Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Subcommittee considers funding new death chamber for Ely prison

CARSON CITY — Nevada has not held an execution since April 2006. But the state Department of Corrections is again pushing for a new death chamber at Ely's maximum security prison.

On Wednesday Department Director Greg Cox told a budget subcommittee there are no executions currently scheduled. Still, a delay in approving $829,178 would mean the project will not be completed until 2019.

The plan was rejected by the 2013 Legislature. Executions were carried out at the now-closed Nevada State Prison in Carson City. And Cox said that could still be used but money would have to be spent to get the chamber in operation.

Sen. Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, made her first appearance at the Legislature since her cancer surgery. She was greeted with a round of applause when she entered the subcommittee hearing.

Cox said the state would have 60-90 days to carry out an execution under the law after the court appeals process is completed.

The plan has been endorsed by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

Cox argued that the execution chamber should be located where the death row inmates are housed in Ely.

Subcommittee Chairman Assemblyman Pat Hickey called this “Déjà vu, all over again.” He questioned why the estimated cost has gone up 20 percent since 2013. A representative of the state Public Works Board said that as the economy continues to recover the costs are rising. And if the project is not approved this session, the cost in 2017 would be $1 million.

Cox said there was still a lot of litigation being pursued by these condemned men. And he said Nevada faces the same problem as other states in finding the types of drugs to carry out an execution.

The subcommittee was told this proposed death chamber was patterned after the one at Northern California's San Quentin Prison, which has been approved by the court.

This was the first project reviewed by the subcommittee that is examining the proposed construction budget for the next two years.

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