Youth detention center set for state takeover

Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002 | 11 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Summit View, the troubled youth detention center in Las Vegas, will be closed at the end of the week with the final eight boys being transferred out.

Mike Willden, director of the state Department of Human Resources, said today the facility will then be put in mothballs until a new private contractor is found.

"I don't see us restarting it at least until July 1," said Willden.

The present contractor, Correctional Services Corp. canceled its contract to run the $14 million center effective the first week in March. The company said the state did not commit enough delinquents to make it profitable.

When the shut-down began, there were 38 youths. Willden said 14 of them were paroled in Las Vegas; 10 are going to a secure detention facility in Tennessee operated by Correctional Corp. of America; one is going home out of state and eight are going to Rite of Passage, which operates juvenile facilities in Northern Nevada. The rest are going into treatment programs for such things as drug and alcohol abuse, mental health and sex offenses. They will be confined while being treated in these programs.

About nine companies have expressed some interest in taking over Summit View, which was opened last year for serious juvenile offenders. Willden said there are four firms that have indicated serious consideration. He's confident he will get at least four bids when they are published sometime in February.

He expects a new contractor to be named in April. It will take the new operator time to hire medical, nursing, security and other staff and sign contracts for food service and schooling. The new contract will call for better-trained staffed.

Correctional Services had a high turnover in employees and state officials complained about the training. In one case, two female staff members had sex with the inmates. The state will approach the Interim Finance Committee on Feb. 5 for permission to move money over from paying the contractor to start the mothballing process.

Willden said he wants to hire a security company to protect it from vandalism. And he needs a buildings and grounds contractor for such things as irrigating and stopping any deterioration. In addition, Willden said some money will be required to make improvements in the security for such things as fences and wiring.

There was one major escape try last year at the center. Willden said the eight inmates, to be transferred this week, were kept at the center so they could complete their semester in school or were awaiting placement. There are still some repairs to be made at Summit View. Willden said the state is negotiating with Correctional Services. The state owes the company some money for medical care of some inmates.