Judges call for youth prison inspectors

Nevada's judges want the Legislature and governor to create an independent office to inspect and monitor juvenile prisons and detention facilities in Nevada.

Washoe District Judge Frances Doherty told a legislative committee studying juvenile justice on Tuesday that the state's district judges will meet Friday to discuss a resolution calling for creation of a corps of independent inspectors to watch over juvenile facilities.

Appearing on behalf of Washoe Chief Judge Jim Hardesty, she said the need for some oversight has been there for a long time but was brought into focus by problems at the Nevada Youth Training Center in Elko. Federal investigators found instances where the staff had physically and psychologically abused youthful offenders housed in Elko.

Doherty said the draft resolution deals with state youth facilities but that she and some other judges believe it should be expanded to include to include county facilities and private residential institutions that provide mental health services for juveniles.

"I would suggest this entity oversee all placements of children who are ordered there by court," she said.

The resolution suggests creation of an independent office to oversee conditions in juvenile facilities and giving its inspectors the power to visit without warning and to interview juveniles in private to determine what conditions are like. She said it could be located in the governor's office and could either contract with experts to handle inspections at different types of facilities or have a staff of independent inspectors.

Study committee chairwoman Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, said one question the judges should consider is how the office would be funded. She and Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, pointed out that the burden could be difficult for small rural counties.

Anderson also asked whether those costs would be increased by a U.S. Supreme Court decision saying states are not immune from provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and must provide for special needs.

"I think this creates an impossible burden for other counties in the state other than Washoe and Clark," he said.

Doherty said she hadn't reviewed that decision but agreed many of the children in the juvenile system have special needs. She said the preliminary resolution drafted by the judges contemplates the state would pick up any costs.

Richard Siegel, president of Nevada's American Civil Liberties Union, said his organization supports the idea.

Contact Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.