Prisons chief says closure would save state $16.1 million

CARSON CITY – Closing the aging Nevada State Prison in Carson City would save $16.1 million in the next two fiscal years, correctional officials say.

Greg Cox, director of the state Department of Corrections, told a legislative budget subcommittee Wednesday that the prison is the oldest one west of the Mississippi River, and the potential closure “is one of the toughest decisions I have had to make.”

But Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, said the proposed closure was rejected in 2009 because there was no plan dealing with inmate capacity, and medical and security issues.

“We need answers before we decide,” Horsford said.

There are about 730 inmates at the prison, Cox said. And there are 672 vacant beds in two vacant units at the High Desert State Prison in Southern Nevada. The rest of the inmates could be placed in other prisons.  More...    PrisonerPal.com