Foes speak out on plan to relieve prison crowding

CARSON CITY — Victims rights groups and a sheriffs association on Tuesday opposed a Nevada plan to increase good-time credits for inmates in efforts to relieve costly prison crowding.

Chief Justice James Hardesty argued for the bill and offered amendments that he said would make clear there will be no "chaotic release of inmates on the public."

"The bill, as amended, contemplates a careful, responsible review of inmates who would be appropriate for review, and later supervision outside of the prison setting, who have earned the right to seek early parole release," Hardesty said.

The bill also could allow more prisoners to be released to drug courts, which Hardesty said are underutilized. He said the bill could allow for up to 1,200 prisoners to go before the parole board for release.

The measure is a key part of lawmakers’ efforts to cut costs for the state’s prison system.

Assembly Bill 510 came from a committee that looked at parole and probation procedures. It would allow for more good-time credits to be used for reducing sentences of prisoners, increase the number of prisoners eligible for home confinement, and change programs for prisoners re-entering society.

Frank Adams of the Nevada Sheriff’s and Chief’s Association opposed the bill, saying it would have a huge impact on communities around prisons, adding that there already aren’t enough parole officers to properly supervise parolees.

Assemblyman David Parks, D-Las Vegas, said there would be no such influx of convicts, because the cases for each prisoner would be reviewed closely and carefully.

Gayle Farley of the Alliance for Victims Rights argued that releasing prisoners would put victims’ families at risk.