Assemblywoman knocks women’s prison location

Thursday, Sept. 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A contract is near completion to build a private major women's prison in North Las Vegas, but a state legislator warns there is "great danger" from fire and toxic materials surrounding the site.

Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-Las Vegas, told state Prison Director Bob Bayer Wednesday the state may be liable for any health consequences, even though the prison is to be built and operated by a private company, Corrections Corporation of America.

Bayer said he is close to signing a contract with Corrections Corporation for the 400-bed prison to be located on a 43-acre site at Lamb Boulevard and Smiley Road in North Las Vegas.

But Chowning said noxious odors pervade two ends of the site and brown earth to the west and south indicates that oil has been discarded and seeped into the land.

"It's been a neglected dump," she said.

Bayer said he examined many of the concerns voiced by Chowning and others and called it a "pretty good site." He said during his five hour visit, "I didn't smell anything."

Bayer said the state fire marshal's office and environmental protection inspectors looked at the location.

"All four sites are not the greatest. We picked the best of the four," Bayer said, referring to the four bidders for the contract to construct and operate the prison.

He said the state prison in Carson City is located across the road from the city sewer plant and he worked there seven years. "It was not a problem," he said, referring to the strong smell.

Chowning said the site, annexed by North Las Vegas, is next to a dump with papers and debris piled 25 feet high. That area is in the county and has only a 1/frac1/2-inch water line. She wondered what would happen if a major fire broke out and which government would answer the call.

In the last 20 years, the highest population in the area has been about 100 people. She said there has been a severe fire at the site because of discarded tires.

It's irresponsible of the state, Chowning said, to allow the contractor to choose such a site.

Bayer defended the location, saying it is near a highway and served by the bus lines, making it easy for families to visit.

The exchange took place at a meeting of the Legislative Interim Finance Committee, which approved Bayer's plan to end a contract with the federal government to house its prisoners in Carson City. Bayer said that would provide an additional 36 beds to take care of prison population growth.

Negotiations with Corrections Corporation of American have dragged on and the prison is already eight months behind its scheduled construction start.

Bayer is making some moves to ensure there is space at the present facilities because the women's prison won't be ready by the intended date of January next year.

Assemblyman John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, co-chairman of the legislative committee, said the state Environmental Protection Division has agreed to send inspectors to the site to examine the possible hazards.