LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Keeping inmates behind bars is going to cost even more money at a prison about 45 minutes north of Las Vegas.
But FOX5 learned how safety isn’t just an issue on the outside, but inside of the facility as well.
The Southern Desert Correctional Center is getting an additional $2 million to beef up exterior security measures.
Part of the reason, two years ago there was a high-profile escape from that prison that FOX5 covered extensively, and a big reason for more money, according to Nevada Department of Corrections Director, James Dzurenda.
“The real exacerbation of this was actually an escape that happened in September of ’22 where a convicted bomber actually escaped over the fence line,” Dzurenda said.
That convicted murderer, Porfirio Duarte-Herrera was serving a life sentence at the Southern Desert Correctional Center when he escaped in the fall of 2022.
The Luxor garage pipe bomber said overcrowding and unmanned towers led to his escape.
The escape sparking lots of conversation about prison staffing and security.
That prison has just shy of 200 Protective Service Staff, but can house around 2,150 offenders.
Now more safety improvements are on the way thanks to electrified exterior fencing.
“The State Public Works Division requests to modify the funding, which is an upgrade perimeter security fence,” said Wil Lewis, the Administrator of the State of Public Works Division.
The motion carried unanimously. But the head of a local law enforcement union who used to work at that prison says the problems also lie inside the walls.
Take it from Paul Lunkwitz who was with the Nevada Department of Corrections for over 20 years, and worked at the Southern Desert Correctional Center as well as High Desert State Prison across the street in Indian Springs.
“You saw what happened in Southern Desert unit five a couple years ago, right? A riot that jumped off there. Notoriously, not a very secure facility,” Lunkwitz said.
Here’s what he said about safety there. “So in general, you’re always outnumbered, in corrections, right? But when you’re outnumbered 204 to one in a unit that you run by yourself, and then they want you to do unit operations, like walking up and down the tiers. I’m talking about Southern Desert, and I don’t think you’d find many people to argue that it’s very safe,” Lunkwitz said.
FOX5 previously reported on NDOC workers getting raises to attract and retain more officers, as well as upgrades at NDOC facilities around the state.
Speaking of safety, High Desert State Prison just across the street already has a high-voltage electric fence, and some of that money is going there, too.
This project also includes underground piping replacement at High Desert State Prison, along with door and lock replacements with a focus on safety.
FOX5 reached out to NDOC to get answers on the ratio of security guards to prisoners at the Southern Desert Correctional Center, and we will update this story when we hear back.
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