Nevada to house Wyoming inmates

Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 | 9:57 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A legislative committee Thursday gave the green light to the state prison system to start housing inmates from Wyoming in a program that is expected to make the state an estimated $2 million.

Corrections Director Jackie Crawford outlined a program in which the state would use the vacant beds at the Southern Nevada High Desert State Prison near Indian Springs to initially house 200 inmates from Wyoming. She said one of the prisons in Wyoming had been condemned and officials in that state are looking for space.

Crawford and Wyoming may send Nevada as many as 500 inmates, which would eventually fill High Desert.

Wyoming would pay $60 a day for the first 200 inmates and $58 a day for any after the 200 prisoners. It now costs the state $39 a day for an inmate at High Desert.

Assemblyman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, said High Desert was 450 inmates below the projected population and the entire system is 800 inmates less than what was projected.

Committee members wrangled with Crawford about extra hiring, buying another van and other equipment to handle the Wyoming inmates.

"When you start up a new program, we have to do it right," Crawford said. "We don't want to embarrass the state of Nevada."

Crawford said getting the staffing and equipment would help to convince Wyoming to send more inmates, making the state more money.

In other action, the Finance Committee:

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, suggested the state look at getting all governments together to purchase a single health insurance plan that would provide "better buying power." She said retired teachers in the system are facing an increase in premiums from $1,400 to $2,000.