Editorial: Chance for rectifying a big mistake

Wednesday, June 2, 2004 | 8:53 a.m.

In the mid-1990s the state correctly forecast the need for a 550-bed women's prison in Southern Nevada. But it made a big mistake in entering a contract with a private firm to run the prison, which opened seven years ago in North Las Vegas. The private company, Corrections Corporation of America, has complained that it cannot run the prison according to the terms of its contract, that it needs more money. Earlier this year, after years of mismanagement and financial feuding with the state, the company announced it would pull out after its current three-year contract expires on Sept. 30.

We'll find out soon how the state will treat the announcement. In our view it should be treated as an opportunity -- an opportunity for the state to run its own prison and correct the numerous deficiencies that have built up over the years. Gov. Kenny Guinn is on record favoring a return to state control, as is the state Corrections Department. The Legislature, however, has a big voice in the decision. A legislative subcommittee, chaired by Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, will study proposals from three private companies eager to take CCA's place. On Thursday, the subcommittee will also hear a proposal from the Corrections Department.

The department, which is highly critical of the health care now offered at the prison, is saying publicly that it could provide the prison with a better qualified staff and all-round superior programming and management. We believe the Legislature should trust its own Corrections Department, and not be seduced by the private bids, which superficially suggest lower costs. The Corrections Department says it can manage the prison -- and provide inmates with quality health care -- for $8.2 million a year. The private bids, which do not include providing health care, range from $6.6 million to $7.2 million.

If the experience with Corrections Corporation of America is any indicator, any new private management firm, even without having to provide health care, would soon be complaining that it cannot make a profit under the terms of the contract. Just like with CCA, the state would be left with two choices -- either renegotiate a higher contract, or put up with substandard service. Two months ago nearly half of the inmates at the women's prison signed a petition protesting their living conditions. The petition merely brought new attention to what has been known for years, that private management of the prison has failed to provide adequate service. The same held true for the Summit View Youth Correctional Center, also in North Las Vegas. After numerous failures by its private management firm, the center closed in March 2002. It reopened in January of this year - - under state management.

Nevada has had ample experience now in trusting a private contractor with its responsibility to run a prison. We believe the Legislature should side with Gov. Guinn and the Corrections Department, and allow the state to fully take back that responsibility.