State weighs two prison moves

Wednesday, June 19, 2002 | 11:47 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state is looking again at leasing the mothballed state prison at Jean.

The state also has narrowed the list of private bidders to re-open the Summit View juvenile detention center in Southern Nevada from three to two.

Those items were revealed Tuesday at a meeting of the Legislative Interim Finance Committee.

About three years ago, the administration of Gov. Kenny Guinn hit on a plan to sell or lease the Jean prison to another state, federal government or private contractor. But the plan fell through.

Jackie Crawford, director of the state Department of Corrections, said Tuesday she has been contacted by three potential vendors who want to lease the prison. She said it could be used by the federal immigration service or for federal female prisoners.

Edward Cotton, administrator of the state Division of Child and Family Services, told the committee that Summit View could be opened by late fall.

Three companies bid to re-open the facility. Cotton said Rite of Passage of Minden and Securicor New Century of Richmond, Va., are still in the running. The other company, Diversified Business Vision of Las Vegas, has been eliminated from consideration.

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 attempted escapes and sexual contact between female staff and inmates, the private company ended its contract, saying it was losing money.

The facility closed earlier this year.

Legislators asked about the negotiations with Correctional Services Corp. for repairs at the center. Willie Smith, deputy administrator for youth corrections, said the state and Correctional Services are still talking about the work.

Smith said the state feels Correctional Services owes $195,000 for repairs and other bills. But she said that is offset by expenses incurred by Correctional Services in medical bills and the fact the state withheld contract payments in January.