Furlough exemptions extended for prison guards

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 | 10:52 a.m.

Sun politics coverage

Nevada's correctional system will avoid furloughs under a plan approved today to transfer money from a inmate fund and seeking to lease an empty Southern Nevada prison to a private company.

Howard Skolnik, director of the Department of Corrections, said the state is in negotiations to lease the state's empty prison in Jean to a private correctional company, GEO, for $2.5 million a year.

He said Nevada does not need the space, but noted that California is searching for beds. Skolnik said he hopes to finalize the agreement in 30 to 45 days.

The state's corrections department has been struggling with furloughs since the Legislature passed them in June. Skolnik noted that other states that instituted furloughs exempted corrections departments. Furloughs would have endangered prisoners and guards, Skolnik said.

"Staff recognized that furloughs would increase the likelihood of injury or death," he said. The plan unanimously approved by the Board of Examiners, made up of the governor, secretary of state and attorney general on Tuesday, would allow the prison to maintain a "calm environment," Skolnik said.

The state's Inmate Welfare Fund, which provides for education, recreational activities and law libraries, will revert money back to the state's general fund. That fund will pay for the use of gymnasiums and cafeterias. Skolnik said no prison programs will be affected because of the payment.

Additionally, the state will get money from the federal government for the cost of housing illegal immigrants.

Discussion: 2 comments so far…

By rejco100

11/10/09 at 11:04 a.m.

Suggest removal

All the guards do ALL DAY-EVERY DAY is sit at their booth reading the newspaper, and an occasional chewing-out for the guys quiet down.
By theone1

11/10/09 at 2:04 p.m.

Suggest removal

Furloughs were a bad idea for all state employees.

How much money has been saved? Some State agencies, like Wildlife for example, are not funded from the state general fund.

The real savings will only come from cutting education. The only other option is to raise taxes on gaming and our Govs favorite, mining. These are decisions that our elected officials are not going to make. Election is right around the corner and no one will go there during an election year.

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