Board of Examiners writes off prison debt

The Board of Examiners voted Tuesday to write off $186,613 in debt from the state prison system's accounts.

Deputy Corrections Director Darrel Rexwinkel told the board the total accumulated over 10 years ending in 1998 and includes "inmate incurred expenses" and settlements from disciplinary actions. He said the money simply can't be collected from inmates who don't have it.

Gov. Kenny Guinn and Attorney General Brian Sandoval asked whether prison officials could get more from the money inmates make off prison jobs.

"After we take victims of crime money, child support, room and board and all that, they don't have much left," said Rexwinkel. "We do not take more than 80 percent of what an inmate makes."

The board, which also includes Secretary of State Dean Heller, also voted to take $19,374 out of contingency funds to meet the required 25 percent federal match to implement phase two of the state emergency operations center project. That money will get the state a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant of $77,495 to buy security equipment, computer printers, a shredder, phones, locks and sound-proof doors.

The board also approved 240 contracts needed by state agencies to start the new fiscal year July 1.