Correctional Institutions in Nevada: General Provisions

NRS Chapter 208 – Overview of Correctional Institutions in Nevada

To ensure the effective oversight and management of prisoners, parolees, etc. the Nevada legislature passed a series of statutes that empowered the Nevada Department of Corrections with handling an array of issues associated with inmate management. The objective of the Department of Corrections is to enhance public safety by ensuring a safe and humane environment that incorporates rehabilitation initiatives that prepare individuals for successful reintegration into our communities. The stated goals of the Department are as follows:

• Operate the department according to best practices.
• Ensure the best use of department resources.
• Educate stakeholders and customers.
• Improve overall communication.

Here is a list of the correctional facilities currently in Nevada:

• Ely State Prison
• Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center
• High Desert State Prison
• Lovelock Correctional Center
• Northern Nevada Correctional Center
• Southern Desert Correctional Center
• Warm Springs Correctional Center

In addition to correctional facilities, Nevada is home to conservation camps and transitional housing, including:

• Carlin Conservation Camp
• Ely Conservation Camp
• Humboldt Conservation Camp
• Jean Conservation Camp
• Pioche Conservation Camp
• Stewart Conservation Camp
• Three Lakes Valley Boot Camp
• Three Lakes Valley Conservation Camp
• Tonopah Conservation Camp
• Wells Conservation Camp
• Casa Grande Transitional Housing
• Northern Nevada Transitional Housing

Definitions within Chapter 208 of the Nevada Revised Statutes You Need to Know

1. Boat – steamer, ship, or other floatable, operational structure built for navigation or movement from one place to another by water – NRS 208.025
2. Bond – an undertaking – NRS 208.035
3. Judge – every and any judicial officer that the state of Nevada has authorized, whether with others or alone, to preside over or hold court – NRS 208.045
4. Knowingly – to do something or fail to do something with the knowledge that certain things are true — A person does not have to know if something is specifically listed as unlawful to “knowingly” break the law. Having knowledge of some facts automatically infer that the person would ordinarily know the others. – NRS 208.055
5. Public Officer/ Officer – all officers, employees, and members of:
   1. • Nevada;
      • Any county, city, or other political subdivision of Nevada;
      • Any quasi-public or public corporation of Nevada or any other special district of the state; or
      • Anyone assuming to exercise or exercising the functions or powers of a public officer. – NRS 208.065
6. Prison – any building that the state has legally designated for holding prisoners – NRS 208.075
7. Prisoner – any person held under lawful arrest or that has been placed in the custody of the law and placed under the due process of the law – NRS 208.085
8. Writing – printing – NRS 208.095

Existing Civil Rights

According to NRS 208.135, these laws cannot be taken and misconstrued to affect the civil rights of any person. It cannot be misconstrued to affect any remedy that might be existing under common law or statute.

Existing Civil Remedies

According to NRS 208.145, if Chapter 208 of the Nevada Revised Statutes does not explicitly list a liability of damages, forfeiture, penalty, or other punishment, it does not mean it cannot be enforced. If this title does not explicitly list something that can be enforced or recovered in any proceeding or civil action, it does not mean it cannot be recovered or enforced. We cannot specifically list every detail.

Existing Authorities

This section of the Nevada Revised Statutes, according to NRS 208.155, does not make any changes to the power legally conferred upon any military authority or officer. This title does not affect their right to court-martial, inflict, or impose punishment upon those who break their rules. It, also, does not affect any authority that has been legally given to the public body, officer, or tribunal to inflict or impose punishment for a contempt.

Execution of Instrument

Lastly, when a prisoner signs a document on the line under the declaration, “under penalty of perjury,” it will have the same legal effect as if that prisoner had sworn to its truth or acknowledged it before a notary or other person who is legally authorized to administer oaths, according to NRS 208.165.