Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Nearly half of Nevada prisoners vaccinated against COVID-19

High Desert State Prison

AP Photo / John Locher

This April 15, 2015, photo shows guard towers at High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs.

Almost half the state’s prison inmates have been vaccinated against COVID-19, the Nevada Department of Corrections said today. As of Tuesday, 5,187 offenders at 16 facilities had received at least a first dose.

Facility vaccination rates range from 24% at High Desert State Prison outside Las Vegas to 100% at transitional housing compounds in Las Vegas and Reno.

More than 10 vaccine clinics are scheduled in the next two weeks at facilities statewide, including High Desert, Nevada’s largest prison.

“We are pleased so many offenders have prioritized their health and the health of others around them,” Charles Daniels, Nevada Department of Corrections director, said in a statement. “We are proud of our staff and grateful to our community partners for successfully vaccinating such a large group in a relatively short time.”

The department started rolling out vaccinations in early March, beginning with the oldest inmates.

Increased vaccination rates will lead to decreased restrictions on visitation, which resumed with limitations this month after being suspended for more than a year, officials said. Once an institution reaches an 80% vaccination rate, visitation will resume by appointment at pre-pandemic levels.