The Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOCR) operates as the state’s primary correctional agency under Article 7, Section 18 of the Wyoming Constitution. Managing approximately 2,347 inmates across multiple facilities, WDOCR provides comprehensive inmate services, including healthcare, education, and rehabilitation programs. The department maintains three security levels and employs a structured hierarchy led by a Governor-appointed Director who oversees operations, policies, and personnel. Through evidence-based programs and professional staff training, WDOCR achieves a 30% recidivism rate while offering various inmate support services. Understanding the department’s complete scope discloses its essential role in Wyoming’s criminal justice system.
Core Mission and Constitutional Authority
The Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) operates under the constitutional authority granted by Article 7, Section 18 of the Wyoming State Constitution, which provides for establishing and supervising reformatory and penal institutions. This framework emerged following the dissolution of the State Board of Charities and Reform, transferring responsibility for correctional management to the newly formed department. Key Supreme Court decisions have established inmates’ constitutional rights to adequate medical care and protection from harm, shaping the WDOC’s operational scope.
As of 2022, the WDOC manages a total inmate population of 2,347, with a 4% decrease in the past year. The incarcerated population is 78% male and 22% female, reflecting national gender disparities in the criminal justice system. The department’s rehabilitation and education programs have maintained a relatively low recidivism rate of approximately 30%. Beginning July 2024, NaphCare services will provide comprehensive healthcare across all state facilities.
The department oversees seven major facilities, including the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution and the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp, which have a combined capacity of 3,100 beds. In fiscal year 2021, the WDOC’s budget totaled $300 million, with 35% allocated to inmate rehabilitation programs focused on education, vocational training, and mental health services.
This comprehensive approach, grounded in constitutional authority and professional correctional standards, enables the WDOC to enhance public safety through responsible offender management and successful reintegration into society.
How Does WDOCR Govern Its Prison System?
The Wyoming Department of Corrections is led by the Director, appointed by the Governor, and serves at their pleasure. Under W.S. 9-2-2014, the director has broad statutory authority to administer the state’s correctional system. This includes overseeing the operation of all correctional facilities, implementing policies, and managing personnel.
The deputy director and four division administrators report directly to the Director and oversee the key functional areas of Prisons, Probation and Parole, Community Corrections, and Support Services. These senior executive roles are also gubernatorial appointments. The Warden is the chief executive of each state-operated prison and is responsible for daily operations and security under the director’s guidance.
Facility-specific policies and procedures are developed at the institutional level, adhering to broader department-wide directives. For example, the classification system used to determine inmate housing assignments is standardized across all prisons, with each Warden ensuring proper implementation. Likewise, the disciplinary process for inmate misconduct follows a uniform structure, with the ability to appeal decisions to higher authorities.
Community corrections centers, operated by contracted providers, maintain operational protocols but remain under the department’s jurisdiction. The centers’ directors work closely with the Community Corrections Administrator to ensure alignment with state guidelines. Additionally, field offices across Wyoming’s counties employ probation and parole officers who supervise offenders in the community and provide a continuum of services.
Regular audits, legislative reporting requirements, and a gubernatorial-appointed advisory board facilitate oversight of the department’s activities. The Wyoming Board of Charities and Reform, composed of five members, reviews department policies and budgets and recommends to the Governor and Legislature.
WDOCR Operational Standards and Oversight
The Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOCR) classifies its correctional facilities into three security levels: minimum, medium, and maximum. Minimum-security facilities, such as the Wyoming Honor Farm, require a staffing ratio of 1 correctional officer per 75 incarcerated individuals and maintain perimeter fencing without armed towers.
As mandated by state statute 7-16-101, medium-security facilities must have a minimum staffing ratio of 1 officer per 50 inmates and secure perimeters with armed supervision. Per administrative code 017-0001-3, maximum-security prisons necessitate a 1:25 officer-to-inmate ratio and robust physical infrastructure, including reinforced walls, electronic detection systems, and centralized control centers.
These security classifications directly inform daily operations. Minimum-security inmates participate in the Corrections Industries Program, receiving vocational training while adhering to strict safety protocols. For proper conduct and behavior, inmates can earn up to 15 monthly days of reasonable time allowance.
Medium-security facilities conduct regular cell searches, inmate movement escorts, and perimeter patrols to maintain control. Maximum-security prisons enforce stringent access controls, conduct pat-downs and cell extractions, and prohibit contact visitation to mitigate risks. Across all facilities, the WDOCR conducts biannual classification reviews, as per state statute 7-13-201, to ensure appropriate placement and supervision of incarcerated individuals.
Recent legislative mandates have further shaped operational standards. In 2020, state law 19-7-104 required the WDOCR to implement evidence-based risk assessment and case management practices. This led to adopting the COMPAS risk and needs assessment tool and the development of individualized reentry plans.
Additionally, the 2019 passage of administrative code 016-0002-2 has necessitated enhanced staff training in de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care.
What Services Does WDOCR Provide?
WDOCR’s comprehensive medical and mental health services infrastructure ensures that inmates receive the necessary care and treatment during their incarceration. This includes:
- 24/7 on-site nursing staff and physicians who provide routine check-ups, emergency medical attention, and chronic disease management.
- Mental health professionals conduct assessments, administer psychotherapy, and coordinate with psychiatrists for medication management.
- Specialized treatment programs for inmates with severe mental illness, including intensive inpatient care and step-down transitional housing.
WDOCR’s substance abuse treatment programs focus on evidence-based interventions to address the root causes of addiction. These initiatives leverage individual and group counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication-assisted treatment to support long-term recovery. Outcomes data demonstrates significant reductions in recidivism rates among participants.
Nutritional services include:
- Balanced, nutritious meals prepared by on-site food service staff
- Specialized dietary accommodations for medical conditions or religious/cultural requirements
- Nutrition education and counseling to promote healthy lifestyles
WDOCR’s rehabilitation services encompass a range of educational, vocational, and reintegration programs designed to empower offenders and foster successful community reentry. These initiatives include:
- Adult basic education and high school equivalency preparation
- Occupational training in high-demand industries to enhance post-release employment prospects
- Life skills workshops covering financial literacy, parenting, and community integration
How Does the WDOCR Support Families & Visitors?
Visitors play a crucial role in supporting incarcerated individuals and their families. The Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOCR) has implemented a comprehensive visitor support infrastructure to facilitate meaningful connections.
Specific visitation protocols vary across WDOCR facilities but generally follow standardized procedures. Before entry, visitors must present valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID, and complete a background check. Upon arrival, they proceed through security screenings and are directed to designated visiting areas.
Visitor processing centers provide amenities such as comfortable seating, vending machines, and play areas for children. Dedicated staff assist elderly or disabled visitors with navigation and accommodation.
WDOCR’s online inmate locator system tracks inmates’ locations and visitation schedules. Visitors can search by name or identification number and receive real-time updates on transfers or changes to visiting hours.
Communication between incarcerated individuals and their families is facilitated through various channels. Telephone calls cost $0.15 per minute, with the option for inmates to set up prepaid accounts. Video visitation is available through the VisMon platform, offering remote face-to-face interactions. Mail screening and processing typically takes 3-5 business days, and electronic messaging via JPay allows instant communication. The Family Connections Program helps maintain bonds between incarcerated parents and their children through specialized services.
These comprehensive visitor support services demonstrate WDOCR’s commitment to maintaining family connections and promoting successful reintegration upon release.
How are Wyoming Prisons Managed?
Wyoming’s comprehensive classification system assigns inmates to distinct security levels based on a point-based assessment. This initial classification evaluates factors like criminal history, offense severity, escape risk, and institutional adjustment, with weighted values of 5, 4, 3, and 2 points, respectively. Mandatory overrides apply for severely violent offenders or escape attempts, placing them in maximum security regardless of the total score.
The classification procedure begins with a standardized assessment battery, including the Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS) risk assessment and a structured clinical interview. Psychological evaluations determine inmates’ security needs, program requirements, and appropriate placement. Classification teams comprising case managers, counselors, and security staff assign security levels using a 10-point risk matrix, with scores 0-3 for minimum, 4-6 for medium, and 7-10 for maximum custody.
Reclassification occurs every six months, with security level adjustments based on disciplinary records, program participation, and behavioral observations. Inmates who demonstrate positive institutional adjustment and complete rehabilitative programming may earn reductions in custody level. The reassessment process utilizes the same psychological, risk, and needs evaluations, ensuring placement decisions accurately reflect the inmate’s current status.
According to the most recent data, this classification system enables appropriate inmate management across Wyoming’s correctional facilities, with 52% minimum, 34% medium, and 14% maximum security. The system aims to facilitate successful reentry and reduce recidivism by implementing evidence-based assessment tools and emphasizing rehabilitation.
What Career Opportunities Does the WDOCR Offer?
| Position Title | Starting Salary Range | Basic Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officer | $42,000 – $52,000 | High School Diploma/GED |
| Caseworker | $45,000 – $55,000 | Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field |
| Probation Services Technician | $38,000 – $48,000 | High School Diploma/GED |
| Correctional Program Manager | $50,000 – $60,000 | Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or related field |
| Detention Deputy | $40,000 – $50,000 | High School Diploma/GED |
The Wyoming Department of Corrections operates a rigorous training academy to prepare new hires for their roles. The academy curriculum lasts eight weeks and covers inmate management, de-escalation techniques, firearms proficiency, and emergency response procedures. Trainees must also meet stringent physical fitness standards, including completing a 1.5-mile run in under 16 minutes and performing a minimum of 30 pushups and 40 sit-ups. With diverse job types available, candidates can choose from various specialized roles within the corrections system.
Upon completing the academy, new officers undergo a 12-week field training program. This program includes shadowing experienced staff, demonstrating competency in key operational areas, and passing regular evaluations. Trainees must be proficient in report writing, inmate supervision, and emergency response. Officers must model appropriate behavior while supervising inmates and maintaining facility security.
The department emphasizes continuous education and career development. Correctional officers must complete 40 hours of in-service training annually, covering topics like mental health awareness, ethics, and use of force. Additionally, the department offers specialized certification programs, such as a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training course and a 3-week Advanced Correctional Officer program, which provide opportunities for professional advancement.
Detention deputies responsible for maintaining secure facilities and ensuring inmate safety undertake a similar training regimen focusing on maintaining a safe and secure environment. Caseworkers who manage inmate programming and probation services technicians who provide administrative support also receive comprehensive training to fulfill their respective roles effectively.
The Wyoming Department of Corrections is committed to fostering a skilled and dedicated workforce, providing competitive compensation packages, and supporting the professional development of its employees. The department’s diverse career paths offer rewarding opportunities to contribute to the state’s public safety and offender rehabilitation efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Daily Cost per Inmate in Wyoming Prisons?
Based on the biennial budget of $264,794,773 and an average daily population of 2,318 inmates, the estimated daily cost per inmate in Wyoming prisons is approximately $156.50, though official figures aren’t directly provided.
How Many Inmates Are Currently Incarcerated in Wyoming Correctional Facilities?
Based on the most recent data, Wyoming has approximately 2,493 inmates under state jurisdiction, with an average daily population of 2,318 across its various correctional facilities.
What Is the Recidivism Rate for Wyoming State Prison Inmates?
Wyoming’s recidivism rate increased from 24.8% in 2011 to 33.8% in 2021, with 14% returning for parole violations and 11% for new felony convictions within three years of release.
Which Wyoming Prison Facility Has the Highest Security Level?
The Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins maintains the highest security level, operating as a Level IV/Level V maximum security facility that houses death row inmates and contains the state’s execution chamber.
How Many Deaths Occur Annually in Wyoming State Prisons?
Based on the available background information, specific annual mortality rates in Wyoming state prisons are not publicly documented. Historical records only mention three officer deaths and one civilian death from 1912.