Gibbons criticized for plan to close Carson City prison

A plan by Gov. Jim Gibbons to close a century-old prison in Carson City has drawn opposition from lawmakers and prison workers who vowed to try to block the move.

Gibbons announced the plan Thursday to close Nevada State Prison, eliminating about 200 jobs, and relocate more than 650 inmates to other facilities in Nevada. The move would save more than $3 million, Gibbons said.

Department of Corrections Director Howard Skolnik backed the decision, but leading lawmakers and others rejected the idea, saying Gibbons has never shown how closing the prison will save money.

Secretary of State Ross Miller called for an emergency meeting on Wednesday of the Board of Prison Commissioners, which he hopes will vote to block the shutdown.

“The governor is making a very fiscally irresponsible decision that could jeopardize public safety in complete secrecy and without the authority to do it,” Miller said late Thursday.

Miller contends it’s the role of the prison board to make the decision.

The notion of closing the prison has been the subject of controversy for years. Two years ago, the Nevada Spending and Government Efficiency Commission, SAGE, recommended the closure. But legislators have rejected the idea, saying Gibbons, a Republican, has not shown how such a plan would save money.

They argue the costs of relocating and housing prisoners at other facilities could surpass any savings.

Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford and Assembly leader John Oceguera, both D-Las Vegas, on Thursday said they disagree with the governor and will support efforts to keep the facility open.

“We asked during the special session and never received a comprehensive set of facts or figures from the administration,” Horsford said.

“There is no thoughtful plan,” Oceguera said. “In the end, we believe this will end up costing more.”

Skolnik said the closure will help the Department of Corrections meet a furlough requirement that calls for workers to take off 96 hours per year, or one day a month, to save the state money. Nevada officials expect a revenue shortfall of as much as $3 billion by next year.

“Moving our staff around will allow us to provide enough people to do furloughs and keep everything open,” Skolnik said. “This is something I have the authority to do, and the governor has the authority to support, so we are moving forward on it.”

He said the plan is to phase out the prison in Carson City and relocate inmates and workers to other facilities without jeopardizing safety or causing layoffs.

Under the plan Gibbons described Thursday, some parts of the prison would remain open, such as buildings housing a print shop, a license plate-making facility and the execution chamber.

The remaining portions would be closed. The inefficiencies are a waste of taxpayers’ money, Gibbons wrote, “and the safety issues put staff, inmates and the Carson City community at risk.”

Kevin Ranft, a correctional officer at another prison and chairman for the corrections committee of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 4041, disagreed.

He said the shutdown could contribute to overpopulation at other prisons and jeopardize worker safety.

Even if the plan were to go forward despite objections, there are doubts as to whether Gibbons could see it through to fruition.

Earlier this month he lost his primary election to former federal Judge Brian Sandoval. Gibbons’ term ends in January.

The prison plan will take six months or more to complete and at least one gubernatorial candidate, Democrat Rory Reid, has said he would not follow through on the closure.

“Rory would fight to keep the prison open. Those jobs are vital to Carson City and the surrounding area,” Reid spokesman Mike Trask said. “We also do not know the impact closing this prison would have on public safety.”

Sandoval said through a spokesperson he supports the SAGE commission recommendation to close the prison.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.