Audit critical of prison corrections system

By Cy Ryan

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 | 3:58 p.m.

Health care for Nevada’s more than 13,000 prison inmates compares favorably with other states, but there are some lapses, according to a legislative audit.

The audit found inmates at the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center and the Southern Nevada Correctional Center, both in Clark County, did not receive on-site dental treatment for more than six months because the dental chair was broken.

“The lack of adequate equipment caused delays in dental treatment and created unnecessary security risks when inmates were transported to other facilities for treatment,” reported deputy legislative auditor Lee Pierson.

Inmates asking for medical care can submit a written request. But the audit found these so-called “kites” were not always reviewed daily by the health care staff. The audit said six of the nine prisons lacked documentation to verify the requests were reviewed in a timely manner.

The audit, presented to the Legislative Commissions Audit Subcommittee, covered the educational, health, grievance and rehabilitation programs.

The prison system spent $40.2 million on medical care for inmates last fiscal year. But that figure is being cut because of the decline in tax revenues.

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, questioned whether mental health treatment for inmates was adequate. She referred to a federal report that the inmates were not properly assessed for mental health treatment.

Howard Skolnik, director of the state Corrections Department, said inmates are given a quick mental health examination, but staffing to address the problem is an issue.

There are 2,500 prisoners with some mental health problems, Skolnik said. “We don’t have the resources to manage this,” he said.

The audit found the prisons have behavioral and educational programs similar to those provided in other states. But they aren’t evaluated to determine if they are the best way to prepare inmates to successfully re-enter society.

Skolnik said it was better to deliver the service then to monitor and evaluate them with the limited staff.

Nevada, according to the audit, provides more educational opportunities than most other states. Inmates can earn both a high school diploma and a general education development certificate. Of 13 states surveyed, Nevada and three others are the only ones that permit a prisoner to earn both a high school diploma and a GED.

The audit recommended the prison system increase its vocational education programs. And it found that female inmates do not have the same vocational opportunities as males.

The audit also said the grievance process for inmates could be improved. Prison staff does not always review the complaint in a timely manner, according to the audit.

For instance, 33 percent of the 126 grievances audited were reviewed past the 25 day deadline called for in prison regulations. But the examination said other states generally allow more time to respond to grievances than Nevada. On the average other states allow 31 days.