State will soon select firm to run troubled youth facility

Monday, July 29, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The long search to find a private company to run the state's Summit View juvenile detention center near North Las Vegas is nearing an end.

State Human Resources Director Mike Willden said a decision will be made in a week or two between the two finalists for the contract. The center, closed Jan. 31, could be opened by this January.

Willden said the contenders are Securicor New Century of Richmond, Va., and Rite of Passage of Minden.

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.

Willden had originally hoped to select a contractor in March and reopen in July.

Gov. Kenny Guinn and Willden both wanted to allow the state to run the center, but the Legislative Interim Finance Committee nixed that plan and told the administration to find a private contractor to replace Correctional Services Corp.

Securicor has more experience in running secure juvenile facilities, Willden said. The company has a contract to run a 104-bed juvenile facility for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. It also has been selected as the preferred provider to run a residential commitment program for moderate risk youth in Avon Park, Fla.

The company is also involved in security operations in Venezuela and Germany.

Three years ago Rite of Passage, which has run youth corrections programs in Nevada for 17 years, sought to be selected to design, build and operate Summit View. It came in second because it did not have an extensive background in operating secure detention centers.

Since then Rite of Passage has run two "structural" centers in Colorado, for which it has received high scores from state auditors.

The lowest bidder will not automatically get the contract, Willden said. Among other factors being considered are the programs that will be offered for the offenders.

When Summit View closed, the delinquents were placed in other programs in such Tennessee, Texas and with Rite of Passage. Willden said those youths will probably remain in those places to complete their treatment and rehabilitation program.

Outstanding financial disputes remain with Correctional Services Corp., which canceled its contract. Willden said the company did not make all of the required repairs and that there are issues of utility payments and employee salaries as well.

The state has withheld about $150,000 from payments to Correctional Services.

The state paid Correctional Services about $122 a day per inmate. In the plan by the state to run the center, the cost would have been $155 a day.

When the inmates start arriving at the facility, they will find a new gymnasium. Willden said the structure was just being completed when Correctional Services started to pull out.