Criminal Justice + Policing
Proposals on jailhouse informants, lying to children during interrogations advance in Carson City
After Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo signed legislation to rein in the use of jailhouse informants, criminal justice groups are urging him to sign a bill preventing law enforcement from lying to children while they are being interviewed. Both measures, sponsored by Democratic Assemblywoman Cecelia González and supported by the Innocence Project, passed both houses and […]
Lawmakers consider restrictions on using solitary confinement in prisons
Nevada lawmakers are reconsidering limits on how state prisons use solitary confinement after similar legislation failed to pass during the 2021 legislative session. The bill, which defines “segregation” or “solitary confinement” as more than 22 consecutive hours in a cell, would limit the use to 15 consecutive days, after which a multidisciplinary treatment team, including […]
Lawmakers urged to rein in prison costs that put ‘backdoor tax’ on inmates’ families
When state prisons mark up commissary items and charge higher prices, the revenue it receives covers anything from storage and delivery of those goods to staff salaries and substance abuse programs. Nevada Department of Corrections Director James Dzurenda told lawmakers in April that in most states, like Connecticut and New York where he’s previously ran […]
Nevada moves to strengthen protections around use of sexual assault victim DNA
Untold numbers of sexual assault cases nationwide have been solved after DNA evidence linked perpetrators to their crimes, but victims of sexual assault should not have to worry that their own DNA will be used against them. Senate Bill 321 would protect victims of sexual assault from having the DNA they submit as part of […]
State, Las Vegas wrangling delays delivery of forensic mental health services
A plan to convert unused units at the Las Vegas City Jail into psychiatric beds for incarcerated people has been pushed back at least 18 months, according to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH). The city is even less optimistic, saying it can’t provide a timeline until agreements are made with DPBH. […]
Lawmakers slam governor’s office for leaving budget hole in fund for crime victims
Lawmakers scolded the governor’s office for failing to provide a solution to fix a $2.3 million budget shortfall for program that provides financial assistance for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. The fund, which is expected to receive less federal funds this year than anticipated, is at risk of being insolvent during the 2023-2025 biennium […]
After failing in 2021, sponsor revives bill to protect transgender, gender nonconforming inmates
Prison officials told lawmakers Tuesday that, in accordance with federal law, they already have policies to maintain the safety of transgender and gender nonconforming people who are incarcerated. But several people housed within the Nevada Department of Corrections, who provided written testimony about their experiences dealing with abuse by other inmates and staff, said it’s […]
Low wages for prison inmates ‘remnants of slavery,’ says lawmaker seeking to outlaw practice
Nevada inmates may be working for as little as 35 cents an hour and having significant portions of their checks withheld by the Nevada Department of Corrections. State Sen. Dina Neal, D-North Las Vegas, wants to change that. She has introduced Senate Bill 187, which would require the Nevada Department of Corrections to pay inmates […]
‘Rummaging’ through cells prompts allegations of systemic prosecutorial misconduct
A Las Vegas attorney is alleging at least two former Clark County judges allowed severe misconduct to go unchecked for more than a decade by failing to sanction police and prosecutors who she says unlawfully gained access to evidence and privileged communications of inmates at the Clark County Detention Center. Adrian Lobo says homicide detectives, […]
Bills would increase penalties for buying sex, living off earnings of a prostitute
A measure before Nevada lawmakers would allow police to arrest a person for buying sex on the first offense, and double the minimum fine from $400 to $800. A provision that would have changed the offense from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor was removed by Assemblywoman Elaine Marzola (D-Henderson), who sponsored Assembly Bill 145. […]
Students, community leaders demand CCSD officer be fired, charged for violent arrest of 14-year-old
Students and community leaders are calling for the swift termination of a police officer caught on video slamming a Black high school student to the ground and pinning him underneath his knee. During a protest Friday night outside the Clark County School District administrative building, community leaders made several demands, including swift investigation of the […]
Congressional Black Caucus meets with Biden to push for police accountability
WASHINGTON — The Congressional Black Caucus met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Thursday evening to urge the administration to use its executive power for law enforcement reform, following criminal charges for police officers in the killing of a Black man in Memphis, Tennessee. “My hope is this dark memory spurs some […]