Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center

Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center
Coordinates 36°15′27″N 115°04′37″W / 36.25750°N 115.07694°WCoordinates: 36°15′27″N 115°04′37″W / 36.25750°N 115.07694°W
Status Operational
Security class Minimum to medium
Capacity 950 (171 staff)
Opened September 1, 1997
Former name Southern Nevada Women's Correctional Facility
Managed by Nevada Department of Corrections
Warden Jo Gentry
Street address 4370 Smiley Road
City North Las Vegas
State Nevada
ZIP code 89115-1808
Country United States
Website http://www.doc.nv.gov/node/50

The Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center (FMWCC, originally the Southern Nevada Women's Correctional Facility) in North Las Vegas, Nevada. All custody levels (minimum, medium, etc.) are housed there. It is operated by the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC). It houses the State of Nevada's female death row.[1]

History

The Southern Nevada Women's Correctional Facility opened September 1, 1997. It was built and operated by Corrections Corporation of America.[2] Built for $28 million,[3] it was the first and only privately run prison in the state of Nevada.[4][5] It relieved prisons in Carson City and near Indian Springs. The prison also relieved the Clark County Detention Center. A previous women's facility in Carson City, Warm Springs Correctional Center, was converted to a men's prison after rehabilitation and expansion. The 145,000 square feet (13,500 m2) Southern Nevada Women's facility was built with space to house around 500 inmates. The dedication was scheduled to be held on Saturday September 13, 1997, with inmates being moved in the following week.[4]

In 2003 correctional officer Randy Easter and inmate Korinda Martin engaged in sexual intercourse. A judge sentenced the two to probation.[6] On February 23, 2004, the Corrections Corporation of America said that they would not renew their contract to operate the facility, which expired on October 1, 2004. Officials stated that the company lost over $1 million per year while operating the facility. NDOC solicited bids for another private company to operate the prison; the bids were due on May 4, 2004. State Senator Bob Coffin objected to the idea of another private company receiving a contract to operate the prison.[7] The Nevada Department of Corrections assumed direct control on October 1, 2004.[2] Nevada State Senate Bill 330, which renamed the prison after prisoner advocate Florence McClure, passed unanimously in the Nevada Senate on Thursday April 5, 2007.[8] Florence McClure spoke at the dedication ceremony in November 2007 at which the name was officially changed.

The facility

The current capacity of FMWCC is 888.[2] This number does not include three housing units and new infirmary that were completed in July 2009.

The Warden of FMWCC also oversees operations at the Jean Conservation Camp in Jean, Nevada.

References

  1. ↑ "Lone woman on Nevada's death row dies in prison." Associated Press at North County Times. January 31, 2005. Retrieved on September 5, 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center". Nevada Department of Corrections. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  3. ↑ Puit, Glenn. "Lock and Load." Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 14, 1997. Retrieved on January 6, 2010.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Scott, Cathy. "New women’s prison will help relieve overcrowding." Las Vegas Sun. Friday September 12, 1997. Retrieved on January 6, 2010.
  5. ↑ Whitely, Joan. "Stopping the Revolving Door: Positive Time." Las Vegas Review-Journal. October 1, 2000. Retrieved on January 6, 2010. "Entering its fourth year, it is the only privately run prison in Nevada and ..."
  6. ↑ Puit, Glenn. "Judge doubts inmate story." Las Vegas Review-Journal. Wednesday April 20, 2005. Retrieved on September 29, 2010.
  7. ↑ Vogel, Ed. "Southern Nevada Women's Correctional Facility: Study: Running prison to cost state." Las Vegas Review-Journal. April 1, 2004. Retrieved on January 6, 2010.
  8. ↑ Morrison, Jane Ann. "Jane Ann Morrison: Bill to rename prison honors tireless advocate for female inmates, victims." Las Vegas Review-Journal. April 9, 2007. Retrieved on January 6, 2010.

External links