Inmates usually serve two to three months at North Kern while staff processes their criminal and health records and assesses their physiological and social needs before assigning them to another prison.

Delano benefited from the new sewage system being built as well as new electrical infrastructure, and spurred retail and housing development.

The Minimum yard possesses 100–200 level 1 inmates who work and live in a less secure housing unit located outside the main facility.

In the event of a lockdown, Minimum yard inmates will come into the main prison to provide support services.

During regular operating procedure, mainline A yard inmates provide support services throughout the prison, for example, kitchen, laundry, education, and library.

In addition to holding a job at the prison, mainline inmates are eligible for education and reentry programs.

Inmates housed in the Reception Center (RC) typically spend two to three months at North Kern before being transferred to another prison.

Since most inmates coming into prison do not have a high school education, GED classes are offered.

[4] On the night of April 21, 2015, a guard walking a yard at North Kern State Prison was struck by gunfire, which penetrated his stab-proof vest.