Bidders sought for women’s prison

Monday, Sept. 30, 2002 | 9:20 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Since it opened in 1997, the Southern Nevada Women's Prison has been run by Corrections Corp. of America.

But now the state is opening up the bidding to see if another private company can operate the more than 500-bed center at less expense.

Bids will be opened in mid-October by the state Purchasing Division for a new contract. Division executive Kim Perondi said seven potential bidders participated in a walk-through of the prison in North Las Vegas.

Darrel J. Rexwinkel, deputy director in charge of finances for the state Department of Corrections, said the state pays $46.60 a day per inmate but is seeking a lower rate.

Renny Ashleman, an attorney for Corrections Corp., has said in the past that his company has lost money on the deal -- but it intends to submit a new bid, he said.

The women's prison is the only full-service prison operated by a private company in Nevada. The contract for Corrections Corporation expires in October 2004.

The state pays $10 million to $11 million a year to the contractor, budget documents show.

Companies will have three options in the bids. They can submit a proposal to run all of the prison, including providing medical and psychiatric care, dental and vision coverage. Or they may bid only on operating the prison section. Or they can present a proposal for medical, psychiatric, dental and vision care only.