Company picked for juvenile facility

Monday, Aug. 5, 2002 | 9:45 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A Virginia company whose parent firm is based in England has been chosen by the state to operate trouble-plagued Summit View, the male juvenile detention center near North Las Vegas.

The state Purchasing Division has issued an intent to award the contract to Securicor New Century of Richmond, Va., which beat out Rite of Passage of Minden and Diversified Business Vision of Las Vegas in the bidding.

Purchasing Officer Colleen Janes said that details of the bids are confidential until the contract is awarded. She said negotiations may "take a lengthy time." A four-member evaluation team made the decision.

Mike Willden, director of the state Department of Human Resources, which oversees the center, said he hoped to have the contract wrapped up so it could be presented at the October meeting of the state Board of Examiners for approval.

The $14 million center is a 96-bed facility for serious male juvenile offenders. It opened in 2000 and was run under contract by Correctional Services Corp. But after a number of problems, including escapes and sexual contact between female staff and inmates, the private company ended its contract, saying it was losing money.

The facility has been in mothballs since January and probably won't reopen until this coming January.

Securicor officials could not be contacted for immediate comment.