A different kind of Big House, Casa Grande, to open for ex-cons

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005 | 7:10 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A new chapter in the state's efforts to get prison inmates ready to return to society and keep them out of trouble opens next month in Las Vegas.

A 400-bed halfway house, named Casa Grande, will start accepting its first 50 inmates on Dec. 5 and will have a grand opening on Jan. 18.

Greg Cox, assistant director of the state Corrections Department, said it will provide job training and employment referrals, education and physical and mental health treatment.

These inmates will pay room and board at a rate of $16.35 per day, Cox said.

The convicts, who are within six months of their probable release date, will work during the day and return at night.

The concept was pushed by Jackie Crawford, the former director of the Corrections Department.

"This is a major step and we're turning the corner," Crawford said. "What we have done in the past was irresponsible," referring to the parole or release of inmates with little training and without an easing into the community.

Cox said Casa Grande will accept an additional 50 inmates every two weeks until it reaches its maximum of 400.

The prison system, with a population of 11,500, releases 4,000 inmates every year, and 65 percent of them come from Clark County, Cox said.

The state Board of Examiners on Nov. 8 approved a contract between the prison and a company called Choices Group Inc. to do the employment training and placement of the released inmates in jobs.

It will handle anger management, reuniting with family, assessment and treatment of mental health and substance problems, instruction on parenting skills, help in find a place to live and other programs.

Cox said Choices Group has provided clinical and therapeutic services for the drug courts in Clark and Washoe counties since 1992.

Darrel Rexwinkel, deputy director in charge of finances, said the contract with Choices Group calls for up to $995,160 through June 30, 2007.

The Clark County School District will provide instruction at night, helping the inmates to get a GED.

There won't be any violent inmates or sex offenders at the facility, which is at 3955 Russell Road, near Wynn, said Cox. There are no residences or apartments in the area, only commercial and warehouse complexes.

Crawford credited Sen. Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, with getting the project through the Legislature in 2001.

Developer Irwin Molasky built the center and is leasing it back to the state. The state will own the halfway house in 30 years. Slightly more than $589,000 has been set aside for the remainder of this fiscal year to pay the lease. And $1.2 million has been authorized in fiscal 2007 to cover the lease.

Cy Ryan can be reached at (775) 687 5032 or at cy@lasvegassun.com.