reduction litigation; 72 hours notice visits canceled); leg.state.nv.us May 2025 work session (commissary markup 66% nonreligious items tampons menstrual pads denture adhesive food; NDOC 20% kickback bulk package sales 10% MP3 songs; profits 9-42% average $439000 net monthly $14.2 million gross annually; family deposits; debt upon release AR 258; $10.4 million outstanding debt $1.7 million collection interest; Cache Valley Bank Logan Utah; $8.00 copay highest country double national average; FFJC RS UNR School Public Health); penmateapp.com NNCC (NDOC Secure Mail transitioning Corrlinks.com one-way offenders cannot reply email printed delivered regular mail distribution; GettingOut.com messaging photos 30-second video clips video visits add offender wait acceptance; Viapath/ConnectNetwork prepaid AdvancePay collect 90-day rolling spending limit monthly fees debit calling NDOC Trust commissary; Lockbox deposit coupons cashier check money order Access Corrections MasterCard Visa phone; funds money orders cashier checks held 14 calendar days; NNCC caller ID 775-977-0797; Access Catalog 1-800-546-6283; Family Services Division general information cannot assist merit credits housing relocation health); doc.nv.gov BoPC minutes Dec 19 2024 (AB452 Ombudsman bill NDOC; called NDOC no information Ombudsman website staff doesn't know administration offices doesn't know; hasn't been filled or know nothing; individual go Inspector General's office inmate Ely life threatened; tablets contract Jan 6 ViaPath implementation April 1st; bopc@doc.nv.gov; Laurie Beecher-Valenzuela Return Strong; Tonja Brown Advocates inmates innocent loved one die prison lack medical care; utilization review committee; James Dzurenda Director Brian Williams Deputy Director Operations); thenevadaindependent.com August 2022 (NDOC no longer wants greeting cards colored drawings sent prisoners digital copies tablets kiosks; prevent drugs colored paper dye ink; MailGuard JPay scanned correctional staff sent inmates digitally; Jodi Hocking Return Strong revisions problematic; 10000 inmates NDOC; Charles Daniels director contraband mail visitation corrupt staff; Sisolak questions lack evidence-based data; Texas study digitizing mail did not reduce contraband majority correctional staff; photocopies 10 cents per page); ndocvisitation.com (visiting room hours 8am-4pm; schedule a visit; offender search; subscribe visitation notifications; visitation rules regulations); nevadaprisonroster.com March 2026 (NDOC state prisons High Desert Ely Northern Nevada Lovelock; inmates add visitors approved list non-immediate family background check every three years; approval mail email; schedule online portal phone 24 hours before; arrive 15-30 minutes; photo ID security screening); prisonfamiliesalliance.org (Prison Families Alliance Southern Nevada support group loved ones incarcerated parole probation; 211 866-535-5654; ACLU 702-366-1226 aclunv.org; Hope for Prisoners hopeforprisoners.org reentry; Innocence Center Nevada ICON innocencenv.org); doc.nv.gov Family Services Division; 2news.com December 2024 (Return Strong suing NDOC wrongful death inmates; Dr Kenneth Williams Medical Director considerable room improvement; Jacquin Webb culinary mice feces flour oatmeal; transferred Idaho better conditions dentist outside); returnstrong.org; finesandfeesjusticecenter.org Nick Shepack; aclunv.org 702-366-1226; innocencenv.org; lacsn.org 702-386-1070; hopeforprisoners.org; humanrightsdefensecenter.org 561-360-2523; worthrises.org; leg.state.nv.us; justice.gov/crt; 211 Nevada 866-535-5654; ConnectNetwork.com; GettingOut.com; Access Corrections 1-800-546-6283. NOTE for Poorwa: CRITICAL -- verify NDOC current director (James Dzurenda as of 2024-2025; confirm still current); verify ViaPath tablet rollout completed (contract Jan 6 2025 target April 1 2025); verify ViaPath/ConnectNetwork still phone vendor and GettingOut.com messaging/video; verify NDOC Secure Mail transition to Corrlinks.com complete and current; verify whether NDOC implemented full mail digitization/colored-mail ban (2022 fight; confirm current physical mail rules at doc.nv.gov); verify Access Corrections and Lockbox still money methods; verify 14-day hold on money orders; verify ndocvisitation.com current and 8am-4pm hours; verify background check every 3 years for non-immediate family; verify AB 452 ombudsman -- IS THE POSITION NOW FILLED AND PUBLICIZED? (as of Dec 2024 advocates said no -- critical to verify current status and contact at doc.nv.gov); verify 72-hour visit cancellation notice in effect; verify SB 307 solitary confinement standards current; verify commissary markup 66% and $8 copay elimination current; verify Return Strong returnstrong.org current and Jodi Hocking founder; verify Return Strong NDOC litigation status; verify FFJC Nevada Nick Shepack current; verify ACLU Nevada 702-366-1226 current; verify Prison Families Alliance prisonfamiliesalliance.org current; verify ICON innocencenv.org current; verify Legal Aid Center Southern Nevada 702-386-1070 current; verify ~10000 NDOC population; verify Ely State Prison death row and remoteness; verify out-of-state transfers to Idaho current; verify FCC rate caps apply to ViaPath Nevada; verify NDOC Offender Search at doc.nv.gov; len/char check before publish.]
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