State prison gets a reprieve from ax

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's oldest prison will be allowed to get a bit older.

For the second month in a row, the state Prison Board's Democratic members voted 2-1 Tuesday to block an attempt by Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons to close the 140-year-old Nevada State Prison.

Gibbons had called for the closure to cut spending because of a drop in state tax revenues caused by the worst economic slump since the Great Depression.

Secretary of State Ross Miller and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto want legislators sitting on the Interim Finance Committee to use as much as $8.3 million in an emergency fund to exempt correctional officers throughout the state from mandatory one-day-a-month furloughs and keep the prison open.

They asked Corrections Director Howard Skolnik to present such a request, including the amount of money he needs. His request would be reviewed by the state Board of Examiners and later the Interim Finance Committee.

Miller said that an $8.3 million balance in the committee's fund could be used to pay workers to stay on the job, instead of taking furloughs.

If Skolnik does not have to furlough workers, and can fill vacancies he needs to protect staff and the public, then Miller said there will be no need to close the Carson City prison, which houses 657 medium-security inmates.

"There will be a significant public safety detrimental effect if we close Nevada State Prison," Miller said.

In response to reporters' questions, Miller did not explain how security would be affected.

He said he did not believe estimates that closing the old prison could save as much as $3 million a year. Inmates still would have to be moved to other prisons and officers employed to watch them, he said.

He called furloughing prison workers an unacceptable option for public safety. By requiring a furlough of one day a month, the number of employees guarding inmates at any one time is 4.6 percent less than normal, he said.

Contacted in Southern Nevada, Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, said he was pleased Miller and Masto decided the prison should not be closed.

He said he and other legislators will consider a request to use contingency funds to exempt prison employees from the furlough requirement.

Legislators agreed last year to set aside $4 million to exempt prison workers from furloughs during the fiscal year that ended July 1. More than $1.5 million remains in the fund, which could be used during the current year before tapping contingency funds.

But state Budget Director Andrew Clinger warned that the contingency fund is used to cover unforeseen expenditures such as the cost of fighting wild-land fires.

Funds have been exhausted in previous years for fire suppression.

"That is a big unknown cost," Clinger said.

After the meeting, Skolnik said he "immediately" intends to hire new workers for the Nevada State Prison and bring staffing levels up to a level at which he thinks staff and the public will be safe.

"I can't continue to wait for them to make a decision," Skolnik said.

Gibbons, the only Republican on the Prison Board, made few comments during the meeting and cast the only no vote.

But he challenged statements made by Masto and repeatedly emphasized that by law, Skolnik still can transfer Nevada State Prison inmates to other prisons without the board's approval.

The governor has sought twice to secure legislative approval to close the prison, initially contending closure would save $12 million a year but later dropping that figure to $3 million.

Skolnik told board members that he could improve safety throughout the prison system by transferring Nevada State Prison inmates and the 209 staff members to other prisons. Shortages at other prisons caused by furloughs would be reduced with the arrival of these workers, he added.

He also said no Nevada State Prison workers would be laid off or forced to relocate outside the area because of such a shutdown.

But neither Miller nor Masto responded to his suggestion Tuesday, instead noting he had said previously the prison could stay open if there were no furloughs.

Miller expressed concern that Gibbons still will try without their approval to induce Skolnik to transfer many inmates and close the prison.

"If I want to keep my job," Skolnik said, noting that he might have to follow any order made by Gibbons.

But he pledged not to reduce the prison's staff or unnecessarily transfer inmates to other prisons before the board makes a final decision.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.

Trending topics:

• Carson City
• Gov. Jim Gibbons
• Nevada Prisons Board
• Nevada State Prison

Comments

Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background.

1. MGH Jul. 18, 2010 | 7:54 a.m. Report Abuse

   (It's So Nevada)...... Why won't someone with some brains, Do this. Use place's like this, which is outdated, as rehabilitation centers for prerelease prisoner's. Fact the majority of offender's are released back into to society. (Fact,) to prevent further recidivism place's like this could be used to help convicted felons learn a trade before returning to society. This is a guaranteed program of success, and I can show you how. (I also know there are many out there who have never been caught, breaking the law including, and this includes politician,)So lets stop with the B.S. If you want answer.s to the problems just call me. (Fact) The majority of the people want to see this happen, even if it cause's loss of jobs. (Fact) Most people break the law for a reason. I have the solution For Nevada, and all of America when it comes to rehabilitation.

2. MGH Jul. 18, 2010 | 7:16 a.m. Report Abuse

   (It's so Nevada)..... Coming soon in a forum just for you.

3. Rightwinger10 Jul. 15, 2010 | 12:50 a.m. Report Abuse

   I’ve had enough of Skolnik’s and Gibbons shenanigans’. As much as voting Sandoval in will hurt us Officers and staff alike, there will most definitely a “Régime” change. The Director will be replaced by someone more competent to take his position, that person will then in turn replace the inept Wardens and Assistant Wardens whom live by the “Do 8, and hit the gate”, as well as the “Bend over backwards for Inmates” mentality. Skolnik has nothing to lose. He has his retirement from Michigan, he will more than likely receive a severance package from the State for his “Diligent and steadfast dedication” to his Department and Subordinates. (I’m laughing on the inside BTW). But anyway you look at it, leave Public safety alone. Correctional Officers may not be considered as Public safety, but if an Inmate escapes, you better believe it will affect who? What’s that you say? Oh yes, the “PUBLIC”.

4. jg3785 Jul. 14, 2010 | 1:02 p.m. Report Abuse

   Why do the prison workers think they are any better then the rest of the state workers who have had to take furloughs for the last year and will continue to take them for the next year. If they can not take the furlough then reduce their pay checks by the 4.6% that would equal a furlough day.

5. Jack.Schitt Jul. 14, 2010 | 11:11 a.m. Report Abuse

   Let me tell you something about Corrections officers, at this moment they are under-paid for the the risk and dangers they are exposed to. And now you want to tell a single mom who leaves her child to the care and up-bringing of a day care worker that she now has to find another $200.00- $300.00 more a month to cut from her budget. Or a family man who goes to work everyday risking his life barely scrapping by to pay his house payment, oh by-the-way we"re going to take $250.00 out of your next pay check and for the next year therafter. You're going to see a bad trend start to take place. One or more of several things are going to start to develope. Officers are going to start calling off sick at will or the really good officers are going to quit and go somewhere that their talents are appreciated. What does this amount to. Well you tell me when you start hearing of female officers getting assaulted or staff getting arrested for selling drugs inside the prisons or better yet your loved one gets robbed or assaulted because an inmate had to be released early because the staff at the prisons are quitting and their are not enough quality officers to over-see the inmate population- Hope you're not the next victum

6. Dahn.Shaulis Jul. 13, 2010 | 9:16 p.m. Report Abuse

   What the article fails to say is that the State of Nevada is completing an additional 1344 beds at High Desert State Prison--even as the prison population has dropped. I imagine this must have cost more than $100 million.
   
   Nevada could safely downsize its prisons (with no reductions in staff) by diverting low-level drug offenders into treatment (SB398). NSP could have been used as one of the treatment centers. But certain people make too much money constructing these golden gulags.

7. State C/O Jul. 13, 2010 | 8:12 p.m. Report Abuse

   Skolnik is a man that sould be fired and handed his PERs check as he has tried to do to so many of the staff he is susposed to lead. Oh yeah he has fought for us so much. like the time he fought against furloghs but told them we should get a 4.6% pay cut. Thats not fighting for us or the time he took the 12 hour shifts and replaced them with the more expensive 8 hour shifts. Yes people it cost's more for us to work 8's. BTW where is the safety equipment that Keep staff sexual and physical assults at bay. That's right don't have the money for stab vests, OC spray, batons, or working radios but heres a whistle you can use it can be magiacly heard anywhere and it gives your location.

8. williamclarke Jul. 13, 2010 | 6:40 p.m. Report Abuse

   The will close the prison by transferring the inmates to other prisons and the staff like wise leaving minimum custody inmates there and maybe a small staff at NSP. Just watch,