Release of low-risk inmates approved

Friday, May 21, 1999 | 11 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A plan by Gov. Kenny Guinn to release up to 150 low-risk state prison inmates to the supervision of the Drug Courts in Las Vegas and Reno was approved today by the Senate Finance Committee.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said, "This is a very good program," after hearing the details Thursday from Scott Scherer, legal counsel to Guinn.

Scherer told the Finance Committee Thursday that the proposed pilot program for the coming two years would free inmates from prison up to 24 months before expiration of their term.

They would be required to have a home and a job and would be placed under the supervision of the Drug Courts. The Drug Court program, now run by District Judge Jack Lehman in Las Vegas, initially requires three drug tests a week and three counseling sessions a week. As the person advances in the program, the requirements are relaxed.

Scherer said the Drug Courts have agreed to help the inmates, who would be considered nonviolent, to land employment and places to live. The convicts would pay for their drug testing.

The drug program in Las Vegas, Scherer said, has only a 14 percent recidivism rate. "Even if we go to 15 or 16 percent, we will save money," he said.

Final details of the program were not given to the committee, but the state would pay a set amount to the courts for each inmate.

The program would release bed space in the prisons for the more violent offenders.

In addition, those felons who are on parole and commit a technical violation of the regulations could also be placed under this intensive supervision.

The participants in the program would still report to their parole officers.

Senate Bill 184 provides Clark County with $700,000 and Washoe County $330,000 to continue with their present programs.