Money approved for release of inmates to Drug Court

Friday, April 14, 2000 | 10:49 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A legislative committee Thursday agreed to release $138,750 to start a program that frees state prison inmates early to enter Drug Court programs in Las Vegas and Reno.

District Judge Jack Lehman, who runs the Drug Court in Las Vegas, said, "We're anxious to get going," and the project should be up and running in 90 days.

There are an estimated 400 drug courts in the nation, but this will be the first ever to accept felons released from prison early for the intensive rehabilitation system, the judge told the Legislative Interim Finance Committee.

There is $416,250 available in federal funds and the U.S. Department of Justice is already planning to study the results in Nevada, Lehman said.

Eighty percent of the inmates released from prison get into trouble within several years. But the recidivism rate for the Drug Court in Las Vegas is only 19 percent in seven and a half years, the judge said.

He said he hoped to have results to show the 2001 session of the Legislature.

Clark and Washoe drug courts will be paid $2,500 for each inmate in the program. And the state Parole and Probation Division will get an extra $1,200 for each ex-convict to monitor their behavior when they are not in rehabilitation.

Inmates not considered dangerous and within 24 months of their release dates would be considered eligible for release. They would have to have a home and a job. Initially the program requires three drug tests a week and three counseling sessions. Those requirement are relaxed as the person progresses in the program.

The initial program calls for release of 100 inmates to Clark County and 50 to Washoe. State Prison Director Bob Bayer said he would target the substance abusers for release rather than those who have trouble with alcohol.

One target of this program is to stop the need every two years for a new expensive prison, by moving inmates out earlier and making room for the more dangerous felons.

On another issue, lawmakers said they were upset with state Public Works Board Manager Eric Raecke for not going forward with plans for a gym at the new High Desert Correctional Center, north of Las Vegas.

Raecke handles the state construction program and it was decided to install high security cell doors costing $3,000 apiece, instead of less expensive doors as initially planned. The lower-cost cell doors are used in the prison in Lovelock. That cut into the money available for the gymnasium.

He said he still has $1 million and he might be able to cover an exercise area or build a "simplified" gymnasium at the new prison to open in September.