Prison closure gets support from state building officials

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010 | 2:15 p.m.

CARSON CITY – Director Howard Skolnik is getting some support from building officials for his plan to close the Nevada State Prison, built in 1868 in Carson City.

Gus Nunez, manager of the Public Works Board, which oversees state construction projects, says it would cost close to $30 million to bring the prison up to code within the next two years.

He said it would then require an additional $30 million to $40 million in the next five years to upgrade the prison, which now houses about 700 inmates.

“It should be shut down,” Nunez told the board that is considering building requests for the next two years from state agencies.

Skolnik and Gov. Jim Gibbons have recommended the closure of the prison but Secretary of State Ross Miller and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto have blocked the plan. They and the governor are on the state Prison Board, which voted 2-1 against closing the prison.

The 2009 Legislature also turned down the idea of closing the prison.

Unsuccessful in his proposed plan to close the prison, Skolnik is now recommending spending up to $4.5 million in the coming two years to upgrade the prison.

But Public Works Board Chairman Robert Thorniley of Las Vegas said “It’s ridiculous to throw good money” at the project. He called it "stupid" to recommend spending that amount of money on the aging prison.

The board must make a recommendation to the incoming governor and the 2011 Legislature on what construction or repair projects to spend money on. But it’s up to the Legislature to make the final decision.

Jeff Mohlenkamp of the Department of Corrections said he had devised a plan in which the prison could be closed over a 10-month span with no layoffs.

The prison has asked for money to replace porcelain toilets and sinks to security-grade stainless steel, while also seeking to replace 136 electronic door locks. It also wants to upgrade the air system.

Skolnik told the board that the inmates could be shifted to the High Desert State Prison in Southern Nevada, where there are two vacant units. It costs an additional $4,000 to $6,000 a year per inmate for those confined to the prison in Carson City, Skolnik said.

Whatever the Public Works Board recommends, the arguments for closure will be presented to the 2011 Legislature.

The prison originally was constructed in 1868 and since then there have been numerous additions. In the past 35-40 years, there have been new prisons constructed around the state.