Editorial: Suggestion threatens hospital

Friday, Jan. 24, 2003 | 9 a.m.

In his State of the State speech, Gov. Kenny Guinn said the creation of a new mental health hospital in Southern Nevada was one of his "major priorities." The governor is asking for $32 million, an amount consistent with expert assessment that arose last summer when he suggested using $15 million in unused prison funds to build the hospital. At the time, the governor's proposal was warmly greeted by mental health professionals, but they cautioned that at least twice that much would be needed to build a facility sizable enough to meet the need. It was good news when Guinn's speech made it clear that he had listened and agreed.

But now along comes state Sen. Sandra Tiffany with a suggestion that, if it gains momentum, could mean yet another blow to mental health services in Southern Nevada. The Henderson Republican is saying that instead of building a hospital, the state should privatize mental health services. For decades, mental health has been underfunded in Southern Nevada, creating problems for Metro Police, University Medical Center, homeless shelters and other service agencies. Just when we have a governor offering a permanent solution, we have a senator threatening to block such badly needed progress.

The experience of Summit View, a state prison for violent youths, is a good reason to fear privatization of vital services. From the time that Summit View was first proposed in 1997 until its first anniversary in June 2001, privatization was generally embraced. But then came the takeover of the facility's roof by 20 of its young prisoners, who caused more than $12,000 worth of damage during an hours-long standoff with police. Two months later two former Summit View guards pleaded guilty to charges of having sex with two inmates. The incidents led to an investigation, which revealed that the privately operated Summit View had serious management problems from day one. The company pulled out of its contract two years early and the facility has been closed now for a year. Violent youthful offenders are now being sent out of state or being held by counties -- s ituations that inhibit rehabilitation. The state sought bids from other private correctional firms, but learned that provid! ing the service itself would be less expensive. Now, state Sen. Bill Raggio, the Senate majority leader, is saying the state probably can't afford to re-open Summit View at all, either as a state-run or private facility.

We cannot afford such a fiasco with mental health. Guinn's plan offers a glimmer of hope, one that should not be darkened with talk of privatization.