Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Lawmakers can’t reach decision on prison closure

Sun Coverage

CARSON CITY – A legislative budget subcommittee today failed to reach a decision on whether to close the aging Nevada State Prison in Carson City at a savings of $15.9 million over the next two fiscal years.

Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, said she wanted to see a closure plan as ordered by Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas. Legislative fiscal staff told lawmakers the plan had been submitted Feb. 21.

Assemblyman Joseph Hogan, D-Las Vegas, also said it would be hard to make a decision without reviewing the plan.

“It would be difficult to reach a decision without helpful analysis,” said Hogan, chairman of the subcommittee.

Gov. Brian Sandoval recommended closing the prison, shifting 498 inmates to the High Desert State Prison in Southern Nevada. It would eliminate 112 jobs, while some positions would be transferred to other prisons.

The prison, one of the oldest in the United States, was a hotel when purchased by the state in 1862. It burned in 1867 and was rebuilt.

In other action, the nine-member subcommittee couldn't decide whether to shut down the conservation camp in Wells, in northeast Nevada, at a savings of more than $2 million over the next biennium. It has 150 beds and 12 staff members.

The state Forestry Division notified the subcommittee it would have to increase its budget by $719,471 to hire fire suppression crews to battle blazes if it closed.

Greg Cox, acting director of the state Department of Corrections, said 40 inmates would be transferred to the conservation camp in Carlin for firefighting purposes.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy