[Rev. 6/29/2024 3:16:36 PM--2023]
CHAPTER 209 - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
DEFINITIONS
NRS 209.011 Definitions.
NRS 209.021 “Board” defined.
NRS 209.031 “Classification” defined.
NRS 209.041 “Custody” defined.
NRS 209.051 “Department” defined.
NRS 209.061 “Director” defined.
NRS 209.062 “Disciplinary segregation” defined.
NRS 209.065 “Facility” defined.
NRS 209.067 “Gender non-binary” defined.
NRS 209.068 “Gender non-conforming” defined.
NRS 209.069 “General population” defined.
NRS 209.071 “Institution” defined.
NRS 209.072 “Intersex” defined.
NRS 209.075 “Manager” defined.
NRS 209.077 “Medical Director” defined.
NRS 209.081 “Offender” defined.
NRS 209.083 “Private facility or institution” defined.
NRS 209.084 “Serious mental illness or other significant mental impairment” defined.
NRS 209.0843 “Solitary confinement” defined.
NRS 209.0847 “Transgender” defined.
NRS 209.085 “Warden” defined.
ADMINISTRATION OF DEPARTMENT
NRS 209.101 Department created; Board of State Prison Commissioners.
NRS 209.111 Powers and duties of Board.
NRS 209.116 Board to adopt regulations establishing maximum number of prisoners who may be incarcerated in private facility or institution.
NRS 209.121 Director: Appointment; qualifications; salary; other employment prohibited.
NRS 209.131 Director: General duties.
NRS 209.1315 Director: Training of correctional staff.
NRS 209.132 Director: Delegation of power, duty or function.
NRS 209.134 Director: Submission to county clerk of list of offenders released from prison or discharged from parole.
NRS 209.136 Director: Notification of Legislature regarding certain matters.
NRS 209.141 Agreements with governmental agencies and private organizations.
NRS 209.151 Deputy directors: Appointment; duties; other employment prohibited.
NRS 209.153 Deputy Director for Industrial Programs: Retirement benefits.
NRS 209.161 Wardens of institutions: Appointment; duties.
NRS 209.181 Officers and employees residing at institution or facility: Charges and perquisites; notice to Legislature.
NRS 209.183 Travel expenses authorized for certain employees at specified correctional centers and conservation camps; exceptions.
NRS 209.189 Fund for Prison Industries.
NRS 209.192 Fund for New Construction of Facilities for Prison Industries.
NRS 209.194 Silver State Industries Endowment Fund.
NRS 209.221 Offenders’ Store Fund; statement of offender’s financial situation; criminal penalties relating to concealment of assets and provision of false or misleading financial information.
NRS 209.225 Investment and disbursement of interest and income of Offenders’ Store Fund.
NRS 209.229 Operation of vending machines in visitors’ areas; profits from operation to be deposited in Offenders’ Store Fund.
NRS 209.231 Deposit of money received from operation of conservation camp into Division of Forestry Account; powers and duties of State Forester Firewarden.
NRS 209.234 Regulations governing personal property of offenders.
NRS 209.235 Regulations governing operation of commissary in institution or facility.
NRS 209.239 Adoption of policy by warden or manager concerning personal property of offenders.
NRS 209.241 Safekeeping of money and valuables of offenders: Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund; duties of Director; withdrawals by offenders; monthly statement; disbursement of interest and income; penalties; exemptions.
NRS 209.243 Administrative claim by prisoner for loss of personal property, property damage, personal injuries or other claims; regulations.
NRS 209.244 Attorney General may establish program for mediating complaints from offenders; duties.
NRS 209.2445 Office of the Ombudsperson for Offenders: Establishment; appointment of Ombudsperson; powers and duties of Ombudsperson; funding; access to information.
NRS 209.246 Deductions from individual account of offender.
NRS 209.247 Deductions from individual account of offender: Limitation on deductions; order of priority.
NRS 209.2473 Regulations regarding deductions.
NRS 209.2475 Deductions from individual account of offender: Limitations; disposition of remaining money upon release of offender; reduction or elimination; transmittal.
NRS 209.248 Account for disbursements to offenders: Establishment; use; reimbursement.
NRS 209.249 Package program for offenders: Establishment; prohibition on participation.
NRS 209.251 Books and papers kept by Board or Director: Inspection; delivery to successors.
NRS 209.253 Treatment of offenders with human immunodeficiency virus.
NRS 209.254 Department to provide list of persons eligible for parole.
TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSFER OF OFFENDERS
NRS 209.261 Transportation of offender to appropriate institution or facility.
NRS 209.273 Unnecessary expense not allowed; offenders transported collectively.
NRS 209.274 Transportation of offender to appear before court.
NRS 209.2745 Payment for transportation of offender to appear as witness in action for small claims.
NRS 209.276 Reimbursement for transportation of witness in action by offender concerning civil rights.
NRS 209.281 Temporary interstate transportation.
NRS 209.291 Transfer of offenders: Within Department; to other governmental agencies; between United States and foreign country.
NRS 209.293 Transfer of offender to correctional institution of another state.
NRS 209.301 Transfer of minors to state facility for detention of children.
NRS 209.311 Transfer of persons detained in local facility to institution or facility of Department for safekeeping.
NRS 209.321 Transfer of offender for psychiatric observation or treatment.
NRS 209.331 Medical evaluation or treatment of offender outside institution or facility.
CUSTODY, CARE AND EDUCATION OF OFFENDERS
NRS 209.341 Director to establish system of initial classification and evaluation for offenders; assignment of offender to appropriate institution or facility of Department; administration of risk and needs assessment; validation study.
NRS 209.345 Director to establish system to track expenses related to housing youthful offenders; report regarding expenses tracked by system.
NRS 209.351 Director to establish system of ongoing classification and evaluation for offenders and to maintain records.
NRS 209.3515 Director may request or provide medical or mental health records of certain offenders.
NRS 209.3517 Director may apply for determination of eligibility for Medicaid on behalf of offender.
NRS 209.352 Director may establish system for offender management.
NRS 209.353 Department to collect and submit information regarding offenders to Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History.
NRS 209.354 Department to monitor each private facility or institution which houses prisoners who are incarcerated pursuant to authority of another state; reimbursement for costs of such monitoring.
NRS 209.356 Director to establish program of regimental discipline.
NRS 209.358 Director to adopt regulations regarding offenders who are transgender, gender non-conforming, gender non-binary and intersex.
NRS 209.361 Director to adopt regulations and penalties for violations.
NRS 209.362 Adoption of policy for interactions between male correctional staff member and woman who is incarcerated; requirements of policy.
NRS 209.365 Director to establish program to prevent offenders from possessing or receiving certain publications.
NRS 209.367 Director to establish program for testing of offenders for use of alcohol and controlled substances.
NRS 209.368 Solitary confinement: Regulations.
NRS 209.3683 Solitary confinement: Limitation on placement of offender in solitary confinement; removal of offender from solitary confinement; rights and privileges of offender placed in solitary confinement.
NRS 209.3685 Solitary confinement: Continuation of placement of offender in solitary confinement; limitations; review of and individualized treatment plan for offender; removal of offender from solitary confinement upon request; report; recording of review; retention of certain documents.
NRS 209.369 Limitation on imposition of disciplinary segregation; placement in solitary confinement for safety of offender; procedure for imposition of disciplinary segregation; requirement for psychological evaluation; request for release; conditions of disciplinary segregation.
NRS 209.371 Corporal punishment and inhumane treatment prohibited.
NRS 209.375 Care of offender who is pregnant: Access to certain services required; adoption of certain policies concerning care of offenders who are pregnant required; regulations.
NRS 209.376 Care of offender who is pregnant: Limitations on use of restraints on offender who is in labor, delivering her baby or in the postpartum period; report.
NRS 209.381 Diet, housing and hygiene of offenders; medical and dental services of institutions and facilities.
NRS 209.3813 Access to prescription medication.
NRS 209.3814 Completion of medical release of information form by offender; notification of certain persons if offender is hospitalized for or diagnosed with critical medical condition.
NRS 209.3815 Autopsy of offenders.
NRS 209.3817 Care of women in custody: Completion of form at intake; access to certain services; provision of feminine hygiene products; regulations.
NRS 209.382 Chief Medical Officer to examine and report on medical and dental services, diet of offenders, sanitation and safety in institutions and facilities.
NRS 209.3825 Order by court affecting conditions of confinement of prisoner; Director entitled to notice and opportunity to be heard; exception.
NRS 209.387 Legislative findings and declarations regarding programs for education of offenders.
NRS 209.389 Board to establish programs for general education, vocational education and training and other rehabilitation.
NRS 209.391 Director to administer programs of education, training and rehabilitation, to establish programs for counseling, research, statistics and planning and to purchase textbooks.
NRS 209.392 Residential confinement: Duration; notification to victim; eligibility; violation of terms or conditions; status; restitution.
NRS 209.3923 Residential confinement or other appropriate supervision of certain older offenders: Eligibility; notification to victim; effect of violation of terms and conditions; status; restitution.
NRS 209.3925 Residential confinement or other appropriate supervision of offenders who are physically incapacitated or in ill health: Eligibility; request for medical release; duration; notice; notification to victim; effect of violation of terms or conditions; status; restitution.
NRS 209.393 Regulations regarding literacy of offenders.
NRS 209.396 Limitations on assignment of offender to industrial or vocational school; educational requirements for offender with developmental, learning or other disability.
NRS 209.401 Director may establish facilities for offenders to live in community.
NRS 209.417 Use of authorized telecommunications devices by offenders; regulations.
NRS 209.419 Interception of offender’s communications by telecommunications devices: Notice; exceptions.
NRS 209.422 Visitation of offenders: Regulations.
NRS 209.423 Visits and correspondence between offenders and others: Rights of offenders; warden or manager required to provide certain notice relating to denial of prospective visitor or cancellation of visit; regulations.
NRS 209.42303 Institution or facility required to provide offender with access to certain mail; procedure for exemption from requirement.
NRS 209.42305 Prisoner contact with child of prisoner; use of equipment for videoconference.
TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS WITH ALCOHOL OR OTHER SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
Programs of Treatment for Offenders with Substance Use or Co-Occurring Disorders
NRS 209.4231 Definitions.
NRS 209.42315 “Co-occurring disorder” defined.
NRS 209.4232 “Division” defined.
NRS 209.4233 “Program of aftercare” defined.
NRS 209.42335 “Program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders” defined.
NRS 209.4234 “Substance use disorder” defined.
NRS 209.4236 Director to establish programs of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders.
NRS 209.4237 Program to evaluate offenders for participation in program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders; assignment to participate in program of treatment.
NRS 209.4238 Programs of aftercare.
NRS 209.4239 Removal from program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or program of aftercare; Director may establish conditions, sanctions and incentives regarding participation; immunity.
NRS 209.424 Offenders excluded from participation.
NRS 209.4242 Director may contract with qualified persons.
NRS 209.4244 Report by Director to Legislature.
Program of Medication-Assisted Treatment
NRS 209.4247 Establishment of program; eligibility to participate in program; participants not subject to discipline on certain bases.
Program for Treatment of Certain Offenders Imprisoned for Driving Under Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Controlled Substance
NRS 209.425 Establishment of program; program to include rehabilitation, education and counseling; assignment of wages.
NRS 209.427 Assignment of offender to program; withdrawal of offender from program.
NRS 209.429 Director to assign offender to serve term of residential confinement under certain circumstances; notice to victim; effect of violating terms or conditions of residential confinement; status; restitution.
DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR PROBATION VIOLATORS
NRS 209.4291 Establishment of program; duties of Department; condition of participation in program.
NRS 209.4293 Court authorized to remand probation violator to program for supervision and to receive treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder or for a mental illness; eligibility for treatment.
NRS 209.4295 Payment of cost of supervision and treatment; performance of community service as contribution toward cost; issuance of judgment for unpaid costs.
NRS 209.4297 Release of probationer from supervision; completion of remaining or additional period of probation; revocation of probation.
NRS 209.4299 Submission of report concerning probationers participating in program.
CREDITS ON TERM OF IMPRISONMENT
NRS 209.432 Definitions.
NRS 209.433 Credits for offender sentenced on or before June 30, 1969.
NRS 209.443 Credits for offender sentenced after June 30, 1969, for crime committed before July 1, 1985.
NRS 209.446 Credits for offender sentenced for crime committed on or after July 1, 1985, but before July 17, 1997.
NRS 209.4465 Credits for offender sentenced for crime committed on or after July 17, 1997. [Effective through June 30, 2025.]
NRS 209.4465 Credits for offender sentenced for crime committed on or after July 17, 1997, but before July 1, 2025. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
NRS 209.4467 Credits for complying with programming and placement identified in risk and needs assessment; duties of Director relating to provision of credit; regulations. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
NRS 209.447 Credits for offender sentenced after June 30, 1991, for crime committed before July 1, 1985, and released on parole.
NRS 209.4475 Credits for offender on parole as of January 1, 2004, or released on parole on or after January 1, 2004. [Effective through June 30, 2025.]
NRS 209.4475 Credits for offender on parole as of January 1, 2004, or released on parole on or after January 1, 2004. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
NRS 209.4477 Credits for offender incarcerated during state of emergency due to communicable or infectious disease. [Effective through June 30, 2025.]
NRS 209.4477 Credits for offender incarcerated during state of emergency due to communicable or infectious disease. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
NRS 209.448 Credits for completion of program of treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder. [Effective through June 30, 2025.]
NRS 209.448 Credits for completion of program of treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
NRS 209.449 Credits for completion of vocational education and training or other program. [Effective through June 30, 2025.]
NRS 209.449 Credits for completion of vocational education and training or other program. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
NRS 209.4495 Limitation on amount of credit offender may earn.
NRS 209.451 Forfeiture and restoration of credits.
NRS 209.453 Expedited resolution of challenge to computation of time served.
EMPLOYMENT OF OFFENDERS
NRS 209.457 Program for operating conservation camps.
NRS 209.459 Employment of offenders: Report on potential impacts of new program; program for employment in services and manufacturing; submission of contract related to new program for approval.
NRS 209.461 Duties and powers of Director; requirements for programs for employment of offenders; prohibited types of vocational training, employment and businesses; determination of profit of program of employment; no right of offender to employment or minimum wage.
NRS 209.4615 Offender to obtain approval of Director for employment, contractual activity or business activity; private employment of offender.
NRS 209.462 Director to provide secure facility for production of license plates.
NRS 209.463 Deductions from wages earned by offender during incarceration; limitation on deductions; priority of deductions.
NRS 209.471 Offender may be allowed to participate in program beneficial to community.
NRS 209.481 Assignment of offender to institution or facility of minimum security.
INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
NRS 209.4815 Procedure for emergency purchase of supplies, materials or equipment.
NRS 209.4818 Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary: Duties relating to industrial programs.
RESTITUTION TO VICTIMS
NRS 209.4827 Centers to house offenders.
NRS 209.4829 Assignment of offender to center.
NRS 209.4831 Deduction from wages of offender for living expenses.
NRS 209.4837 Agreement for assignment and distribution of wages of offender; schedule of restitution.
NRS 209.4841 Distribution of earnings of offender.
NRS 209.4843 Termination of payments of restitution.
PROGRAMS OF REENTRY INTO COMMUNITY
NRS 209.4871 Definitions.
NRS 209.4873 “Correctional program” defined.
NRS 209.4874 “Division” defined.
NRS 209.4877 “Judicial program” defined.
NRS 209.488 “Reentry court” defined.
NRS 209.4883 Judicial program: Establishment; assignment of offenders; supervision of offenders.
NRS 209.4886 Participation in judicial program: Referral of offender to reentry court; powers and duties of Director; regulations; reimbursement of costs; effect of violation of terms and conditions; status of offender.
NRS 209.4887 Correctional program: Establishment; assignment of offenders; restitution.
NRS 209.4888 Participation in correctional program: Suitability of offender; powers and duties of Director; regulations; reimbursement of costs; effect of violation of terms and conditions; status of offender.
NRS 209.4889 Powers and duties of Director: Contracting for certain services for offenders or parolees in correctional or judicial program; providing referrals and information regarding services; applying for and accepting gifts and grants.
RELEASE OR ESCAPE OF OFFENDER
NRS 209.492 Status while participating in work or educational release program or other assignment.
NRS 209.501 Temporary furloughs.
NRS 209.511 Duties and authorized actions of Director relating to release of offenders from prison; payment of costs.
NRS 209.517 Notice to Department of Motor Vehicles when certain offenders have completed period of imprisonment or are placed on residential confinement.
NRS 209.521 Notification of victim of escape or release of offender.
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DEFINITIONS
NRS 209.011 Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 209.021 to 209.085, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 845; A 1983, 719; 1987, 1019; 2001, 2391; 2009, 2821; 2017, 356; 2023, 722, 2430)
NRS 209.021 “Board” defined. “Board” means the Board of State Prison Commissioners as defined by Section 21 of Article 5 of the Nevada Constitution.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 845)
NRS 209.031 “Classification” defined. “Classification” means the process of individual case evaluation to determine the custody and program needs of the individual offender.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 845)
NRS 209.041 “Custody” defined. “Custody” means the level of security restrictions imposed on an offender by a classification committee.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 845)
NRS 209.051 “Department” defined. “Department” means the Department of Corrections.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 845; A 2001 Special Session, 192)
NRS 209.061 “Director” defined. “Director” means the Director of the Department.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 845; A 2001 Special Session, 192)
NRS 209.062 “Disciplinary segregation” defined. “Disciplinary segregation” means the separation of an offender from the general population for a specified period of time when an offender has committed a serious violation of the rules of a facility or institution.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2427)
NRS 209.065 “Facility” defined. “Facility” means a community correctional center, conservation camp, facility of minimum security or other place of confinement, other than an institution, operated by the Department for the custody, care or training of offenders.
(Added to NRS by 1983, 719; A 1991, 216)
NRS 209.067 “Gender non-binary” defined. “Gender non-binary” means a person whose gender identity does not conform to the traditional gender binary of male and female.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 721)
NRS 209.068 “Gender non-conforming” defined. “Gender non-conforming” means a person whose gender characteristics or behaviors do not conform to those characteristics or behaviors traditionally associated with the biological sex of the person.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 721)
NRS 209.069 “General population” defined. “General population” means the status of offenders who are incarcerated and do not have a special status, including, without limitation, a status of solitary confinement.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2427)
NRS 209.071 “Institution” defined. “Institution” means a prison designed to house 125 or more offenders within a secure perimeter.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 845; A 1983, 719)
NRS 209.072 “Intersex” defined. “Intersex” means a condition in which a person is born with external genitals, internal reproductive organs, chromosome patterns or an endocrine system that does not conform to the traditional gender binary of male or female.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 722)
NRS 209.075 “Manager” defined. “Manager” means the administrative officer in charge of a facility.
(Added to NRS by 1983, 719)
NRS 209.077 “Medical Director” defined. “Medical Director” means the designated administrative officer of the Department who is responsible for the medical treatment of offenders.
(Added to NRS by 2017, 356)
NRS 209.081 “Offender” defined. “Offender” means any person convicted of a crime under the laws of this State and sentenced to imprisonment in the state prison.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 845)
NRS 209.083 “Private facility or institution” defined. “Private facility or institution” means a facility or institution operated by a private organization to house prisoners.
(Added to NRS by 2009, 2820)
NRS 209.084 “Serious mental illness or other significant mental impairment” defined.
1. “Serious mental illness or other significant mental impairment” means:
(a) A mental, behavioral or emotional disorder that results in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities; or
(b) A diagnosis of an intellectual disability, as defined in NRS 435.007.
2. The term includes, without limitation, a diagnosis of major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or borderline personality disorder.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2427)
NRS 209.0843 “Solitary confinement” defined. “Solitary confinement” means the housing of an offender in a location where the offender is restricted to a cell for at least 22 hours per day for the purpose of separating the offender from the general population for the:
1. Protection of:
(a) The health or safety of the offender from other offenders; or
(b) The life or property of the staff or other offenders; or
2. Security or orderly operation of the facility or institution.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2428)
NRS 209.0847 “Transgender” defined. “Transgender” means a person whose gender identity or expression differs from the sex assigned to the person at birth.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 722)
NRS 209.085 “Warden” defined. “Warden” means the administrative officer in charge of an institution.
(Added to NRS by 1983, 719)
ADMINISTRATION OF DEPARTMENT
NRS 209.101 Department created; Board of State Prison Commissioners.
1. The Department of Corrections is hereby created.
2. The head of the Department is the Board of State Prison Commissioners.
3. The Governor is the President of the Board. The Secretary of State is the Secretary of the Board.
4. Any two members of the Board constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
5. The Secretary shall keep full and correct records of all the transactions and proceedings of the Board.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 845; A 2001 Special Session, 192)
NRS 209.111 Powers and duties of Board. The Board has full control of all grounds, buildings, labor, and property of the Department, and shall:
1. Purchase, or cause to be purchased, all commissary supplies, materials and tools necessary for any lawful purpose carried on at any institution or facility of the Department.
2. Regulate the number of officers and employees of the Department.
3. Prescribe regulations for carrying on the business of the Board and the Department.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 845; A 1979, 888; 1983, 719)
NRS 209.116 Board to adopt regulations establishing maximum number of prisoners who may be incarcerated in private facility or institution.
1. To ensure the safety of the residents of the State of Nevada, the Board shall adopt regulations establishing the maximum number of prisoners who may be incarcerated in a private facility or institution. The regulations must be based upon the standards adopted by the American Correctional Association or its successor organization.
2. As used in this section, “prisoner” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 212.1895.
(Added to NRS by 2009, 2820)
NRS 209.121 Director: Appointment; qualifications; salary; other employment prohibited.
1. The Chief Administrative and Fiscal Officer of the Department is the Director.
2. The Director:
(a) Shall be appointed by the Governor.
(b) Is responsible to the Board.
(c) Shall be selected with special reference to his or her training, experience and aptitude in the field of corrections.
(d) Is entitled to receive an annual salary in an amount fixed by law.
(e) Shall not engage in any other gainful employment or occupation.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 846)
NRS 209.131 Director: General duties. The Director shall:
1. Administer the Department under the direction of the Board.
2. Supervise the administration of all institutions and facilities of the Department.
3. Receive, retain and release, in accordance with law, offenders sentenced to imprisonment in the state prison.
4. Be responsible for the supervision, custody, treatment, care, security and discipline of all offenders under his or her jurisdiction.
5. Ensure that any person employed by the Department whose primary responsibilities are:
(a) The supervision, custody, security, discipline, safety and transportation of an offender;
(b) The security and safety of the staff; and
(c) The security and safety of an institution or facility of the Department,
Ê is a correctional officer who has the powers of a peace officer pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 289.220.
6. Establish regulations with the approval of the Board and enforce all laws governing the administration of the Department and the custody, care and training of offenders.
7. Take proper measures to protect the health and safety of the staff and offenders in the institutions and facilities of the Department.
8. Take proper measures to protect the health and safety of persons employed by a school district to operate a program of education for incarcerated persons in an institution or facility pursuant to chapter 388H of NRS.
9. Cause to be placed from time to time in conspicuous places about each institution and facility copies of laws and regulations relating to visits and correspondence between offenders and others.
10. Provide for the holding of religious services in the institutions and facilities and make available to the offenders copies of appropriate religious materials.
11. Compile the last known residential address of each offender immediately before the offender was sentenced to imprisonment in a facility or institution of the Department.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 846; A 1983, 719; 2001, 574; 2013, 346; 2019, 986)
NRS 209.1315 Director: Training of correctional staff.
1. The Director may continue to develop and implement, in each institution and facility of the Department, a program of facility training for the correctional staff. Such training must include:
(a) Training in evidence-based practices, including, without limitation, principles of effective intervention, effective case management and core correctional practices;
(b) Courses on interacting with victims of domestic violence and trauma and people with behavioral health needs and both physical and intellectual disabilities; and
(c) Training in cultural competency for interacting with offenders who are transgender, gender non-conforming, gender non-binary and intersex.
2. The Director shall develop and implement, in each institution and facility of the Department in which an offender may be placed in solitary confinement, a program of training for any correctional staff of the facility or institution who interact with offenders placed in solitary confinement. Such training must include, without limitation, training in effective communication, crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques. Any training required to be completed pursuant to a program of training adopted pursuant to this subsection is in addition to any other training required to be completed by correctional staff.
(Added to NRS by 2001 Special Session, 192; A 2019, 4444; 2023, 722, 2430)
NRS 209.132 Director: Delegation of power, duty or function.
1. The Director may delegate to a deputy director, manager, warden or employee of the Department the exercise or discharge in the name of the Director of any power, duty or function vested in or imposed upon the Director.
2. The official act of any such person acting in the name of the Director and by his or her authority shall be deemed an official act of the Director.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 3177; A 2007, 65)
NRS 209.134 Director: Submission to county clerk of list of offenders released from prison or discharged from parole. On or before the fifth day of each month, the Director shall submit to each county clerk in this State a list which provides:
1. The name of each offender who was released from prison by expiration of his or her term of imprisonment during the previous month or who was discharged from parole during the previous month; and
2. The case number of each offense for which the offender was released or discharged.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 668)
NRS 209.136 Director: Notification of Legislature regarding certain matters. The Director shall notify the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and the Assembly Standing Committee on Ways and Means during a regular or special session of the Legislature and the Interim Finance Committee when the Legislature is not in session of any:
1. Negotiations entered into by the Department to resolve any potential or existing litigation which could have a fiscal effect that exceeds the amount budgeted for that purpose by the Legislature; and
2. Plans regarding the location of any prison facility or institution.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 954; A 2001 Special Session, 192)
NRS 209.141 Agreements with governmental agencies and private organizations. The Director may, with the approval of the Board and except as otherwise provided in NRS 208.280, enter into agreements with other governmental agencies and with private organizations to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 846; A 2019, 954)
NRS 209.151 Deputy directors: Appointment; duties; other employment prohibited.
1. The Director shall appoint a Deputy Director for Industrial Programs who:
(a) Is responsible to the Director for the administration of all industrial, vocational and agricultural programs for the employment of offenders, except conservation camps and centers for the purpose of making restitution; and
(b) Shall enforce all policies and regulations of the Department relating to industrial, vocational and agricultural programs.
2. In addition to the Deputy Director appointed pursuant to subsection 1, the Director shall appoint such other deputy directors as are necessary.
3. During any absence of the Director, the Director shall designate a deputy director or a warden to act as Director of the Department without increase in salary.
4. The deputy directors shall carry out such administrative duties as may be assigned to them by the Director and shall not engage in any other gainful employment or occupation.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 846; A 1983, 720; 1987, 1019; 1989, 1884; 1991, 216; 2007, 65)
NRS 209.153 Deputy Director for Industrial Programs: Retirement benefits. The Deputy Director for Industrial Programs appointed pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 209.151 is entitled to receive the same retirement benefits as police officers and firefighters employed by public employers. For this purpose, the provisions of chapter 286 of NRS governing the retirement benefits of police officers and firefighters apply to the Deputy Director for Industrial Programs.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1019; A 2001 Special Session, 193; 2005, 319; 2007, 66)
NRS 209.161 Wardens of institutions: Appointment; duties.
1. The Director shall appoint a warden for each institution of the Department.
2. Each warden is in the classified service of the State except for purposes of appointment and retention.
3. Each warden is responsible to the Director for the administration of his or her institution, including the execution of all policies and the enforcement of all regulations of the Department pertaining to the custody, care and training of offenders under his or her jurisdiction.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 846; A 1983, 720; 2001, 1831)
NRS 209.181 Officers and employees residing at institution or facility: Charges and perquisites; notice to Legislature.
1. If the Director finds that it is necessary or desirable that any officer or employee reside at an institution or facility, perquisites granted to the officer or employee or charges for services rendered to the officer or employee are at the discretion of the Board.
2. The Director shall notify the Legislature at each regular session of the existing charges and perquisites.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 847; A 1983, 721)
NRS 209.183 Travel expenses authorized for certain employees at specified correctional centers and conservation camps; exceptions.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, in addition to his or her regular salary, each person employed by the Department of Corrections or the Division of Forestry of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at the Southern Nevada Correctional Center, the Southern Desert Correctional Center, the Indian Springs Conservation Camp, the correctional institution identified as the Men’s Prison No. 7 in chapter 656, Statutes of Nevada 1995, and chapter 478, Statutes of Nevada 1997, or the Jean Conservation Camp is entitled to receive, as compensation for travel expenses, not more than $7.50 for each day he or she reports to work if his or her residence is more than 25 miles from the respective institution or facility. The total cost for compensation for travel expenses authorized by this section must not exceed the amount specially appropriated for this purpose.
2. A person employed by the Department of Corrections or the Division of Forestry of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources who begins employment on or after July 1, 2011, is not eligible to receive compensation for travel expenses pursuant to subsection 1.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1648; A 1999, 2976; 2001 Special Session, 193; 2011, 1615)
NRS 209.189 Fund for Prison Industries.
1. The Fund for Prison Industries is hereby created as an enterprise fund to receive all revenues derived from programs for vocational training and employment of offenders and the operation of the prison farm and to receive all revenues raised by the Department from private employers for the leasing of space, facilities or equipment within the institutions or facilities of the Department.
2. Money in the Fund must be maintained in separate budgetary accounts, including at least one account for industrial programs and one for the prison farm.
3. Subject to the approval of the State Board of Examiners, the Director may expend money deposited in this Fund for the promotion and development of these programs and the prison farm. The Director shall expend money deposited in this Fund to pay the premiums required for coverage of offenders under the modified program of industrial insurance adopted pursuant to NRS 616B.028.
4. The interest and income earned on the money in the Fund, after deducting any applicable charges, must be credited to the Fund.
5. If money owed to the Department for the leasing of space, facilities or equipment within the institutions or facilities of the Department or for the purchase of goods or services, which must be deposited into the Fund for Prison Industries pursuant to subsection 1, is not paid on or before the date due, the Department shall charge and collect, in addition to the money due, interest on the money due at the rate of 1.5 percent per month or fraction thereof from the date on which the money became due until the date of payment.
(Added to NRS by 1979, 888; A 1987, 641, 1023; 1989, 550, 733; 1991, 1135; 1999, 1734; 2001 Special Session, 193)
NRS 209.192 Fund for New Construction of Facilities for Prison Industries.
1. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a Fund for New Construction of Facilities for Prison Industries as a capital projects fund. The Director shall deposit in the Fund the deductions made pursuant to subparagraph (3) of paragraph (a) of subsection 3 or subparagraph (2) of paragraph (a) of subsection 4 of NRS 209.463. The money in the Fund must only be expended:
(a) To house new industries or expand existing industries in the industrial program to provide additional employment of offenders;
(b) To relocate, expand, upgrade or modify an existing industry in the industrial program to enhance or improve operations or security or to provide additional employment or training of offenders;
(c) To purchase or lease equipment to be used for the training of offenders or in the operations of prison industries;
(d) To pay or fund the operations of prison industries, including, without limitation, paying the salaries of staff and wages of offenders if the cash balance in the Fund for Prison Industries is below the average monthly expenses for the operation of prison industries;
(e) To advertise and promote the goods produced and services provided by prison industries; or
(f) For any other purpose authorized by the Legislature.
2. Before money in the Fund may be expended:
(a) As described in paragraphs (b) to (e), inclusive, of subsection 1, the Director shall submit a proposal for the expenditure to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary and the State Board of Examiners.
(b) For construction, the Director shall submit a proposal for the expenditure to the State Board of Examiners.
3. Upon making a determination that the proposed expenditure is appropriate and necessary, the State Board of Examiners shall recommend to the Interim Finance Committee, or the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and the Assembly Standing Committee on Ways and Means when the Legislature is in general session, that the expenditure be approved. Upon approval of the appropriate committee or committees, the money may be so expended.
4. If any money in the Fund is used as described in paragraph (d) of subsection 1, the Director shall repay the amount used as soon as sufficient money is available in the Fund for Prison Industries.
5. The interest and income earned on the money in the Fund, after deducting any applicable charges, must be credited to the Fund.
6. As used in this section, “Fund” means Fund for New Construction of Facilities for Prison Industries.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 1586; A 1993, 422; 1995, 2591; 1997, 3177; 2001, 2391; 2010, 26th Special Session, 5; 2015, 398; 2021, 1895, 2518)
NRS 209.194 Silver State Industries Endowment Fund.
1. The Silver State Industries Endowment Fund is hereby created as a trust fund in the State Treasury.
2. The State Treasurer shall deposit in the Fund:
(a) Any money received from any commercial or correctional activities relating to the use of the modern structures, buildings and other property of the Nevada State Prison; and
(b) Any gifts, grants or donations of money the State Treasurer receives from any person who wishes to contribute to the Fund.
Ê The money described in paragraphs (a) and (b) must be accounted for separately.
3. The interest and income earned on the money in the Fund must be credited to the Fund.
4. The Fund must be administered by the Silver State Industries Division of the Department.
5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6, the money in the Fund must only be used for the purposes set forth in this subsection. The Silver State Industries Division may use:
(a) In addition to any interest earned on the principal of the Fund, not more than 75 percent of the money received during a fiscal year from any commercial or correctional activities relating to the use of the modern structures, buildings and other property of the Nevada State Prison for the maintenance of the modern structures, buildings and other property of the Nevada State Prison; and
(b) Not more than 5 percent of the money received during a fiscal year from any commercial or correctional activities relating to the use of the modern structures, buildings and other property of the Nevada State Prison to pay administrative costs.
6. At the end of each fiscal year, the State Treasurer shall transfer from the Silver State Industries Endowment Fund to the Endowment Fund for the Historic Preservation of the Nevada State Prison created by NRS 381.239 25 percent of all the money received during the fiscal year from any commercial or correctional activities relating to the use of the modern structures, buildings and other property of the Nevada State Prison and deposited into and remaining in the Silver State Industries Endowment Fund. The State Treasurer shall not transfer any interest earned on the principal.
7. As used in this section, “modern structures, buildings and other property of the Nevada State Prison” means the structures, buildings and other property described in paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NRS 321.004.
(Added to NRS by 2015, 868; A 2021, 2079)
NRS 209.221 Offenders’ Store Fund; statement of offender’s financial situation; criminal penalties relating to concealment of assets and provision of false or misleading financial information.
1. The Offenders’ Store Fund is hereby created as a special revenue fund. All money received for the benefit of offenders through contributions, and from other sources not otherwise required to be deposited in another fund, must be deposited in the Offenders’ Store Fund.
2. The Director shall:
(a) Keep, or cause to be kept, a full and accurate account of the Fund;
(b) Submit reports to the Board relative to money in the Fund as may be required from time to time; and
(c) Submit a monthly report to the offenders of the amount of money in the Fund by posting copies of the report at locations accessible to offenders generally or by delivery of copies to the appropriate representatives of the offenders if any are selected.
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 4 to 10, inclusive, money in the Offenders’ Store Fund, except interest earned upon it, must be expended for the welfare and benefit of all offenders or for any other purpose authorized by the Legislature.
4. If necessary to cover a shortfall of money in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund, the Director may, after obtaining the approval of the Interim Finance Committee, authorize the State Controller to transfer money from the Offenders’ Store Fund to the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund, and the State Controller shall make the transfer.
5. If an offender has insufficient money in his or her individual account in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund to repay or defray costs assessed to the offender pursuant to NRS 209.246, the Director shall authorize the State Controller to transfer sufficient money from the Offenders’ Store Fund to the appropriate account in the State General Fund to pay costs remaining unpaid, and the State Controller shall make the transfer. Any money so transferred must be accounted for separately. The Director shall cause the Offenders’ Store Fund to be reimbursed from the offender’s individual account in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund, as money becomes available.
6. If the Department incurs costs related to state property that has been willfully damaged, destroyed or lost or incurs costs related to medical examination, diagnosis or treatment for an injury to an offender, the Director may authorize the State Controller to transfer money from the Offenders’ Store Fund to the appropriate account in the State General Fund to repay or defray those costs if:
(a) The Director has reason to believe that an offender caused the damage, destruction, loss or injury; and
(b) The identity of the offender is unknown or cannot be determined by the Director with reasonable certainty.
Ê The State Controller shall make the transfer if authorized by the Director. Any money transferred must be accounted for separately. If the identity of the offender is determined after money has been transferred, the Director shall cause the Offenders’ Store Fund to be reimbursed from the offender’s individual account in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund, as money becomes available.
7. The Director may, with approval of the Board, establish by regulation criteria for a reasonable deduction from money credited to the Offenders’ Store Fund to repay or defray the costs relating to the operation and maintenance of the offenders’ store, coffee shop, gymnasium and correctional officers’ salaries for visitation posts where they exist in each facility. Any regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection must be adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 233B of NRS.
8. The Director may, with approval of the Board, establish by regulation a charge on the purchase of electronic devices by offenders to defray the costs relating to the operation of the devices. The Director shall utilize the proceeds collected from the charge established for operation of the devices to offset the energy costs of the facilities within the Department. Any regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection must be adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 233B of NRS.
9. The Director may, with approval of the Board, establish by regulation a charge on the use by offenders of videoconferencing equipment for conducting visits to defray the costs relating to the operation and maintenance of the equipment. The Director shall utilize the proceeds collected from the charge established for the operation and maintenance of the equipment to offset the costs of operating and maintaining the videoconferencing equipment and correctional officers’ salaries for posts for conducting visits by videoconference where the posts exist in each facility.
10. If an offender who has been assigned to a center for the purpose of making restitution is returned to an institution for committing an infraction of the regulations of the Department and the center has not been fully compensated for the cost of providing the offender with housing, transportation, meals, or medical or dental services at the center, the Director may authorize the State Controller to transfer money from the Offenders’ Store Fund to the appropriate account in the State General Fund to repay or defray those costs. The State Controller shall make the transfer if authorized by the Director. Any money transferred must be accounted for separately. The Director shall cause the Offenders’ Store Fund to be reimbursed from the offender’s individual account in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund, as money becomes available.
11. If an offender has insufficient money in his or her individual account in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund to repay or defray costs assessed to the offender pursuant to NRS 209.246, the offender shall sign a statement under penalty of perjury concerning his or her financial situation. Such a statement must include, but is not limited to, the following information:
(a) The value of any interest the offender has in real estate;
(b) The value of the personal property of the offender;
(c) The assets in any bank account of the offender; and
(d) The employment status of the offender.
12. The statement required by subsection 11 must also authorize the Department to access any relevant document, for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of the information provided by the offender pursuant to this section, including, but not limited to, information regarding any bank account of the offender, information regarding any bank account held in trust for the offender and any federal income tax return, report or withholding form of the offender.
13. An offender who conceals assets from the Department or provides false or misleading information on a statement prepared pursuant to this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
14. A person who aids or encourages an offender to conceal assets from the Department or to provide false or misleading information on a statement prepared pursuant to this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 847; A 1979, 308, 889; 1981, 1559; 1993, 268; 1995, 363; 1997, 1232, 3178; 1999, 2546; 2010, 26th Special Session, 84; 2017, 3658; 2020, 31st Special Session, 85)
NRS 209.225 Investment and disbursement of interest and income of Offenders’ Store Fund.
1. The Director shall deposit the Offenders’ Store Fund with the State Treasurer for investment. The interest and income earned upon the Fund, after deducting any applicable charges, must be credited to the Fund and may only be disbursed as authorized by the Legislature.
2. The provisions of this chapter do not create a right on behalf of any offender to any interest or income that accrues on the money in the Offenders’ Store Fund. The provisions of this chapter do not establish a basis for any cause of action against the State or against officers or employees of the State to claim ownership of any interest or income that accrues on the money in the Offenders’ Store Fund.
(Added to NRS by 1981, 1559; A 1983, 1582; 1989, 1129; 1995, 364)
NRS 209.229 Operation of vending machines in visitors’ areas; profits from operation to be deposited in Offenders’ Store Fund.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the Department shall operate any vending machine that is located in a visitors’ area of a facility or an institution of the Department.
2. The Department may enter into a contract with a private vendor to operate a vending machine located in a visitors’ area of a facility or an institution of the Department.
3. If the Department operates a vending machine pursuant to subsection 1 or enters into a contract with a private vendor to operate a vending machine pursuant to subsection 2, the money received by the Department from the operation of the vending machine, less any money expended for overhead and operating expenses, must be deposited in the Offenders’ Store Fund created pursuant to NRS 209.221.
4. As used in this section, “vending machine” means any manual or coin-operated machine or similar device for vending food, beverages or other articles.
(Added to NRS by 1999, 2574)
NRS 209.231 Deposit of money received from operation of conservation camp into Division of Forestry Account; powers and duties of State Forester Firewarden.
1. Any money received from the operation of any conservation camp established under this chapter or from the assignment of any crew of a conservation camp to the extent that the money is not used for salaries, overhead or operating expenses of any camp or crew must be placed in the Division of Forestry Account.
2. The State Forester Firewarden, as executive head of the Division of Forestry of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, may:
(a) Expend the money received pursuant to subsection 1 for:
(1) The renovation, repair or improvement of buildings and real property for any conservation camp.
(2) The acquisition of special clothing, tools and equipment, and payment of expenses directly related to work projects performed by a crew of a conservation camp such as, but not limited to, the costs of utilities and operation of equipment.
(b) Direct all activities in connection with any renovation, repair or improvement of buildings and real property for any conservation camp or work project of a conservation camp.
3. The State Forester Firewarden shall determine the amount of wages that must be paid to offenders who participate in conservation camps as provided in NRS 472.040.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 848; A 1985, 252; 1991, 217; 2003, 916)
NRS 209.234 Regulations governing personal property of offenders.
1. The Director may, with the approval of the Board, adopt regulations to be instituted in each institution or facility which govern the possession of personal property by offenders. Such regulations may place limitations on the amount of personal property an offender may, at any one time, possess.
2. Any regulations adopted by the Director pursuant to subsection 1 must be consistent with the provisions of subsection 2 of NRS 209.235.
3. As used in this section, “personal property” includes, without limitation, goods purchased from a commissary.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2511)
NRS 209.235 Regulations governing operation of commissary in institution or facility.
1. The Director shall, with the approval of the Board, adopt regulations to be instituted in each institution or facility which govern the operation of a commissary in the institution or facility.
2. The Director shall not adopt regulations which:
(a) Place a monetary limitation on the ability of an offender to receive or purchase goods or services from the commissary.
(b) Authorize the markup of the price of a personal hygiene product sold at the commissary.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2511)
NRS 209.239 Adoption of policy by warden or manager concerning personal property of offenders. Subject to the approval of the Director, the warden of each institution and the manager of each facility shall adopt and issue a written policy statement regulating the personal property which an offender may retain in his or her possession, including, but not limited to:
1. Procedures necessary to ensure that offenders are permitted to retain reasonable amounts of personal property, consistent with security and the proper functioning of the institution or facility.
2. Necessary procedures for the careful handling and secure storage of the personal property of an offender.
(Added to NRS by 1979, 328; A 1983, 721; 1997, 3179)
NRS 209.241 Safekeeping of money and valuables of offenders: Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund; duties of Director; withdrawals by offenders; monthly statement; disbursement of interest and income; penalties; exemptions.
1. The Director may accept money, including the net amount of any wages earned during the incarceration of an offender after any deductions made by the Director and valuables belonging to an offender at the time of his or her incarceration or afterward received by gift, inheritance or the like or earned during the incarceration of an offender, and shall deposit the money in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund, which is hereby created as a trust fund.
2. An offender shall deposit all money that the offender receives into his or her individual account in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund.
3. The Director:
(a) Shall keep, or cause to be kept, a full and accurate account of the money and valuables, and shall submit reports to the Board relating to the money and valuables as may be required from time to time.
(b) May permit withdrawals for immediate expenditure by an offender for personal needs.
(c) May permit the distribution of money to a governmental entity for any applicable deduction authorized pursuant to NRS 209.247 or any other deduction authorized by law from any money deposited in the individual account of an offender from any source other than the offender’s wages.
(d) Shall provide each offender with a monthly statement concerning the individual account of the offender.
(e) Shall pay over to each offender upon his or her release any remaining balance in his or her individual account.
4. The monthly statement described in subsection 3:
(a) Must include, without limitation:
(1) The balance of the individual account of the offender;
(2) An itemized list of each deduction made from the individual account of the offender, including, without limitation:
(I) The amount of the deduction;
(II) The date of the deduction; and
(III) The purpose of the deduction; and
(3) The balance of any debts owed by the offender to the Department, including, without limitation, the amount of restitution owed by the offender, if any; and
(b) Must be provided to the offender:
(1) Electronically, free of charge; or
(2) In writing, upon the request of the offender, and if so provided, the Department may not charge the offender a fee relating to the provision of the written statement for the first two requests per year.
5. The interest and income earned on the money in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund, after deducting any applicable bank charges, must be credited each calendar quarter as follows:
(a) If an offender’s share of the cost of administering the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund for the quarter is less than the amount of interest and income earned by the offender, the Director shall credit the individual account of the offender with an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest and income earned by the offender and the offender’s share of the cost of administering the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund.
(b) If an offender’s share of the cost of administering the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund for the quarter is equal to or greater than the amount of interest and income earned by the offender, the Director shall credit the interest and income to the Offenders’ Store Fund.
6. An offender who does not deposit all money that the offender receives into his or her individual account in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund as required in this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
7. A person who aids or encourages an offender not to deposit all money the offender receives into the individual account of the offender in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund as required in this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
8. The Director may exempt an offender from the provisions of this section if the offender is:
(a) Confined in an institution outside this State pursuant to chapter 215A of NRS; or
(b) Assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety to:
(1) Serve a term of residential confinement pursuant to NRS 209.392, 209.3923, 209.3925 or 209.429; or
(2) Participate in a correctional program for reentry into the community pursuant to NRS 209.4887.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 848; A 1981, 1559; 1983, 1582; 1985, 923; 1989, 1129; 1995, 2592; 1997, 3180; 2007, 66; 2013, 186; 2019, 3064; 2021, 1896)
NRS 209.243 Administrative claim by prisoner for loss of personal property, property damage, personal injuries or other claims; regulations.
1. A prisoner or former prisoner may file an administrative claim with the Department to recover compensation for the loss of his or her personal property, property damage, personal injuries or any other claim arising out of a tort alleged to have occurred during his or her incarceration as a result of an act or omission of the Department or any of its agents, former officers, employees or contractors. The claim must be filed within 6 months after the date of the alleged loss, damage or injury.
2. The Department shall evaluate each claim filed pursuant to subsection 1 and determine the amount due, if any. If the amount due is $500 or less, the Department, within the limits of legislative appropriations, shall approve the claim for payment and submit it to be paid as other claims against the State are paid. The Department shall submit all claims in which the amount due exceeds $500, with any recommendations it deems appropriate, to the State Board of Examiners. The State Board of Examiners, in acting upon the claim, shall consider any recommendations of the Department.
3. The Department shall adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 1210; A 1995, 1517)
NRS 209.244 Attorney General may establish program for mediating complaints from offenders; duties.
1. The Attorney General may establish a program for mediating complaints from an offender concerning:
(a) An administrative act which is alleged to be contrary to law or a policy of the Department; or
(b) Significant issues relating to the health or safety of offenders and other matters for which there is no effective administrative remedy.
2. If the Attorney General establishes a program for mediating complaints pursuant to subsection 1, the Attorney General shall:
(a) By regulation, establish procedures for mediating complaints by offenders; and
(b) Prepare and submit to the Board an annual report on:
(1) The complaints mediated through the program;
(2) The total dollar amount of claims asserted in complaints mediated through the program;
(3) The number of complaints that were resolved through the program;
(4) The cost in dollars paid to offenders to resolve complaints through the program; and
(5) The savings in dollars between the dollar amount of claims asserted in complaints and the cost in dollars paid to offenders to resolve those complaints.
3. As used in this section, “administrative act” includes an action, omission, decision, recommendation, practice or other procedure of the Department.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 1083)
NRS 209.2445 Office of the Ombudsperson for Offenders: Establishment; appointment of Ombudsperson; powers and duties of Ombudsperson; funding; access to information.
1. The Office of the Ombudsperson for Offenders is hereby established within the Department to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of offenders and prepare offenders for successful reentry into communities upon release. The Office must be impartial and operationally independent of the Department.
2. The Board shall appoint the Ombudsperson and may enter into a contract with a person to serve as Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson serves at the pleasure of the Board.
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6, the Ombudsperson may:
(a) Investigate and attempt to resolve grievances arising out of, or relating to, issues within the authority and control of the Department, including, without limitation, grievances relating to:
(1) Alleged abuse or neglect;
(2) Conditions of confinement;
(3) Alleged violations of any law of this State; and
(4) Actions that may be inconsistent with any policy, procedure, regulation or rule of the Department; and
(b) Propose policy or procedural changes to the Department relating to any systemic issue identified by the Ombudsperson.
4. If the Ombudsperson has reason to believe that a violation of a state or federal law or a constitutional provision has occurred or is occurring, the Ombudsperson shall notify the Director.
5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6, the Ombudsperson shall:
(a) Review grievances entered into NOTIS;
(b) Provide such training as the Ombudsperson determines to be necessary or advisable to promote the purpose described in subsection 1 or suggest appropriate referrals for the provision of any such training; and
(c) Prepare an annual report, which must include, without limitation:
(1) Information concerning grievances entered into NOTIS for the immediately preceding year, which must include:
(I) The total number of grievances filed during the immediately preceding year;
(II) A summary of the claims included in grievances filed during the immediately preceding year;
(III) The total number of investigations conducted by the Department during the immediately preceding year; and
(IV) The outcome of each investigation conducted by the Department during the immediately preceding year;
(2) A summary of the activities of the Office during the immediately preceding year, including, without limitation, information regarding any training provided by the Ombudsperson or referrals made by the Ombudsperson;
(3) Any recommendations for proposed legislation; and
(4) Any other information the Ombudsperson determines is appropriate to include in the report.
6. The Ombudsperson shall not:
(a) Review, investigate or attempt to resolve any grievance relating to a judgment of conviction; or
(b) Interfere with any ongoing investigation of the Department, including, without limitation, any ongoing investigation being conducted by the Inspector General of the Department.
7. The Department shall provide any funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
8. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department shall grant the Ombudsperson access to any information concerning grievances entered into NOTIS or stored at an institution or facility.
9. On or before December 1 of each year, the Ombudsperson shall submit the report required by subsection 5 to the Governor and to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary, if the report is received during an odd-numbered year, or to the next session of the Legislature, if the report is received during an even-numbered year.
10. As used in this section, “NOTIS” means the Nevada Offender Tracking Information System or its successor.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2850)
NRS 209.246 Deductions from individual account of offender.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Director shall, with the approval of the Board, establish by regulation criteria for a reasonable deduction from money credited to the account of an offender to:
(a) Repay the cost of:
(1) State property willfully damaged, destroyed or lost by the offender during his or her incarceration.
(2) Medical examination, diagnosis or treatment for injuries:
(I) Inflicted by the offender upon himself or herself or other offenders; or
(II) Which occur during voluntary recreational activities.
(3) Searching for and apprehending the offender when he or she escapes or attempts to escape.
(4) Quelling any riot or other disturbance in which the offender is unlawfully involved.
(5) Providing a funeral for an offender.
(6) Providing an offender with clothing, transportation and money upon his or her release from prison pursuant to NRS 209.511.
(7) Transportation of an offender pursuant to a court order in cases other than a criminal prosecution, a proceeding for postconviction relief involving the offender or a proceeding in which the offender has challenged the conditions of his or her confinement.
(8) Monetary sanctions imposed under the code of penal discipline adopted by the Department.
(b) Defray, as determined by the Director, a portion of the costs paid by the Department for medical care for the offender, including, but not limited to:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (2) of paragraph (a) and subsection 2, expenses for medical or dental care, prosthetic devices and pharmaceutical items; and
(2) Expenses for prescribed medicine and supplies.
(c) Repay the costs incurred by the Department on behalf of the offender for:
(1) Postage for personal items and items related to litigation;
(2) Photocopying of personal documents and legal documents, for which the offender must be charged a reasonable fee not to exceed the actual costs incurred by the Department;
(3) Legal supplies;
(4) Telephone calls charged to the Department;
(5) Charges relating to checks returned for insufficient funds and checks for which an order to stop payment has been made;
(6) Items related to the offender’s work, including, but not limited to, clothing, shoes, boots, tools, a driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, a work card issued by a law enforcement agency and a health card; and
(7) The replacement of an identification card or prepaid ticket for bus transportation issued to the offender by the Department.
(d) Repay any cost to the State of Nevada or any agency or political subdivision thereof that is incurred in defending the State against an action filed by an offender in federal court alleging a violation of his or her civil rights which is determined by the court to be frivolous.
2. The Director shall not adopt any regulations which authorize a deduction from money credited to the account of an offender for the payment of any copayment for any routine or emergency medical care provided to an offender.
3. All money collected pursuant to this section must be deposited in the appropriate account in the State General Fund for reimbursement of the related expenditure.
(Added to NRS by 1979, 40; A 1983, 297; 1987, 2238; 1993, 852; 1995, 364; 1997, 3180; 2001, 2582; 2023, 2511)
NRS 209.247 Deductions from individual account of offender: Limitation on deductions; order of priority.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 209.2475 and subsection 4 of NRS 209.249 and subject to the limitation set forth in subsection 2, the Director may make the deductions described in subsection 3 from any money deposited in the individual account of an offender from any source other than the offender’s wages.
2. The Director may not deduct more than 25 percent of each deposit described in subsection 1.
3. The Director may deduct:
(a) In the following order of priority:
(1) An amount the Director considers reasonable to meet an existing obligation of the offender for restitution to a victim of his or her crime;
(2) An amount the Director considers reasonable to meet an existing obligation of the offender for the support of the offender’s family;
(3) An amount determined by the Director, with the approval of the Board, to offset the cost of maintaining the offender in the institution, as reflected in the budget of the Department, and any amount deducted pursuant to this subparagraph may include, but is not limited to, an amount to offset the cost of participation by the offender pursuant to NRS 209.4231 to 209.4244, inclusive, in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or a program of aftercare, or both;
(4) A deduction pursuant to NRS 209.246;
(5) An amount determined by the Director for deposit in a savings account for the offender, in which interest on the money deposited does not accrue, to be used for the payment of the expenses of the offender related to his or her release or, if the offender dies before his or her release, to defray expenses related to arrangements for the offender’s funeral;
(6) An amount the Director deems reasonable for deposit with the State Treasurer for credit to the Fund for the Compensation of Victims of Crime created by NRS 217.260;
(7) An amount the Director considers reasonable to pay the balance of any fee imposed upon the offender for genetic marker analysis and included in the judgment entered against the offender pursuant to NRS 176.0915;
(8) An amount the Director considers reasonable to pay the balance of an administrative assessment included in the judgment entered against the offender for each crime for which the offender is incarcerated and the balance of an unpaid administrative assessment included in a judgment entered against the offender for a crime committed in this state for which the offender was previously convicted, and any amount deducted from a source other than the wages earned by the offender during his or her incarceration, pursuant to this subparagraph, must be submitted:
(I) If the offender does not have an administrative assessment owing from a judgment entered for a crime previously committed in this state, to the court that entered the judgment against the offender for which he or she is incarcerated; or
(II) If the offender has an administrative assessment owing from a judgment entered for a crime previously committed in this state, to the court that first entered a judgment for which an administrative assessment is owing, until the balance owing has been paid; and
(9) An amount the Director considers reasonable to pay the balance of a fine included in the judgment entered against the offender for each crime for which the offender is incarcerated and the balance of an unpaid fine included in a judgment entered against the offender for a crime committed in this state for which the offender was previously convicted, and any amount deducted from any source other than the wages earned by the offender during his or her incarceration, pursuant to this subparagraph, must be submitted:
(I) If the offender does not have a fine owing from a judgment entered for a crime previously committed in this state, to the court that entered the judgment against the offender for which he or she is incarcerated; or
(II) If the offender has a fine owing from a judgment entered for a crime previously committed in this state, to the court that first entered a judgment for which any fine or administrative assessment is owing, until the balance owing has been paid; and
(b) Any other deduction authorized by law from any source other than the wages earned by the offender during his or her incarceration, the deduction of which must be made in an order of priority determined by the Director.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2657, 3175; A 1999, 649, 654; 2013, 1079; 2021, 207, 1897)
NRS 209.2473 Regulations regarding deductions.
1. The Department may adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of NRS 209.247 and 209.463.
2. Any regulations adopted pursuant to this section must be adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 233B of NRS.
(Added to NRS by 2021, 1895)
NRS 209.2475 Deductions from individual account of offender: Limitations; disposition of remaining money upon release of offender; reduction or elimination; transmittal.
1. The Director shall not make any deduction from the individual account of an offender in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund if the balance in the account is below the minimum balance designated by the Director pursuant to this subsection. The Director shall designate the minimum balance of an account of an offender required before such other deductions or withdrawals from the account may be made by the Director or the offender.
2. Upon the release of an offender, any money from any source remaining in an account of the offender may be used to reimburse the Department for any expenses related to his or her release, including, but not limited to, any expenses incurred by the Department pursuant to NRS 209.511 or for transportation of the offender.
3. The Director may reduce or eliminate a deduction authorized pursuant to NRS 209.247 or 209.463 to the extent necessary to comply with a restriction imposed by federal law on deductions from wages of an offender or from the account of an offender.
4. The Director may, if appropriate, transmit a deduction made pursuant to NRS 209.247 or 209.463 directly to the person, entity or fund for whom the deduction was made.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 3176)
NRS 209.248 Account for disbursements to offenders: Establishment; use; reimbursement.
1. The Department shall establish in any insured bank, credit union, savings and loan association or savings bank doing business in this state an account for disbursements to offenders. The balance in the account must not exceed $600,000. Money in the account may be expended only for the payment of transactions involving offenders’ trust funds.
2. Payments made from the account for disbursements to offenders must be promptly reimbursed from money in the appropriate fund on deposit with the State Treasurer.
(Added to NRS by 1985, 1162; A 1999, 1459; 2001 Special Session, 194)
NRS 209.249 Package program for offenders: Establishment; prohibition on participation.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, the Director shall establish and maintain a package program for offenders.
2. The Director may prohibit an offender from participating in the package program if the offender is in:
(a) Disciplinary segregation; or
(b) Administrative segregation and the prohibition is necessary to ensure the safety of other offenders in administrative segregation.
3. The Medical Director may prohibit an offender from participating in the package program if:
(a) The offender is receiving medical care from the Medical Director; and
(b) The prohibition is necessary to ensure the health of the offender.
4. The contents of a package received by an offender participating in the package program are not subject to any deduction described in NRS 209.247.
5. As used in this section:
(a) “Administrative segregation” means the separation of an offender from the general population which is imposed by classification when the continued presence of the offender in the general population or protective segregation would pose a serious threat to life, property, self, staff, other offenders or to the security or orderly operation of the facility or institution.
(b) “Package program” means a program which authorizes an offender to order at least one clothing package and one food package, respectively, per quarter.
(c) “Protective segregation” means the separation of an offender from the general population when the offender requests or requires protection from other offenders for reasons relating to health or safety.
(Added to NRS by 2021, 1894; A 2023, 2430)
NRS 209.251 Books and papers kept by Board or Director: Inspection; delivery to successors. All books and papers kept by or under the direction of the Secretary of the Board or the Director shall:
1. At all times, on all legal days, be open to the inspection of the members of the Board, all other state officers, members of the Legislature, and the sheriffs of the several counties of this state.
2. At the expiration of their term of office, be delivered to their successors.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 848)
NRS 209.253 Treatment of offenders with human immunodeficiency virus.
1. The Department or the operator of a private facility or institution shall not enter into a contract or other agreement with any person or entity to provide medical services to offenders who are diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus unless the person or entity demonstrates that at least 95 percent of the patients who are diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus to whom the person or entity provides medical services:
(a) Are offered treatment on the same day as the diagnosis; and
(b) Are able to begin such treatment not later than 7 days after diagnosis.
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, an institution, facility or private facility or institution shall take reasonable measures to ensure the availability of:
(a) Any drug prescribed for treating the human immunodeficiency virus in the form recommended by the prescribing practitioner to each offender who has been diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus to the same extent and under the same conditions as other medical care for offenders.
(b) Methods of preventing the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus, including, without limitation, drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, to all offenders free of charge.
3. An institution, facility or private facility or institution:
(a) Is not required to make available a drug described in subsection 2 for which a prescription is required to an offender for whom such a prescription has not been issued.
(b) Shall take reasonable measures to make available to all offenders a provider of health care who is authorized to issue a prescription for a drug described in subsection 2.
(c) Shall not demand, request or suggest that a provider of health care refrain from issuing a prescription for a drug described in subsection 2 to an offender or take any other measure to prevent a provider of health care from issuing such a prescription.
4. As used in this section, “provider of health care” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 629.031.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 3490)
NRS 209.254 Department to provide list of persons eligible for parole. At least 40 days before any scheduled action of the State Board of Parole Commissioners, the Department shall provide to the Executive Secretary of the Board a list of each person who is eligible for parole. The list must include, for each offender:
1. The name of the offender;
2. The crime for which the offender was convicted;
3. The county in which the offender was sentenced;
4. The date of his or her sentence;
5. The length of his or her sentence, including the minimum term or the minimum aggregate term, as applicable, and the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term, as applicable, of imprisonment or the definite term of imprisonment, if one is imposed;
6. The amount of time the offender actually served in the state prison;
7. The amount of credit for time previously served by the offender in a county jail; and
8. The amount of credit allowed to reduce the sentence of the offender pursuant to this chapter.
(Added to NRS by 2017, 136)
TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSFER OF OFFENDERS
NRS 209.261 Transportation of offender to appropriate institution or facility.
1. Upon notification by the county clerk of any county in this State that a person is being held under sentence of imprisonment in the state prison, the Director shall immediately provide for the transportation of the offender from the place of confinement to an appropriate institution or facility of the Department.
2. The expense of such transportation is a charge against the Department and must be paid upon approval by the Board as other claims against the State are paid.
3. The reasonable expenses of maintaining every person sentenced to imprisonment in the state prison, after 5 days’ notice to the Director, is a charge against the Department.
4. The officer in charge of transporting an offender is entitled to receive allowances for transportation and subsistence at the rates provided for state employees.
5. In all cases where an appeal is sustained by the appellate court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to the rules fixed by the Supreme Court pursuant to Section 4 of Article 6 of the Nevada Constitution, further transportation of the offender is at the expense of the county in which the offender was convicted and at the same rate as provided in subsection 4.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 848; A 1983, 721; 1985, 394; 2013, 1766)
NRS 209.273 Unnecessary expense not allowed; offenders transported collectively. The officer in charge shall transport at the same time all persons awaiting transportation, and the Board shall not allow any extra expense incurred by the making of unnecessary trips in transporting separately persons who might be transferred at the same time.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 849)
NRS 209.274 Transportation of offender to appear before court.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, when an offender is required or requested to appear before a court in this state, the Department shall transport the offender to and from court on the day scheduled for his or her appearance.
2. If notice is not provided within the time set forth in NRS 50.215, the Department shall transport the offender to court on the date scheduled for his or her appearance if it is possible to transport the offender in the usual manner for the transportation of offenders by the Department. If it is not possible for the Department to transport the offender in the usual manner:
(a) The Department shall make the offender available on the date scheduled for his or her appearance to provide testimony by telephone or by video, if so requested by the court.
(b) The Department shall provide for special transportation of the offender to and from the court, if the court so orders. If the court orders special transportation, it shall order the county in which the court is located to reimburse the Department for any cost incurred for the special transportation.
(c) The court may order the county sheriff to transport the offender to and from the court at the expense of the county.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2591; A 2001 Special Session, 194)
NRS 209.2745 Payment for transportation of offender to appear as witness in action for small claims.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, if an offender has filed an action for small claims pursuant to chapter 73 of NRS and the offender requests to appear as a witness in the action, the offender shall pay the Department in advance for the costs the Department estimates will be incurred in providing transportation for the offender to appear in court.
2. Within 30 days after providing transportation for an offender to appear in court pursuant to subsection 1, the Department shall:
(a) Reimburse the offender for any amount paid by the offender that exceeds the actual cost incurred by the Department in providing transportation for the offender; or
(b) Charge the offender for any cost incurred by the Department in providing transportation for the offender that exceeds the amount paid by the defendant pursuant to subsection 1.
3. The provisions of this section do not apply to indigent offenders.
(Added to NRS by 1999, 68)
NRS 209.276 Reimbursement for transportation of witness in action by offender concerning civil rights. If an offender has filed an action in federal court alleging a violation of his or her civil rights and the offender requests that any other offender appear as a witness in the action, the offender who filed the action shall reimburse the Department for any cost that is incurred in providing special transportation for any other offender to appear in court.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 3174)
NRS 209.281 Temporary interstate transportation. An officer of the Department may transport an offender temporarily to or through any state which adjoins the State of Nevada if:
1. The offender will perform general labor in connection with forestry projects and will be directly returned to the State of Nevada after completion of the general labor; or
2. Some part of Nevada is threatened by fire or other natural disaster and the threat emanates from an adjoining state.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 849)
NRS 209.291 Transfer of offenders: Within Department; to other governmental agencies; between United States and foreign country.
1. The Director may transfer an offender:
(a) From one institution or facility to another within the Department; or
(b) To other governmental agencies,
Ê in accordance with classification evaluations and the requirements of treatment, training, security and custody of the offender.
2. The prison sentence of an offender continues uninterrupted while the offender is at the correctional facility to which the offender has been transferred.
3. Whenever a treaty is in force providing for the transfer of offenders between the United States and a foreign country, the Director may, with the consent of the Governor, approve a transfer as provided in the treaty upon the application of the offender to the Director.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 849; A 1979, 727; 1983, 721)
NRS 209.293 Transfer of offender to correctional institution of another state. The Director may transfer to a correctional institution of another state any offender who is sentenced in that state to serve a term of imprisonment which is concurrent with and at least as long as the term which the offender would otherwise serve in Nevada.
(Added to NRS by 1979, 473)
NRS 209.301 Transfer of minors to state facility for detention of children.
1. The Department may transfer a person who is a minor and who is confined in an institution or facility of the Department to a state facility for the detention of children if the superintendent of the facility consents to the transfer.
2. As used in this section, “state facility for the detention of children” means the Nevada Youth Training Center, the Caliente Youth Center or any other state facility for the detention of children that is operated pursuant to title 5 of NRS.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 849; A 1983, 722; 1989, 1956; 2003, 1126)
NRS 209.311 Transfer of persons detained in local facility to institution or facility of Department for safekeeping.
1. At the request of a county sheriff or the chief of police of a city, the Director may authorize the transfer of a person detained in a local facility to an institution or facility of the Department for safekeeping. The Director shall determine whether the person is to be transported by the staff of the Department or by the staff of the county sheriff or the chief of police who requested the transfer.
2. The Director shall determine the cost of the custody and care of a person transferred pursuant to subsection 1 which may be borne by the local government affected.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 849; A 1983, 722; 2013, 187)
NRS 209.321 Transfer of offender for psychiatric observation or treatment. The Director may arrange for the transfer of an offender to other appropriate governmental agencies for psychiatric observation, evaluation or stabilization pursuant to an agreement with the agency for such transfers. When the head of the facility to which the offender has been transferred determines that the offender has recovered from the condition which caused the transfer, the Director shall provide for the return of the offender to the Department.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 849)
NRS 209.331 Medical evaluation or treatment of offender outside institution or facility. An offender may be taken outside an institution or facility under appropriate precautions to prevent the offender’s escape, when necessary for medical evaluation or treatment, as determined by the Director or the Director’s designee. All decisions regarding the medical evaluation or treatment of an offender, including, but not limited to, whether the offender needs to see a provider of health care outside of the prison, whether to change providers of health care and whether an offender will receive a course of treatment, are within the discretion of the Director or the Director’s designee.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 849; A 1983, 722; 1997, 3181)
CUSTODY, CARE AND EDUCATION OF OFFENDERS
NRS 209.341 Director to establish system of initial classification and evaluation for offenders; assignment of offender to appropriate institution or facility of Department; administration of risk and needs assessment; validation study.
1. The Director shall:
(a) Establish, with the approval of the Board, a system of initial classification and evaluation for offenders who are sentenced to imprisonment in the state prison.
(b) Assign every person who is sentenced to imprisonment in the state prison to an appropriate institution or facility of the Department. The assignment must be based on an evaluation of the offender’s records, particular needs and requirements for custody.
(c) Administer a risk and needs assessment to each offender for the purpose of guiding institutional programming and placement. The Department may consider the responsivity factors of an offender when making decisions concerning such programming and placement.
2. Any risk and needs assessment used by the Department pursuant to this section must undergo a validation study not less than once every 3 years. The Department shall establish quality assurance procedures to ensure proper and consistent scoring of any risk and needs assessment used pursuant to this section.
3. As used in this section:
(a) “Responsivity factors” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 213.107.
(b) “Risk and needs assessment” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 213.107.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 849; A 1979, 1125; 1983, 722; 1987, 2238; 1997, 906; 2019, 4445)
NRS 209.345 Director to establish system to track expenses related to housing youthful offenders; report regarding expenses tracked by system.
1. The Director shall establish a system to track expenses that are directly related to housing youthful offenders in the institutions and facilities of the Department. The system must track all expenses that are directly related to housing youthful offenders, including, without limitation, expenses for:
(a) Education;
(b) Communication and interaction with family members and other persons;
(c) Health care;
(d) Mental health;
(e) Recreational programming; and
(f) Any other cost that the Director determines to be directly related to housing youthful offenders.
2. On or before July 30 of each year, the Director shall prepare and submit to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary a report regarding the expenses that were tracked by the system established pursuant to subsection 1 during the immediately preceding fiscal year.
3. As used in this section, “youthful offender” means an offender who is less than 18 years of age.
(Added to NRS by 2021, 1001)
NRS 209.351 Director to establish system of ongoing classification and evaluation for offenders and to maintain records. The Director shall:
1. Establish a system of ongoing classification and evaluation to ensure the individualized custody, care and training of offenders under the Department’s jurisdiction.
2. Keep, or cause to be kept, records for each offender containing:
(a) The offender’s name, age, date of birth, race, sex, height, weight, complexion, color of eyes and hair, peculiarities of build or features.
(b) The offender’s place of birth (state, county or city, or country, province or city).
(c) The offender’s occupation and whether the offender can read and write.
(d) The offender’s record of conviction, including the date of sentence, name of the judge passing sentence, county from which sentenced, crime charged, date of incarceration, term of imprisonment and expiration date of minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment.
(e) The medical records of the offender, including, but not limited to, medical records produced by the Department and medical records produced by a provider of health care outside the prison.
(f) Such other desirable or pertinent information as may be necessary.
3. Maintain a comprehensive record of the behavior of each offender reflecting his or her accomplishments and progress as well as charges of infractions of regulations, punishments imposed and medical services rendered.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 849; A 1987, 2239; 1997, 3182)
NRS 209.3515 Director may request or provide medical or mental health records of certain offenders.
1. The Director, through the Medical Director, may request from the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services access to any records in its possession which contain information that may assist in evaluating, caring for and providing treatment to an offender who previously was committed to the custody of or ordered to report to the Administrator or the Administrator’s designee pursuant to NRS 178.425 or 178.460.
2. Unless otherwise ordered by a court, upon a request for access to records of an offender pursuant to subsection 1, the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide access to any such records, including, without limitation, relevant medical and mental health records, for the limited purpose of allowing the Director or the Medical Director to evaluate, care for and provide treatment to the offender.
3. The Director, through the Medical Director, may provide to the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services or to other community medical or mental health care providers, relevant medical and mental health records of an offender serving a term of imprisonment under the custody of the Department of Corrections, for the purposes of planning the discharge of the offender and assuring the continuity of evaluation, care and treatment of the offender in the community after release from incarceration.
4. No oral or written consent of the offender is required to obtain access to records from the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Corrections pursuant to this section.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 1256; A 2017, 356)
NRS 209.3517 Director may apply for determination of eligibility for Medicaid on behalf of offender. The Director of the Department or his or her designee may, after informing an offender, apply for a determination of eligibility for Medicaid on behalf of the offender.
(Added to NRS by 2013, 3184)
NRS 209.352 Director may establish system for offender management. The Director may establish, with the approval of the Board, a system for offender management, to be implemented in each institution and facility of the Department, which consists of structured living programs for offenders and the management of units by the staff, with levels of custody, security and privileges and opportunities for offenders based upon the assessed needs of the offenders as determined by their initial and ongoing classification and evaluation.
(Added to NRS by 2001 Special Session, 192)
NRS 209.353 Department to collect and submit information regarding offenders to Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History. The Department shall collect and submit to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History:
1. A record of:
(a) The name and fingerprints of each offender serving a term of imprisonment in an institution or facility of the Department;
(b) The length of the term of imprisonment of the offender, including, without limitation, the number of days served during a period of pretrial detention, if any; and
(c) The date of admission of the offender; and
2. A notice of the release of each offender.
(Added to NRS by 1999, 2095)
NRS 209.354 Department to monitor each private facility or institution which houses prisoners who are incarcerated pursuant to authority of another state; reimbursement for costs of such monitoring.
1. The Department shall monitor each private facility or institution which houses prisoners who are incarcerated pursuant to the authority of another state to ensure that the custody and care of the prisoners comply with the requirements of the Nevada Constitution and the Constitution of the United States.
2. A private facility or institution which is monitored by the Department pursuant to subsection 1 shall reimburse the Department for the costs of such monitoring. The Department shall determine the cost of the monitoring required by subsection 1 on a per-prisoner basis.
(Added to NRS by 2009, 2821)
NRS 209.356 Director to establish program of regimental discipline. The Director, with the approval of the Board, shall establish and administer a program of regimental discipline for persons who are ordered to undergo such a program pursuant to NRS 176A.780. The program must include:
1. Incarceration and segregation of the persons in an appropriate facility of the Department;
2. Strenuous physical exercise and hard labor;
3. Military drills; and
4. Sessions for instruction in:
(a) The recognition and prevention of alcohol and other substance use disorders;
(b) The management of stress;
(c) Building character;
(d) Learning to behave in a rational manner; and
(e) Preparing for and obtaining employment.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 1852)
NRS 209.358 Director to adopt regulations regarding offenders who are transgender, gender non-conforming, gender non-binary and intersex. The Director shall, with the approval of the Board, adopt regulations prescribing standards in each institution and facility of the Department for the supervision, custody, care, security, housing and medical and mental health treatment of offenders who are transgender, gender non-conforming, gender non-binary and intersex. The regulations must:
1. Apply the generally accepted standards of care and best practices for the supervision, custody, care, security, housing and medical and mental health treatment of offenders who are transgender, gender non-conforming, gender non-binary and intersex;
2. Use respectful language and currently accepted terminology that accounts for and protects the rights of offenders who are transgender, gender non-conforming, gender non-binary and intersex; and
3. Prohibit the discrimination of offenders who are transgender, gender non-conforming, gender non-binary and intersex.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 722)
NRS 209.361 Director to adopt regulations and penalties for violations. The Director shall:
1. Adopt with the approval of the Board such regulations as are necessary to:
(a) Maintain proper custody of an offender in accordance with the offender’s current classification.
(b) Prevent escapes and maintain good order and discipline.
2. Establish procedures by regulation for disposing of cases involving violations of law in institutions or facilities of the Department.
3. Establish sanctions appropriate to the type and severity of such violations.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 850; A 1983, 722)
NRS 209.362 Adoption of policy for interactions between male correctional staff member and woman who is incarcerated; requirements of policy.
1. Subject to the approval of the Director, the warden of each institution and the manager of each facility shall adopt a policy setting forth standards of conduct for interactions between a male correctional staff member and a woman who is incarcerated in the institution or facility.
2. The policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must:
(a) Be consistent with any other applicable laws or regulations;
(b) Prohibit a male correctional staff member from conducting an inspection or search of a woman who is incarcerated in the institution or facility and is in a state of undress in a private location, unless:
(1) There are extraordinary circumstances; and
(2) A female correctional staff member, or any female staff member of the institution or facility if a female correctional staff member is unavailable, is present at the time of the inspection or search; and
(c) Include, without limitation, a requirement that a male correctional staff member who inspects or searches a woman pursuant to paragraph (b) submit to the warden of the institution or manager of the facility a written report concerning the inspection or search.
3. A written report filed pursuant to subsection 2 must:
(a) Be filed not later than 72 hours after the inspection or search occurs; and
(b) Include a description of the inspection or search and any other information requested by the warden or manager, as applicable.
4. As used in this section:
(a) “Private location” means an area in an institution or facility in which a woman has a reasonable expectation of privacy, including, without limitation, an area which contains a shower or toilet, a medical examination room or an area in which body cavity searches are conducted.
(b) “State of undress” means that the naked or undergarment-clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks or breast of a woman are exposed.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2920)
NRS 209.365 Director to establish program to prevent offenders from possessing or receiving certain publications.
1. The Director shall adopt, with the approval of the Board, regulations establishing and governing a program, to be carried out within each facility and institution, to prevent an offender from possessing or receiving a publication which is detrimental to the offender’s rehabilitation or which has the potential to disrupt security or promote violence or disorder in the facility or institution because the subject matter of the publication:
(a) Is sexually explicit;
(b) Is graphically violent; or
(c) Encourages or glamorizes:
(1) Crime;
(2) The activities of a criminal gang; or
(3) Violence against law enforcement, women, children or members of a particular religion, ethnic group or race or persons of a particular sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
2. The regulations must provide that if an offender is prohibited from possessing or receiving a publication pursuant to this section, the offender possessing or receiving the publication must be provided with notice of the determination and an opportunity to appeal the determination. An appeal may be summarily denied if the appeal involves a publication that is similar to a publication that previously has been prohibited.
3. The establishment of the program required pursuant to this section does not affect:
(a) The authority of the Department to review materials that are possessed or received by an offender, including, but not limited to, publications, for any other lawful purpose or reason; or
(b) The procedures used by the Department to conduct such reviews.
4. The Department and its officers, employees and independent contractors are immune from liability for damages arising from an act or omission that allows an offender to possess or receive a publication that is prohibited pursuant to this section.
5. As used in this section:
(a) “Criminal gang” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 213.1263.
(b) “Publication” means a book, magazine, newsletter, bulletin, pamphlet or other similar item as determined by the Director.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 1640; A 2017, 1066)
NRS 209.367 Director to establish program for testing of offenders for use of alcohol and controlled substances.
1. The Director shall establish a program, to be carried out within each facility and institution, that provides for periodic testing of offenders for use of alcohol and controlled substances. The program must provide that the selection of offenders to be tested for use of alcohol and controlled substances must be made on a random basis.
2. The Director shall adopt, with the approval of the Board, regulations governing the operation of the program. The regulations must set forth the procedure for testing, including, but not limited to:
(a) The types of tests to be used;
(b) The manner in which a sample for a test is to be obtained;
(c) The persons who are authorized to obtain a sample for a test; and
(d) The method for preserving the chain of custody of a sample obtained for a test.
3. The Department shall inform the offenders in each facility and institution of the requirement to submit to a test and the sanctions for refusing or failing to submit to a test and for using alcohol or a controlled substance. The Department may provide this information through a general notice posted or distributed in each facility and institution.
4. The Department may sanction, pursuant to subsection 5, an offender:
(a) Who refuses or fails to submit to a test;
(b) Whose test detects alcohol or a controlled substance;
(c) Who manufactures, possesses, uses, sells, supplies, provides, distributes, conceals or stores alcohol or a controlled substance; or
(d) Who attempts to manufacture, possess, use, sell, supply, provide, distribute, conceal or store alcohol or a controlled substance.
5. In addition to any other sanction or penalty that may be imposed pursuant to law or regulation, an offender who violates subsection 4 may be sanctioned by:
(a) Forfeiture of all deductions of time earned by the offender before commission of the violation or forfeiture of such part of those deductions as the Director considers just, pursuant to NRS 209.451; and
(b) Denial of the privilege to have visitors for a specified period, as determined by the Director.
6. If alcohol or a controlled substance is found in a facility or institution, the Director may order that for a specified period:
(a) The offenders housed in the general area where the alcohol or controlled substance is found; or
(b) All offenders in the facility or institution,
Ê be confined to their cells or housing units or be denied the privilege to have visitors, or both.
7. The establishment of the program to test offenders for use of alcohol and controlled substances pursuant to this section does not affect:
(a) The authority of the Department to test an offender for use of alcohol or a controlled substance for any other lawful purpose or reason; or
(b) The procedures used by the Department to conduct such tests.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 1641)
NRS 209.368 Solitary confinement: Regulations. The Director shall adopt, with the approval of the Board, such regulations as are necessary to ensure that solitary confinement may only be used:
1. As a last resort, when the offender must be separated from the general population in a secure environment;
2. In the least restrictive manner; and
3. For the shortest period of time safely possible.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2428)
NRS 209.3683 Solitary confinement: Limitation on placement of offender in solitary confinement; removal of offender from solitary confinement; rights and privileges of offender placed in solitary confinement.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 209.3685 or 209.369, the Department or a private facility or institution shall not place an offender in solitary confinement:
(a) For a period which exceeds 15 consecutive days;
(b) Within 90 days of the date on which the offender is projected to be released from the custody of the Department; or
(c) If the offender has a serious mental illness or other significant mental impairment, unless a provider of health care orders the solitary confinement for the safety of the offender, staff or any other person.
2. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 209.369, the Department may remove an offender from solitary confinement at any time if the offender has demonstrated good behavior.
3. If an offender is placed in solitary confinement, the offender must, while placed in solitary confinement, be afforded the same privileges identified in paragraph (b) of subsection 5 of NRS 209.369 as are afforded to an offender placed in disciplinary segregation.
4. The Department shall ensure that each offender placed in solitary confinement receives a health and welfare check conducted at least once each day by a provider of health care at his or her cell.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2428)
NRS 209.3685 Solitary confinement: Continuation of placement of offender in solitary confinement; limitations; review of and individualized treatment plan for offender; removal of offender from solitary confinement upon request; report; recording of review; retention of certain documents.
1. The Department may continue to keep an offender placed in solitary confinement for more than 15 days if:
(a) The offender refuses to be removed from solitary confinement at the end of the 15-day period;
(b) A provider of health care recommends that the offender be kept in solitary confinement due to medical necessity; or
(c) A multidisciplinary team recommends a continuation of solitary confinement for the offender after a determination from the review conducted pursuant to subsection 3 that the offender presents a threat to the safety or health of other offenders or correctional staff.
2. The continuation of solitary confinement of an offender pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1 must not exceed an additional period of 15 consecutive days, after which the offender must be removed from solitary confinement and the multidisciplinary team shall determine whether a return to solitary confinement is necessary.
3. A multidisciplinary team shall conduct a review of each offender placed in solitary confinement and shall develop an individualized treatment plan for the offender before the offender is removed from solitary confinement. The treatment plan may contain, without limitation, recommendations relating to staff intervention, housing placement in the facility or institution and any other recommendations that the multidisciplinary team deems appropriate. If required by exigent circumstances, a member of the multidisciplinary team who is unable to be present for the review may, through remote communication:
(a) Attend the review; and
(b) Participate in any discussion concerning the review of the offender.
4. If an offender is kept in solitary confinement pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1 and, at any time, requests removal from solitary confinement, the offender must be removed from solitary confinement within 24 hours after the request for removal.
5. If an offender is kept in solitary confinement for a period of more than 15 consecutive days pursuant to this section, the multidisciplinary team must submit a report to the Director within 24 hours after the determination to continue solitary confinement, and every 15 days thereafter during which the offender remains in solitary confinement, which must include, without limitation:
(a) The name of the offender;
(b) A description of the reasons for the continuation of solitary confinement; and
(c) Any plan developed for the removal of the offender from solitary confinement.
6. Any meeting or discussion concerning the review conducted pursuant to subsection 3 or a determination to continue solitary confinement for an offender pursuant to this section must be:
(a) Recorded in writing or otherwise documented; and
(b) Kept by the Department for at least 1 year.
7. As used in this section:
(a) “Mental health clinician” means:
(1) A psychiatrist licensed to practice medicine in this State and certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology;
(2) A psychologist licensed to practice in this State;
(3) A social worker who:
(I) Is licensed in this State as a clinical social worker;
(II) Holds a master’s degree in social work; and
(III) Is employed by the Department;
(4) A registered nurse who:
(I) Is licensed to practice professional nursing in this State;
(II) Holds a master’s degree in the field of psychiatric nursing; and
(III) Is employed by the Department;
(5) A marriage and family therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 641A of NRS; or
(6) A clinical professional counselor licensed pursuant to chapter 641A of NRS.
(b) “Multidisciplinary team” means a team which must consist of the following persons:
(1) A correctional officer who works in the housing unit to which the offender is assigned;
(2) A mental health clinician;
(3) A case worker;
(4) A correctional supervisor;
(5) An associate warden; and
(6) Any other staff member deemed necessary by the Director.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2428)
NRS 209.369 Limitation on imposition of disciplinary segregation; placement in solitary confinement for safety of offender; procedure for imposition of disciplinary segregation; requirement for psychological evaluation; request for release; conditions of disciplinary segregation.
1. The Department or a private facility or institution shall not place an offender in disciplinary segregation unless the offender is found guilty of an infraction after:
(a) Notice and a hearing pursuant to subsection 3; and
(b) If applicable, a psychological evaluation pursuant to subsection 4.
2. An offender who is confined in an institution or facility of the Department or a private facility or institution may request placement in solitary confinement to protect his or her safety. The Department or private facility or institution shall not place such an offender in solitary confinement unless:
(a) The Department or private facility or institution performs an independent assessment of the threat to the offender and determines that the placement in solitary confinement is necessary to protect the safety of the offender; and
(b) The offender is placed in solitary confinement only for the duration of the threat.
3. Upon the filing of a disciplinary action against an offender that may result in the sanction of disciplinary segregation of the offender, the Department or private facility or institution shall:
(a) Serve written notice of the charges against the offender which sets forth the reasons for the filing of the disciplinary action against the offender and a notice that the offender may appeal any discipline or punishment imposed on the offender as a result of a hearing unless the offender has agreed to a bargained plea.
(b) Hold a hearing concerning the charges against the offender not later than 15 days after the alleged violation or not later than 15 days after the completion of the investigation of the alleged violation, whichever is later. A hearing held pursuant to this paragraph must be presided over by an officer or employee of the Department or private facility or institution who has no direct involvement in the incident constituting an alleged violation. At the hearing, the offender must be allowed to present documentary evidence germane to the alleged violation and to call one or more witnesses with substantive, relevant knowledge of the issues involved in the alleged violation except for a witness who has been discharged, who is not located at the facility or institution where the hearing is being conducted or who poses a threat to safety or security at the hearing. The presiding officer or employee may find that the offender committed an infraction of the rules of the institution or facility only if he or she finds, based on the evidence presented at the hearing, that there is evidence that the infraction occurred and that the offender more likely than not committed the infraction. The presiding officer or employee must provide to the offender a written statement of the evidence supporting the determination of the presiding officer or employee unless providing such a written statement would jeopardize the safety or security of the institution or facility or the safety of the staff or offenders in the institution or facility. That presiding officer or employee shall not sanction an offender to disciplinary segregation for a fixed period. Any period for which the offender is sanctioned to disciplinary segregation must be expressed in terms of the maximum number of days the offender may be subjected to disciplinary segregation.
4. The Department or private facility or institution must refer the offender for a psychological evaluation before holding a hearing pursuant to subsection 3 if, at any stage of the disciplinary process set forth in subsection 3:
(a) It is known or suspected that a mental health condition or medical condition of the offender was a substantial cause of the alleged violation;
(b) The offender is assigned to a mental health program of the Department or private facility or institution; or
(c) The offender has been diagnosed as seriously mentally ill.
Ê If, during the psychological evaluation, the staff of the Department or private facility or institution has reason to believe that the alleged violation by the offender may have been the result of a medical condition of the offender, including, without limitation, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury, the staff of the Department or private facility or institution must refer the offender to the medical staff of the institution or facility for a medical review and recommendation before holding a hearing pursuant to subsection 3.
5. If the sanction of disciplinary segregation is imposed on an offender, the offender:
(a) May, after serving one-half of the period for which the offender is sanctioned to disciplinary segregation, petition the warden of the institution or facility for removal from disciplinary segregation if the offender has demonstrated good behavior. The offender must be advised that he or she may petition the warden pursuant to this paragraph.
(b) Must, while subject to disciplinary segregation, be:
(1) Allowed to wear his or her personal clothing issued by the Department;
(2) Served the same meal and ration as is provided to offenders in general population unless the offender is placed on a special diet for health or religious reasons;
(3) Allowed visitation or access to a telephone;
(4) Allowed all first-class and legal mail addressed to the offender;
(5) Permitted a minimum of at least 5 hours of exercise per week, unless doing so would present a threat to the safety or security of the institution or facility;
(6) Given access to reading materials; and
(7) Given access to materials from the law library in the institution or facility.
6. The period for which an offender may be held in disciplinary segregation must be the minimum time required to address the disciplinary sanction or threat of harm to the offender, staff or any other person or to the security of the institution or facility, as defined by the regulations adopted by the Board. Such a period must not exceed 15 consecutive days, unless a determination is made to keep an offender placed in solitary confinement pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 209.3685.
7. On or before December 31 of each year, the Department shall submit a report concerning the use of solitary confinement by the Department and private facilities and institutions to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the next session of the Legislature, if the report is submitted during an even-numbered year, or the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary, if the report is submitted in an odd-numbered year. The report must include, without limitation, the following information, provided in the aggregate and without any personally identifiable information:
(a) The number of offenders placed in solitary confinement, in total and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and gender identity or expression.
(b) The periods of time, and the number of offenders for each such period, for which offenders were placed in solitary confinement.
(c) The number of offenders who were placed in solitary confinement for a period of more than 15 days and a summary of the reasons for such placement.
(Added to NRS by 2017, 3193; A 2023, 2431)
NRS 209.371 Corporal punishment and inhumane treatment prohibited. Corporal punishment and inhumane treatment of offenders are prohibited.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 850)
NRS 209.375 Care of offender who is pregnant: Access to certain services required; adoption of certain policies concerning care of offenders who are pregnant required; regulations.
1. The Department shall provide an offender who is pregnant and in the custody of the Department access to necessary medical and behavioral health care services, including, without limitation, obstetrical services.
2. Subject to the approval of the Director, the warden of each institution and the manager of each facility shall adopt a policy for the prenatal and postnatal care of offenders. Any such policy must be consistent with any other applicable laws or regulations.
3. A policy adopted pursuant to subsection 2 must include, without limitation:
(a) A requirement that each offender who is pregnant receive:
(1) Training, educational programming or written materials concerning prenatal care, pregnancy, hygiene and health concerns relating to pregnancy, the impact of alcohol and drugs on a fetus, labor, the care of newborns and the postpartum period;
(2) Prenatal vitamins or supplements, as deemed necessary by the Medical Director;
(3) A diet containing the nutrients necessary to maintain a healthy pregnancy, as deemed necessary by the Medical Director;
(4) Any hygiene products which are reasonably necessary and specifically designed for a person who is pregnant; and
(5) Counseling regarding parenting skills; and
(b) A requirement that each offender who delivers a baby while in the custody of the Department:
(1) Receives appropriate, trauma-informed medical care at the institution or facility, including, without limitation, treatment for postpartum depression;
(2) Receives counseling regarding parenting skills upon the request of the offender; and
(3) To be provided an opportunity to bond with a baby delivered while in the custody of the Department for a minimum period of not less than 72 hours after delivery.
4. The counseling and written materials required by subsection 3 must be communicated or written in easily understood language.
5. The Department shall develop and adopt a policy to be carried out in each institution and facility concerning the physical and mental health of offenders who are pregnant. In developing such a policy, the Department shall take into consideration the impact of certain actions on the offender and the fetus, including, without limitation, the impact of:
(a) The use of restraints; and
(b) An invasive body cavity search.
6. The Department shall adopt any regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
7. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require an institution or facility to adopt any policy that does not comply with federal law or regulation.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2921)
NRS 209.376 Care of offender who is pregnant: Limitations on use of restraints on offender who is in labor, delivering her baby or in the postpartum period; report.
1. No restraints of any kind may be used on an offender who is in labor, delivering her baby or in the postpartum period, unless there are compelling reasons to believe that the offender presents:
(a) A serious and immediate threat of harm to herself, staff or others; or
(b) A substantial flight risk and cannot be reasonably confined by other means.
2. If an offender who is in labor, delivering her baby or in the postpartum period is restrained, only the least restrictive restraints which are necessary to ensure safety and security may be used.
3. A correctional staff member who orders the use of restraints on an offender who is pregnant or in the postpartum period shall submit a written report to the warden of the institution or manager of the facility. The report must:
(a) Describe the reasons for the use of the restraints on the offender; and
(b) Be submitted to the warden or manager within 5 hours after the use of the restraints.
4. As used in this section:
(a) “Postpartum period” means the period of time an offender is recuperating from delivering a baby, as determined by the physician of the offender, immediately following delivery and directly related to the birth, including the period an offender is in a hospital or infirmary after birth.
(b) “Restraints” means any physical restraint or mechanical device used to control the movement of the limbs of a person, including, without limitation, flex cuffs, soft restraints, hard metal handcuffs, a black box, Chubb cuffs, leg irons, belly chains, a security tether chain or a convex shield.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 307; A 2023, 2922)
NRS 209.381 Diet, housing and hygiene of offenders; medical and dental services of institutions and facilities.
1. Each offender in an institution or facility of the Department must be provided a healthful diet and appropriate, sanitary housing.
2. The Director with the approval of the Board shall establish standards for personal hygiene of offenders and for the medical and dental services of each institution or facility.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 850; A 1983, 722)
NRS 209.3813 Access to prescription medication. If an offender in the custody of the Department requires prescription medication for any physical or mental illness, the Department shall ensure that:
1. If the prescription is new, the prescription is transmitted to a licensed pharmacy and filled as soon as possible; or
2. If the prescription is a refill, the prescription is refilled on or before the date on which the current supply of the prescription medication is exhausted.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 1093)
NRS 209.3814 Completion of medical release of information form by offender; notification of certain persons if offender is hospitalized for or diagnosed with critical medical condition.
1. The Department shall ensure that each offender:
(a) Completes a medical release of information form at the time of intake; and
(b) Has the ability to update a completed medical release of information form as necessary.
2. If an offender in the custody of the Department is hospitalized for or diagnosed with a critical medical condition which requires the offender to stay in a medical facility overnight, the Department shall, within 24 hours after such hospitalization or diagnosis, attempt to inform all persons authorized by the current medical release of information form about the health status of the offender.
3. If an offender in the custody of the Department is hospitalized for or diagnosed with a critical medical condition which does not require the offender to stay in a medical facility overnight, the Department shall, within 4 hours after the return of the offender to the institution or facility at which the offender is incarcerated, provide the offender with the opportunity to make a telephone call to a friend, relative or other person to inform the person about the health status of the offender.
4. As used in this section:
(a) “Critical medical condition” means a condition diagnosed by a provider of health care that:
(1) Is terminal;
(2) Requires life-sustaining medical treatment;
(3) Involves a significant risk of death; or
(4) Involves extreme physical illness, including, without limitation, an extreme physical illness resulting from a drug or alcohol overdose.
(b) “Drug or alcohol overdose” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 453C.150.
(c) “Medical facility” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 449.0151.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 1093)
NRS 209.3815 Autopsy of offenders. The Director, in consultation with the Medical Director and the Inspector General of the Department, shall request the coroner, or any other person so authorized, to conduct an autopsy of any offender who dies while in the custody of the Department, if the next of kin:
1. Consents to the autopsy; or
2. Does not notify the Director of any objection to the autopsy within 72 hours after the death.
(Added to NRS by 2013, 1883; A 2017, 357)
NRS 209.3817 Care of women in custody: Completion of form at intake; access to certain services; provision of feminine hygiene products; regulations.
1. The Department shall ensure that each woman who is assigned to an institution or facility completes a form at the time of intake to assess the needs of the woman while in the custody of the Department. The form must include, without limitation, questions relating to:
(a) How recently the woman has received preventative gynecological care and, if applicable, obstetrical care; and
(b) The needs of the woman for feminine hygiene products for the purpose of providing the woman with a suitable supply of feminine hygiene products.
2. The Department shall provide a woman who is in the custody of the Department access to necessary medical and behavioral health care services, including:
(a) Counseling pertaining to mental health or a substance use disorder;
(b) Medication prescribed for the treatment for mental health issues;
(c) An annual pelvic examination and mammography; and
(d) Any appropriate follow-up care necessary for a woman who receives an examination pursuant to paragraph (c).
3. The Department shall provide a woman who is in the custody of the Department with a sufficient supply of feminine hygiene products at no cost. The Department shall provide the woman with a preferred type of feminine hygiene products upon request. A woman may at any time inform the Department of a need to adjust the supply of feminine hygiene products necessary to constitute a sufficient supply for the needs of the woman.
4. The Department shall adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
5. As used in this section:
(a) “Feminine hygiene product” means a sanitary napkin, tampon or other similar item used during a menstrual cycle.
(b) “Mammography” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 457.182.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2920)
NRS 209.382 Chief Medical Officer to examine and report on medical and dental services, diet of offenders, sanitation and safety in institutions and facilities.
1. The Chief Medical Officer shall periodically examine and shall report to the Board semiannually upon the following operations of the Department:
(a) The medical and dental services and places where they are provided, based upon the standards for medical facilities as provided in chapter 449 of NRS.
(b) The nutritional adequacy of the diet of incarcerated offenders taking into account the religious or medical dietary needs of an offender and the adjustment of dietary allowances for age, sex and level of activity.
(c) The sanitation, healthfulness, cleanliness and safety of its various institutions and facilities.
2. The Board shall take appropriate action to remedy any deficiencies reported pursuant to subsection 1.
(Added to NRS by 1979, 632; A 1985, 252; 2001 Special Session, 194)
NRS 209.3825 Order by court affecting conditions of confinement of prisoner; Director entitled to notice and opportunity to be heard; exception.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a court issuing an order at the request of a prisoner in a state prison that affects the conditions of confinement of the prisoner shall provide the Director with:
(a) Sufficient prior notice of the intention of the court to enter the order; and
(b) An opportunity to be heard on the issue.
2. The court is not required to provide the Director with prior notice pursuant to subsection 1 if the prisoner has commenced an action with the court challenging the conditions of his or her confinement and has served a copy of the action on the Director and the Attorney General.
3. As used in this section, “conditions of confinement” include, without limitation, the access of a prisoner to the resources of a law library, the privileges of a prisoner to receive visitors and to use a telephone, the type of meals provided to the prisoner, the place of confinement of a prisoner and the provision of medical care to a prisoner in a situation that is not an emergency.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 3174)
NRS 209.387 Legislative findings and declarations regarding programs for education of offenders. The Legislature finds and declares that the program for general education of offenders and the program of education of offenders in English as a second language are acts of grace of the State. No offender has a right to participate in such a program, and it is not intended that the establishment of such programs create any such right or interest in liberty or property or establish a basis for any cause of action against the State, its political subdivisions, agencies, boards, commissions, departments, officers or employees.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 2516)
NRS 209.389 Board to establish programs for general education, vocational education and training and other rehabilitation.
1. The Board shall establish by regulation programs of general education, vocational education and training and other rehabilitation for offenders.
2. The regulations must take appropriate account of the following matters:
(a) The educational level and needs of offenders;
(b) Opportunities for employment when the offender is released from custody;
(c) Interests of offenders; and
(d) The number of offenders desiring participation in such programs.
3. The regulations must provide for an assessment of these programs at least every 3 years by qualified persons, professional groups or trade associations.
4. No offender has a right to be admitted to a program of education, vocational education and training or other rehabilitation programs established pursuant to this section, and it is not intended that the establishment of such programs or the failure to establish such programs creates any right or interest in liberty or property or establishes a basis for any cause of action against the State, its political subdivisions, agencies, boards, commissions, departments officers or employees.
(Added to NRS by 1979, 308; A 1979, 1379; 1989, 1884)
NRS 209.391 Director to administer programs of education, training and rehabilitation, to establish programs for counseling, research, statistics and planning and to purchase textbooks. The Director shall:
1. Establish programs to provide medical, psychological, psychiatric and other appropriate forms of counseling to offenders under the jurisdiction of the Department in accordance with classification requirements.
2. Administer programs of general education, vocational training and other rehabilitation for offenders established by the Board.
3. Within the limits of legislative appropriations, purchase textbooks for use by offenders who are enrolled in courses of general education and vocational training offered by any branch or facility of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Any textbooks purchased pursuant to this section must remain the property of the State and must be reissued to offenders as appropriate.
4. Within the limits of legislative appropriations, establish programs of research, statistics and planning to:
(a) Determine and review periodically the effectiveness of the Department’s programs of education, vocational training and other rehabilitation for offenders;
(b) Provide annually, and at other times when so requested, to the Board, the Governor and the Legislature information pertaining to:
(1) The number of offenders who are participating in and who complete those programs;
(2) The effectiveness of those programs in accomplishing their purposes; and
(3) The number of offenders who are returned to prison after their release; and
(c) Effect appropriate changes in the programs established by the Board.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 850; A 1979, 309, 1379; 1987, 1174; 1993, 365)
NRS 209.392 Residential confinement: Duration; notification to victim; eligibility; violation of terms or conditions; status; restitution.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 209.3923, 209.3925 and 209.429, the Director may, at the request of an offender who is eligible for residential confinement pursuant to the standards adopted by the Director pursuant to subsection 3 and who has:
(a) Demonstrated a willingness and ability to establish a position of employment in the community;
(b) Demonstrated a willingness and ability to enroll in a program for education or rehabilitation; or
(c) Demonstrated an ability to pay for all or part of the costs of the offender’s confinement and to meet any existing obligation for restitution to any victim of his or her crime,
Ê assign the offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety to serve a term of residential confinement, pursuant to NRS 213.380, for not longer than the remainder of his or her sentence.
2. Upon receiving a request to serve a term of residential confinement from an eligible offender, the Director shall notify the Division of Parole and Probation. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 213.10915, if any victim of a crime committed by the offender has, pursuant to subsection 4 of NRS 213.131, requested to be notified of the consideration of a prisoner for parole and has provided a current address, the Division of Parole and Probation shall notify the victim of the offender’s request and advise the victim that the victim may submit documents regarding the request to the Division of Parole and Probation. If a current address has not been provided as required by subsection 4 of NRS 213.131, the Division of Parole and Probation must not be held responsible if such notification is not received by the victim. All personal information, including, but not limited to, a current or former address, which pertains to a victim and which is received by the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this subsection is confidential.
3. The Director, after consulting with the Division of Parole and Probation, shall adopt, by regulation, standards providing which offenders are eligible for residential confinement. The standards adopted by the Director must provide that an offender who:
(a) Has recently committed a serious infraction of the rules of an institution or facility of the Department;
(b) Has not performed the duties assigned to the offender in a faithful and orderly manner;
(c) Has been convicted of:
(1) Any crime that is punishable as a felony involving the use or threatened use of force or violence against the victim within the immediately preceding 3 years;
(2) A sexual offense that is punishable as a felony; or
(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, a category A or B felony;
(d) Has more than one prior conviction for any felony in this State or any offense in another state that would be a felony if committed in this State, not including a violation of NRS 484C.110, 484C.120, 484C.130, 484C.430, 488.420, 488.425 or 488.427; or
(e) Has escaped or attempted to escape from any jail or correctional institution for adults,
Ê is not eligible for assignment to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation to serve a term of residential confinement pursuant to this section.
4. The standards adopted by the Director pursuant to subsection 3 must provide that an offender who has been convicted of a category B felony is eligible for assignment to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation to serve a term of residential confinement pursuant to this section if:
(a) The offender is not otherwise ineligible pursuant to subsection 3 for an assignment to serve a term of residential confinement; and
(b) The Director makes a written finding that such an assignment of the offender is not likely to pose a threat to the safety of the public.
5. If an offender assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section escapes or violates any of the terms or conditions of the offender’s residential confinement:
(a) The Division of Parole and Probation may, pursuant to the procedure set forth in NRS 213.410, return the offender to the custody of the Department.
(b) The offender forfeits all or part of the credits for good behavior earned by the offender before the escape or violation, as determined by the Director. The Director may provide for a forfeiture of credits pursuant to this paragraph only after proof of the offense and notice to the offender and may restore credits forfeited for such reasons as the Director considers proper. The decision of the Director regarding such a forfeiture is final.
6. The assignment of an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section shall be deemed:
(a) A continuation of the offender’s imprisonment and not a release on parole; and
(b) For the purposes of NRS 209.341, an assignment to a facility of the Department,
Ê except that the offender is not entitled to obtain any benefits or to participate in any programs provided to offenders in the custody of the Department.
7. An offender does not have a right to be assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section, or to remain in that custody after such an assignment, and it is not intended that the provisions of this section or of NRS 213.371 to 213.410, inclusive, create any right or interest in liberty or property or establish a basis for any cause of action against the State, its political subdivisions, agencies, boards, commissions, departments, officers or employees.
8. The Division of Parole and Probation may receive and distribute restitution paid by an offender assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 1358; A 1997, 2412, 3242; 1999, 128, 659, 1276; 2001, 2583; 2001 Special Session, 137; 2003, 180; 2005, 165; 2007, 3172; 2009, 1886, 2510; 2011, 62; 2013, 187, 380; 2019, 3065)
NRS 209.3923 Residential confinement or other appropriate supervision of certain older offenders: Eligibility; notification to victim; effect of violation of terms and conditions; status; restitution.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6, the Director may assign an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety to serve a term of residential confinement pursuant to NRS 213.380 or other appropriate supervision as determined by the Division of Parole and Probation, for not longer than the remainder of his or her sentence, if the offender:
(a) Is 65 years of age or older;
(b) Has not been convicted of:
(1) A crime of violence;
(2) A crime against a child as defined in NRS 179D.0357;
(3) A sexual offense as defined in NRS 179D.097;
(4) Vehicular homicide pursuant to NRS 484C.130; or
(5) A violation of NRS 484C.430; and
(c) Has served at least a majority of the maximum term or maximum aggregate term, as applicable, of his or her sentence.
2. If the Director intends to assign an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section, at least 45 days before the date the offender is expected to be released from the custody of the Department, the Director shall notify:
(a) The board of county commissioners of the county in which the offender will reside; and
(b) The Division of Parole and Probation.
3. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 213.10915, if any victim of a crime committed by the offender has, pursuant to subsection 4 of NRS 213.131, requested to be notified of the consideration of a prisoner for parole and has provided a current address, the Division of Parole and Probation shall notify the victim that:
(a) The Director intends to assign the offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section; and
(b) The victim may submit documents to the Division of Parole and Probation regarding such an assignment.
Ê If a current address has not been provided by a victim as required by subsection 4 of NRS 213.131, the Division of Parole and Probation must not be held responsible if notification is not received by the victim. All personal information, including, without limitation, a current or former address, which pertains to a victim and which is received by the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this subsection is confidential.
4. If an offender assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section escapes or violates any of the terms or conditions of his or her residential confinement or other appropriate supervision as determined by the Division of Parole and Probation:
(a) The Division of Parole and Probation may, pursuant to the procedure set forth in NRS 213.410, return the offender to the custody of the Department.
(b) The offender forfeits all or part of the credits for good behavior earned by the offender before the escape or violation, as determined by the Director. The Director may provide for a forfeiture of credits pursuant to this paragraph only after proof of the offense and notice to the offender and may restore credits forfeited for such reasons as the Director considers proper. The decision of the Director regarding such a forfeiture is final.
5. The assignment of an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section shall be deemed:
(a) A continuation of the offender’s imprisonment and not a release on parole; and
(b) For the purposes of NRS 209.341, an assignment to a facility of the Department,
Ê except that the offender is not entitled to obtain any benefits or to participate in any programs provided to offenders in the custody of the Department.
6. The Director may not assign an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section if the offender is sentenced to death or imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole.
7. An offender does not have a right to be assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section, or to remain in that custody after such an assignment, and it is not intended that the provisions of this section or of NRS 213.371 to 213.410, inclusive, create any right or interest in liberty or property or establish a basis for any cause of action against the State, its political subdivisions, agencies, boards, commissions, departments, officers or employees.
8. The Division of Parole and Probation may receive and distribute restitution paid by an offender assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section.
9. As used in this section, “crime of violence” means any offense involving the use or threatened use of force or violence against another person.
(Added to NRS by 2019, 3063)
NRS 209.3925 Residential confinement or other appropriate supervision of offenders who are physically incapacitated or in ill health: Eligibility; request for medical release; duration; notice; notification to victim; effect of violation of terms or conditions; status; restitution.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6, the Director may approve a medical release and assign an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety to serve a term of residential confinement pursuant to NRS 213.380 or other appropriate supervision as determined by the Division of Parole and Probation, for not longer than the remainder of his or her sentence, if:
(a) The Director has reason to believe that the offender is:
(1) Physically incapacitated or in ill health to such a degree that the offender does not presently, and likely will not in the future, pose a threat to the safety of the public; or
(2) In ill health and expected to die within 18 months, and does not presently, and likely will not in the future, pose a threat to the safety of the public; and
(b) At least two physicians or nurses licensed pursuant to chapter 630, 632 or 633 of NRS, as applicable, one of whom is not employed by the Department, verify, in writing, that the offender is:
(1) Physically incapacitated or in ill health; or
(2) In ill health and expected to die within 18 months.
2. A request for medical release pursuant to this section:
(a) May be submitted to the Director by:
(1) A prison official or employee;
(2) An offender;
(3) An attorney or representative of an offender;
(4) A family member of an offender; or
(5) A medical or mental health professional.
(b) Must be in writing and articulate the grounds supporting the appropriateness of the medical release of the offender.
3. If the Director intends to assign an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section, at least 45 days before the date the offender is expected to be released from the custody of the Department, the Director shall notify:
(a) The board of county commissioners of the county in which the offender will reside; and
(b) The Division of Parole and Probation.
4. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 213.10915, if any victim of a crime committed by the offender has, pursuant to subsection 4 of NRS 213.131, requested to be notified of the consideration of a prisoner for parole and has provided a current address, the Division of Parole and Probation shall notify the victim that:
(a) The Director intends to assign the offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section; and
(b) The victim may submit documents to the Division of Parole and Probation regarding such an assignment.
Ê If a current address has not been provided by a victim as required by subsection 4 of NRS 213.131, the Division of Parole and Probation must not be held responsible if notification is not received by the victim. All personal information, including, but not limited to, a current or former address, which pertains to a victim and which is received by the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this subsection is confidential.
5. If an offender assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section escapes or violates any of the terms or conditions of his or her residential confinement or other appropriate supervision as determined by the Division of Parole and Probation:
(a) The Division of Parole and Probation may, pursuant to the procedure set forth in NRS 213.410, return the offender to the custody of the Department.
(b) The offender forfeits all or part of the credits for good behavior earned by the offender before the escape or violation, as determined by the Director. The Director may provide for a forfeiture of credits pursuant to this paragraph only after proof of the offense and notice to the offender and may restore credits forfeited for such reasons as the Director considers proper. The decision of the Director regarding such a forfeiture is final.
6. The assignment of an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section shall be deemed:
(a) A continuation of the offender’s imprisonment and not a release on parole; and
(b) For the purposes of NRS 209.341, an assignment to a facility of the Department,
Ê except that the offender is not entitled to obtain any benefits or to participate in any programs provided to offenders in the custody of the Department.
7. The Director may not assign an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section if the offender is sentenced to death or imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole.
8. An offender does not have a right to be assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section, or to remain in that custody after such an assignment, and it is not intended that the provisions of this section or of NRS 213.371 to 213.410, inclusive, create any right or interest in liberty or property or establish a basis for any cause of action against the State, its political subdivisions, agencies, boards, commissions, departments, officers or employees.
9. The Division of Parole and Probation may receive and distribute restitution paid by an offender assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2410; A 1999, 130, 661, 1278; 2001, 2585; 2003, 1176, 2575; 2011, 64; 2013, 189, 382; 2019, 4445)
NRS 209.393 Regulations regarding literacy of offenders. The Board may adopt regulations which:
1. Designate a level of literacy in reading and writing which is consistent with that required by the State Board of Education for its pupils in the eighth grade.
2. Provide for the testing of each offender when he or she first becomes incarcerated, and as often as needed thereafter, to determine his or her ability to read and write.
3. Establish guidelines for evaluating the progress of an illiterate offender in an educational program.
4. Establish a course to teach English as a second language, if necessary.
5. Are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and NRS 209.396.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 2517)
NRS 209.396 Limitations on assignment of offender to industrial or vocational school; educational requirements for offender with developmental, learning or other disability.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, an offender who is illiterate may not be assigned to an industrial or a vocational program unless:
(a) The offender is regularly attending and making satisfactory progress in a program for general education; or
(b) The Director for good cause determines that the limitation on assignment should be waived under the circumstances with respect to a particular offender.
2. An offender whose:
(a) Native language is not English;
(b) Ability to read and write in his or her native language is at or above the level of literacy designated by the Board in its regulations; and
(c) Ability to read and write the English language is below the level of literacy designated by the Board in its regulations,
Ê may not be assigned to an industrial or a vocational program unless the offender is regularly attending and making satisfactory progress in a course which teaches English as a second language or the Director for good cause determines that the limitation on assignment should be waived under the circumstances with respect to a particular offender.
3. Upon written documentation that an illiterate offender has a developmental, learning or other similar disability which affects his or her ability to learn, the Director may:
(a) Adapt or create an educational program or guidelines for evaluating the educational progress of the offender to meet his or her particular needs; or
(b) Exempt the offender from the required participation in an educational program prescribed by this section.
4. The provisions of this section do not apply to an offender who presents satisfactory evidence that the offender has a:
(a) High school diploma; or
(b) General educational development certificate or an equivalent document.
5. As used in this section, “illiterate” means having an ability to read and write that is below the level of literacy designated by the Board in its regulations.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 2517; A 2003, 1365; 2013, 3287)
NRS 209.401 Director may establish facilities for offenders to live in community. The Director may, with the approval of the Board, establish facilities which enable offenders to live in a community while obtaining regular employment, enrolling in academic courses, participating in vocational training programs, utilizing community resources in meeting their personal and family needs, and participating in whatever other approved programs may exist within the community.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 850)
NRS 209.417 Use of authorized telecommunications devices by offenders; regulations.
1. The warden or manager of an institution or facility shall:
(a) Determine which telecommunications devices, if any, are authorized for use by an offender in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to this section; and
(b) Ensure that no offender in the institution or facility, or in a vehicle of the Department, has access to a telecommunications device that is not an authorized telecommunications device.
2. The Director shall, with the approval of the Board, adopt regulations authorizing an offender to possess, have in his or her custody or control and use an authorized telecommunications device for the purpose of:
(a) Communicating with his or her child pursuant to NRS 209.42305;
(b) Conducting a visit or correspondence which is authorized pursuant to NRS 209.422 or 209.423;
(c) Appearing in court;
(d) Receiving medical care;
(e) Applying for or enrolling in a benefit from a governmental program;
(f) Performing legal research;
(g) Obtaining:
(1) Educational or vocational training that is approved by the Department; or
(2) A diploma, degree, certificate or similar credential, including, without limitation, a high school diploma, a general educational development certificate or an equivalent document, an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree;
(h) Taking a vocational assessment;
(i) Searching for or applying for employment;
(j) Performing essential job functions; and
(k) Communicating with an attorney who represents him or her in a criminal or civil action.
3. The Director may, with the approval of the Board, adopt regulations authorizing an offender to use an authorized telecommunications device for any purpose other than a purpose listed in subsection 2.
4. An offender may possess, have in his or her custody or control and use an authorized telecommunications device in accordance with any regulations adopted by the Director pursuant to subsection 2 or 3. Any communication made by an offender using an authorized telecommunications device pursuant to this section is subject to the limitations set forth in NRS 209.419.
5. The regulations adopted by the Director pursuant to subsections 2 and 3 must:
(a) Prescribe the criteria for eligibility for an offender to use an authorized telecommunications device;
(b) Prescribe requirements for determining whether a telecommunications device will be authorized for use by an offender;
(c) Set forth the circumstances under which an offender may use an authorized telecommunications device to access a network, including, without limitation, the Internet; and
(d) Prescribe standards for the use of an authorized telecommunications device by an offender.
6. As used in this section:
(a) “Authorized telecommunications device” means a device authorized for use by an offender in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to this section.
(b) “Benefits from a governmental program” means any benefit, program or assistance provided by a governmental entity pursuant to statute or regulation, including, without limitation, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
(c) “Medicaid” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 439B.120.
(d) “Medicare” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 439B.130.
(e) “Telecommunications device” means a device, or an apparatus associated with a device, that can enable an offender to communicate with a person outside of the institution or facility at which the offender is incarcerated. The term includes, without limitation, a telephone, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a transmitting radio or a computer or tablet that is connected to a computer network, is capable of connecting to a computer network through the use of wireless technology or is otherwise capable of communicating with a person or device outside of the institution or facility.
(Added to NRS by 1999, 2712; A 2007, 71; 2011, 2667; 2015, 3080; 2017, 3655, 3660; 2023, 1044)
NRS 209.419 Interception of offender’s communications by telecommunications devices: Notice; exceptions.
1. Communications made by an offender on any telephone or other telecommunications device in an institution or facility to any person outside the institution or facility may be intercepted if:
(a) The interception is made by an authorized employee of the Department; and
(b) Signs are posted near all telephones and other telecommunications devices in the institution or facility indicating that communications may be intercepted.
2. The Director shall provide notice or cause notice to be provided to both parties to a communication which is being intercepted pursuant to subsection 1, indicating that the communication is being intercepted. For the purposes of this section, a periodic sound which is heard by both parties during the communication shall be deemed notice to both parties that the communication is being intercepted.
3. The Director shall adopt regulations providing for an alternate method of communication for those communications by offenders which are confidential.
4. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 239.0115, a communication made by an offender is confidential if it is made to:
(a) A federal or state officer.
(b) A local governmental officer who is at some time responsible for the custody of the offender.
(c) An officer of any court.
(d) An attorney who has been admitted to practice law in any state or is employed by a recognized agency providing legal assistance.
(e) A reporter or editorial employee of any organization that reports general news including, but not limited to, any wire service or news service, newspaper, periodical, press association or radio or television station.
(f) The Director.
(g) Any other employee of the Department whom the Director may, by regulation, designate.
5. Reliance in good faith on a request or order from the Director or the Director’s authorized representative constitutes a complete defense to any action brought against any public utility intercepting or assisting in the interception of communications made by offenders pursuant to subsection 1.
6. As used in this section, “telecommunications device” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 209.417.
(Added to NRS by 1983, 682; A 1985, 253; 2007, 2078; 2011, 2667)
NRS 209.422 Visitation of offenders: Regulations. The Director shall adopt, with the approval of the Board, regulations establishing and governing a program, to be carried out within each facility and institution, for the visitation of offenders. The regulations must prescribe:
1. Requirements relating to the visitation of offenders, which must:
(a) Include, without limitation, procedures for the approval of visitors which must not impose requirements on the approval of a prospective visitor who has been convicted of a felony in this State or any other state that are not imposed on the approval of a prospective visitor who has not been convicted of a felony in this State or any other state, unless the warden or manager determines that extenuating circumstances exist;
(b) Allow offenders to receive visitors in person, regardless of whether visitation by means of electronic communication is made available; and
(c) Allow visitation by means of electronic communication, provided that such visitation is in addition to and not in lieu of in-person visitation.
2. Requirements relating to the cancellation of visitation, which must, without limitation, prescribe:
(a) The frequency with which an institution or facility may cancel visitation for all offenders in the institution or facility; and
(b) Requirements relating to the notice which must be provided to a visitor concerning a cancelled visit.
3. A procedure for a prospective visitor or visitor to appeal a decision of a warden or manager to deny or suspend the visiting privileges of the prospective visitor or visitor.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 670, 2850)
NRS 209.423 Visits and correspondence between offenders and others: Rights of offenders; warden or manager required to provide certain notice relating to denial of prospective visitor or cancellation of visit; regulations.
1. The Director shall, with approval of the Board, adopt regulations relating to visits and correspondence between offenders and others in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 209.422.
2. Wardens and managers may authorize visits and correspondence between offenders and appropriate friends, relatives and others in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection 1 and NRS 209.422.
3. If the warden or manager denies a prospective visitor, the warden or manager must provide written notice of the denial to the prospective visitor, which must include, without limitation:
(a) An explanation of the reason for the denial; and
(b) If applicable, any extenuating circumstances that necessitated the denial.
4. An offender shall have the right to receive visitors in person in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 209.422.
5. A warden or manager must provide notice of any cancelled visit in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 209.422.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 850; A 1983, 723; 2023, 670, 2851)
NRS 209.42303 Institution or facility required to provide offender with access to certain mail; procedure for exemption from requirement.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, an institution or facility shall provide an offender with the original, physical copy of any mail addressed to the offender that the offender is entitled and allowed to receive.
2. The Director may, with the approval of the Board, adopt regulations exempting the Department from the requirements prescribed by subsection 1 if the Department conducts a study and determines, using evidence-based methods, that complying with the requirements prescribed by subsection 1 presents a danger to the health and safety of the staff or offenders in institutions or facilities. Any regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection must be adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 233B of NRS.
3. Any regulation adopted pursuant to subsection 2 which is submitted to the Legislative Counsel pursuant to NRS 233B.067 must be accompanied by the study and any evidence or data that supports the determination of the Department that complying with the requirements prescribed by subsection 1 presents a danger to the health and safety of the staff or offenders in institutions or facilities.
4. As soon as reasonably practicable after adopting a regulation pursuant to subsection 2, the Director shall submit the study and any evidence or data that supports the determination of the Department that complying with the requirements prescribed by subsection 1 presents a danger to the health and safety of the staff or offenders in institutions or facilities to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary.
5. As used in this section, “original, physical copy” means a letter, card or other document received by the institution or facility from the United States Postal Service or other delivery service. The term does not include mail that is scanned, photocopied or otherwise duplicated by the institution or facility or any entity contracted by the institution or facility to provide such a service.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 1092)
NRS 209.42305 Prisoner contact with child of prisoner; use of equipment for videoconference.
1. Except as otherwise provided by law, by order of the court or by regulations of the Department, the Director shall allow a prisoner to maintain contact with a child of the prisoner who has been placed with someone other than a parent of the child if the child is willing to maintain such contact. Any such contact must be in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department.
2. The Director must allow a prisoner to videoconference with his or her child if such equipment is available.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 2666)
TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS WITH ALCOHOL OR OTHER SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
Programs of Treatment for Offenders with Substance Use or Co-Occurring Disorders
NRS 209.4231 Definitions. As used in NRS 209.4231 to 209.4244, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 209.42315 to 209.4234, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2652; A 2021, 208)
NRS 209.42315 “Co-occurring disorder” defined. “Co-occurring disorder” means the presence of at least one mental disorder and at least one substance use disorder, as defined in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
(Added to NRS by 2021, 207)
NRS 209.4232 “Division” defined. “Division” means the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2652; A 1999, 1881; 2001, 433)
NRS 209.4233 “Program of aftercare” defined. “Program of aftercare” means a program that is established pursuant to NRS 209.4238 to provide continuing treatment to those offenders who successfully complete treatment in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2652; A 2021, 208)
NRS 209.42335 “Program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders” defined. “Program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders” means a program:
1. Established pursuant to NRS 209.4236 to provide treatment to certain offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders; and
2. Which is evidence-based or based on best practices supported by research.
(Added to NRS by 2021, 207)
NRS 209.4234 “Substance use disorder” defined. “Substance use disorder” means a cluster of cognitive, behavioral and physiological symptoms indicating that a person continues using a substance despite significant substance-related problems.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2652; A 2021, 208)
NRS 209.4236 Director to establish programs of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders.
1. The Director shall, in conjunction with the Division and with the approval of the Board, establish one or more programs of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders to provide treatment to certain offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders. A program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders must include, but is not limited to, the requirements set forth in this section.
2. A program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders established pursuant to subsection 1 must provide an offender with:
(a) Intensive treatment for a substance use or co-occurring disorder;
(b) A clearly defined set of goals;
(c) A clearly defined structure of authority; and
(d) A highly structured schedule that includes, but is not limited to, the treatment listed in paragraph (a) and, if practicable, programs of employment, general education or vocational training.
3. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 209.4231 to 209.4244, inclusive, offenders who are assigned to a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders, to the extent practicable as determined by the Director or a person designated by the Director:
(a) May be housed in areas of a facility or institution that are segregated from other areas of the facility or institution in which offenders who are not assigned to the program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders are housed;
(b) May be taken outside an institution or facility, under appropriate precautions to prevent escape, to participate in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders; and
(c) Must participate in the program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders for a period of not less than 5 months and a program of aftercare for a period of not less than 3 months, as deemed appropriate for the level of care being offered.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2652; A 2001, 433; 2021, 209)
NRS 209.4237 Program to evaluate offenders for participation in program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders; assignment to participate in program of treatment.
1. The Director shall, in conjunction with the Division and with the approval of the Board, establish a program to evaluate an offender in the custody of the Department to determine whether the offender has a substance use disorder and whether the offender may benefit from participation in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders.
2. An evaluation of an offender must be conducted pursuant to subsection 1 if the offender is eligible to be assigned to a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders.
3. After an evaluation is conducted pursuant to subsection 1, the Director or a person designated by the Director shall determine whether the offender has a substance use disorder and whether the offender may benefit from participation in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders.
4. If a determination is made that the offender has a substance use disorder and that the offender may benefit from participation in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders, the Director or a person designated by the Director shall determine whether to assign the offender to participate in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders. In determining whether to assign an offender to participate in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders, the Director or a person designated by the Director shall:
(a) Consider the severity of the problem of the substance use or co-occurring disorder of the offender and the availability of space in each program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders; and
(b) Give preference, to the extent practicable, to those offenders who appear to be most capable of successfully participating in and completing treatment in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders.
5. To be eligible to be assigned to participate in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders, an offender must be within 2 years of the date on which the offender is reasonably expected to be released, as determined by the Director.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2653; A 1999, 1162; 2001, 434, 1265; 2021, 209)
NRS 209.4238 Programs of aftercare.
1. The Director shall, in conjunction with the Division and with the approval of the Board, establish one or more programs of aftercare to provide continuing treatment to those offenders who successfully complete treatment in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders.
2. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 209.4231 to 209.4244, inclusive:
(a) An offender who successfully completes treatment in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders must be assigned, to the extent practicable as determined by the Director or a person designated by the Director, to a program of aftercare upon completion of treatment in the program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders.
(b) An offender shall participate, to the extent practicable as determined by the Director or a person designated by the Director, in a program of aftercare for a period of not less than 3 months, as deemed appropriate for the level of care being offered.
(c) If an offender is assigned to a program of aftercare and, before or during participation in such a program, the offender is released on parole:
(1) The offender shall continue to participate in a program of aftercare, to the extent practicable as determined by the Director or a person designated by the Director and by the State Board of Parole Commissioners; and
(2) That participation, if any, must be made a condition of parole pursuant to NRS 213.1235.
(d) If an offender is assigned to a program of aftercare and, before or during participation in such a program, the offender is assigned to serve a term of residential confinement pursuant to NRS 209.392, the offender shall continue to participate in a program of aftercare to the extent practicable as determined by the Director or a person designated by the Director.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2653; A 2001, 434; 2021, 210)
NRS 209.4239 Removal from program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or program of aftercare; Director may establish conditions, sanctions and incentives regarding participation; immunity.
1. The Director or a person designated by the Director may remove an offender from a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or a program of aftercare, temporarily or permanently, for any lawful reason or purpose.
2. The Director may impose conditions on the participation of an offender in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or a program of aftercare and may establish sanctions and incentives relating to participation in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or a program of aftercare.
3. The provisions of NRS 209.4231 to 209.4244, inclusive, do not create a right on behalf of an offender to participate in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or a program of aftercare and do not establish a basis for any cause of action against the State or its officers or employees for denial of the ability to participate in or for removal from a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or a program of aftercare.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2654; A 2021, 211)
NRS 209.424 Offenders excluded from participation. An offender may not participate in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders if the offender:
1. Was sentenced to death or a term of imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole; or
2. Is or was eligible to participate in the program of treatment established pursuant to NRS 209.425, whether or not the offender actually participated in or completed that program of treatment.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2654; A 1999, 1163; 2021, 211)
NRS 209.4242 Director may contract with qualified persons. To carry out the provisions of NRS 209.4231 to 209.4244, inclusive, the Director may contract with persons or private entities that are qualified to evaluate offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or qualified to administer programs of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or programs of aftercare.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2654; A 2021, 211)
NRS 209.4244 Report by Director to Legislature. The Director shall provide the following information to the Interim Finance Committee on or before January 31 of each even-numbered year and to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and the Assembly Standing Committee on Ways and Means at the beginning of each regular session of the Legislature:
1. The number of offenders who are currently participating in programs of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders and programs of aftercare;
2. The number of offenders who have participated in programs of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders and programs of aftercare and the number of those offenders who subsequently have been arrested for other offenses; and
3. The number of offenders who have successfully completed treatment in programs of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders and programs of aftercare and the number of those offenders who subsequently have been arrested for other offenses.
Ê The Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History shall assist the Director in obtaining all data that is necessary to prepare the information required by subsections 2 and 3.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2654; A 2021, 211)
Program of Medication-Assisted Treatment
NRS 209.4247 Establishment of program; eligibility to participate in program; participants not subject to discipline on certain bases.
1. To the extent that money is available, the Director shall, with the approval of the Board, establish a program of treatment for offenders with a substance use disorder using medication-assisted treatment.
2. The program established pursuant to subsection 1 must:
(a) Provide each eligible offender who participates in the program with appropriate medication-assisted treatment for the period in which the offender is incarcerated; and
(b) Require that all decisions regarding the type, dosage or duration of any medication administered to an eligible offender as part of his or her medication-assisted treatment be made by a treating physician and the eligible offender.
3. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any offender who the Director has determined has a substance use disorder for which a medication-assisted treatment exists and who meets any reasonable conditions imposed by the Director pursuant to subsection 4 is eligible to participate in the program established pursuant to subsection 1 and must be offered the opportunity to participate. If an offender received medication-assisted treatment immediately preceding his or her incarceration, the offender is eligible to continue that medication-assisted treatment as a participant in the program. Participation in the program must be voluntary.
4. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Director may impose reasonable conditions for an offender to be eligible to participate in the program established pursuant to subsection 1 and to continue his or her participation in the program. The Director shall not deny an offender the ability to participate in the program or terminate the participation of an offender in the program on the basis that:
(a) The results of a screening test administered to the offender upon the commencement of his or her incarceration or upon the commencement of his or her participation in the program indicated the presence of a controlled substance; or
(b) The offender committed an infraction of the rules of the institution or facility before or during the participation of the offender in the program.
5. An offender who participates in the program established pursuant to subsection 1 is not subject to discipline on the basis that the results of a screening test administered to the offender during his or her participation in the program indicated the presence of a controlled substance.
6. As used in this section:
(a) “Medication-assisted treatment” means treatment for a substance use disorder using medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for that purpose.
(b) “Substance use disorder” means a cluster of cognitive, behavioral and psychological symptoms indicating that a person continues using a substance despite significant substance-related problems.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2901)
Program for Treatment of Certain Offenders Imprisoned for Driving Under Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Controlled Substance
NRS 209.425 Establishment of program; program to include rehabilitation, education and counseling; assignment of wages.
1. The Director shall, with the approval of the Board, establish a program for the treatment of a person with an alcohol or substance use disorder who is imprisoned for a violation of NRS 484C.110 or 484C.120 that is punishable as a felony pursuant to NRS 484C.400 or 484C.410 or a violation of NRS 484C.130, 484C.430, 488.420, 488.425 or 488.427. The program must include an initial period of intensive mental and physical rehabilitation in a facility of the Department, followed by regular sessions of education, counseling and any other necessary or desirable treatment.
2. The Director may, upon the request of the offender after the initial period of rehabilitation, allow the offender to earn wages under any other program established by the Department if the offender assigns to the Department any wages the offender earns under such a program. The Director may deduct from the wages of the offender an amount determined by the Director, with the approval of the Board, to:
(a) Offset the costs, as reflected in the budget of the Department, to maintain the offender in a facility or institution of the Department and in the program of treatment established pursuant to this section; and
(b) Meet any existing obligation of the offender for the support of his or her family or restitution to any victim of his or her crime.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 778; A 2005, 167, 616; 2007, 2811; 2013, 190)
NRS 209.427 Assignment of offender to program; withdrawal of offender from program.
1. If the results of an evaluation conducted pursuant to NRS 484C.300 or 488.430 indicate that an offender has an alcohol or other substance use disorder and that the offender can be treated successfully for his or her condition, the Director shall, except as otherwise provided in this section and unless a court has already assigned the offender to a program of treatment pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph (c) of subsection 1 of NRS 484C.400, assign the offender to the program of treatment established pursuant to NRS 209.425. Such an assignment must be, to the extent that the period reasonably can be predicted, for the year, or as much thereof as practicable, immediately preceding the date the offender is due to be released from prison, either on parole or at the expiration of the offender’s term.
2. Before assigning an offender to a program of treatment, the Director, in cooperation with the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety, shall determine, to the extent possible:
(a) The length of time remaining on the offender’s sentence, taking into consideration any credits earned by the offender; and
(b) The likelihood that the offender will complete the entire program of treatment.
3. The Director shall when assigning offenders to the program, to the extent possible, give preference to those offenders who appear to the Director capable of successfully completing the entire program.
4. The Director is not required to assign an offender to the program of treatment if the offender is not eligible for assignment to an institution or facility of minimum security pursuant to the provisions of NRS 209.481 and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
5. The Director may withdraw the offender from the program of treatment at any time if the Director determines that the offender:
(a) Is not responding satisfactorily to the program; or
(b) Has failed or refused to comply with any term or condition of the program.
6. As used in this section, “entire program” means both phases of the program established pursuant to NRS 209.425, for offenders who have not been released from prison, and NRS 209.429, for offenders who have been assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 778; A 1995, 957; 2001, 2586; 2013, 191; 2021, 2487)
NRS 209.429 Director to assign offender to serve term of residential confinement under certain circumstances; notice to victim; effect of violating terms or conditions of residential confinement; status; restitution.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 7 and 8, the Director may assign an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety to serve a term of residential confinement, pursuant to NRS 213.380, for not longer than the remainder of the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term, as applicable, of his or her sentence if the offender has:
(a) Demonstrated a willingness and ability to establish a position of employment in the community;
(b) Demonstrated a willingness and ability to enroll in a program for education or rehabilitation; or
(c) Demonstrated an ability to pay for all or part of the costs of his or her confinement and to meet any existing obligation for restitution to any victim of his or her crime.
2. Before the Director assigns an offender to serve a term of residential confinement pursuant to this section, the Director shall notify the Division of Parole and Probation. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 213.10915, if any victim of a crime committed by the offender has, pursuant to:
(a) Subsection 1 of NRS 209.521, requested to be notified by the Department of Corrections of the offender’s release or escape and has provided a current address, the Department of Corrections shall notify the victim that the Director intends to consider whether to assign the offender to serve a term of residential confinement pursuant to this section and advise the victim that the victim may submit documents for the consideration of the Director regarding such an assignment to the Division of Parole and Probation. If a current address has not been provided as required by subsection 1 of NRS 209.521, the Department of Corrections must not be held responsible if such notification is not received by the victim.
(b) Subsection 4 of NRS 213.131, requested to be notified of the consideration of a prisoner for parole and has provided a current address, the Division of Parole and Probation shall notify the victim if the Director has approved the application for the offender to serve a term of residential confinement pursuant to this section and advise the victim that the victim may submit documents for the consideration of the Division of Parole and Probation regarding such an assignment to the Division of Parole and Probation. If a current address has not been provided as required by subsection 4 of NRS 213.131, the Division of Parole and Probation must not be held responsible if such notification is not received by the victim.
Ê All personal information, including, without limitation, a current or former address, which pertains to a victim and which is received by the Department of Corrections or the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this subsection is confidential.
3. Before a person may be assigned to serve a term of residential confinement pursuant to this section, he or she must submit to the Division of Parole and Probation a signed document stating that:
(a) He or she will comply with the terms or conditions of the residential confinement; and
(b) If he or she fails to comply with the terms or conditions of the residential confinement and is taken into custody outside of this State, he or she waives all rights relating to extradition proceedings.
4. If an offender assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section escapes or violates any of the terms or conditions of his or her residential confinement:
(a) The Division of Parole and Probation may, pursuant to the procedure set forth in NRS 213.410, return the offender to the custody of the Department.
(b) The offender forfeits all or part of the credits earned by the offender to reduce his or her sentence pursuant to this chapter before the escape or violation, as determined by the Director. The Director may provide for a forfeiture of credits pursuant to this paragraph only after proof of the offense and notice to the offender and may restore credits forfeited for such reasons as the Director considers proper. The decision of the Director regarding forfeiture of credits is final.
5. The assignment of an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section shall be deemed:
(a) A continuation of the offender’s imprisonment and not a release on parole; and
(b) For the purposes of NRS 209.341, an assignment to a facility of the Department,
Ê except that the offender is not entitled to obtain any benefits or to participate in any programs provided to offenders in the custody of the Department.
6. A person does not have a right to be assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section, or to remain in that custody after such an assignment, and it is not intended that the provisions of this section or of NRS 213.371 to 213.410, inclusive, create any right or interest in liberty or property or establish a basis for any cause of action against the State, its political subdivisions, agencies, boards, commissions, departments, officers or employees.
7. The Director shall not assign an offender who is serving a sentence for committing a battery which constitutes domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.018 to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation to serve a term of residential confinement unless the Director makes a finding that the offender is not likely to pose a threat to the victim of the battery.
8. In determining whether to assign an offender to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation to serve a term of residential confinement, the Director may consider whether the offender has failed or refused to comply with any term or condition of the entire program of treatment or any term or condition of any other program related to the classification of the offender.
9. The Division of Parole and Probation may receive and distribute restitution paid by an offender assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation pursuant to this section.
10. As used in this section, “entire program” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 209.427.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 779; A 1993, 1520; 1995, 26, 958, 1253, 1334, 2388; 1997, 628, 1814; 2001, 2587; 2001 Special Session, 195; 2003, 289; 2007, 3174; 2013, 191, 222; 2019, 239)
DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR PROBATION VIOLATORS
NRS 209.4291 Establishment of program; duties of Department; condition of participation in program.
1. The Department of Corrections shall establish a diversion program within the correctional institutions or other facilities maintained by the Department.
2. The Department of Corrections shall ensure that facilities of adequate capacity for the diversion program are available in one or more suitable locations within the State. The Department shall not be required to provide housing for more than 50 probation violators at one time.
3. The Department of Corrections shall provide a healthful diet and appropriate, secure and sanitary housing and necessary emergency medical services for the probation violators who are placed in the diversion program, but the Department is not responsible for providing treatment to the probation violators remanded to the diversion program pursuant to NRS 209.4293.
4. As a condition of participation in the program, a probationer must release in writing the Department from liability and agree to abide by the applicable rules and regulations of the Department.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 2628; A 2015, 1995)
NRS 209.4293 Court authorized to remand probation violator to program for supervision and to receive treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder or for a mental illness; eligibility for treatment.
1. A district court may remand a probationer who is returned to the district court for a violation of his or her probation to the diversion program established pursuant to NRS 209.4291 for supervision, subject to such terms and conditions as established by the court. The court may allow the probationer who is remanded to the diversion program to:
(a) Leave the facilities of the Department of Corrections during the day for education, treatment or employment; or
(b) Reside outside the facilities of the Department.
2. The court may require the probationer to receive treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder or for a mental illness if the court has reason to believe that the probationer has an alcohol or other substance use disorder or is in need of treatment for a mental illness and the court finds that the probationer:
(a) Agrees to participate in the diversion program;
(b) Was not returned to the court for committing an act involving violence, the use of force, or the threat of violence or the use of force;
(c) Meets the requirements for assignment to an institution or facility of minimum security as set forth in NRS 209.481; and
(d) Is not rejected for participation in the diversion program by the Department of Corrections as posing a threat to the health, safety and welfare of:
(1) Other probationers remanded to the program; or
(2) Employees of the Department of Corrections and its agents.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 2628; A 2015, 1995)
NRS 209.4295 Payment of cost of supervision and treatment; performance of community service as contribution toward cost; issuance of judgment for unpaid costs.
1. A probation violator who is placed in the diversion program for supervision and, if appropriate, to receive treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder or for a mental illness shall pay the cost of his or her treatment and supervision to the extent of his or her financial resources.
2. A court shall not refuse to place a probation violator in the diversion program if the probation violator does not have the financial resources to pay any or all of the related costs.
3. The court may order a probation violator who is placed in the diversion program to perform a specified amount of community service upon release from the program to contribute toward the cost of his or her treatment and supervision. Any such community service must be performed for and under the supervising authority of a county, city, town or other political subdivision or agency of the State of Nevada or a charitable organization that renders service to the community or its residents.
4. The court may issue a judgment against a probation violator and in favor of the State for the costs of treatment and supervision which remain unpaid when the probationer is released from the diversion program but in no event may the amount of the judgment include any amount of debt which was extinguished by the successful completion of community service pursuant to subsection 3.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 2628; A 2015, 1995)
NRS 209.4297 Release of probationer from supervision; completion of remaining or additional period of probation; revocation of probation.
1. When the court determines that a probation violator who was remanded to the diversion program has satisfied the applicable terms and conditions established pursuant to NRS 209.4293, the court shall release the probationer from supervision and order the probationer to complete any remaining or additional period of probation as determined by the court.
2. If the court determines that a probation violator who was remanded to the diversion program is violating the rules of participation in the program, has not satisfied the terms or conditions of participation in the program or has not successfully completed the treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder or for a mental illness, the court may revoke probation.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 2629; A 2015, 1995)
NRS 209.4299 Submission of report concerning probationers participating in program. The Department of Corrections and the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety shall jointly submit a report at least twice annually to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the Interim Finance Committee. The report must include:
1. The number of probationers participating in the diversion program;
2. The reasons the probationers entered the program;
3. The number of probationers who satisfied the terms and conditions of their participation in the program; and
4. The status of the probationers who are in the program at the time the report is prepared.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 2629; A 2015, 1995)
CREDITS ON TERM OF IMPRISONMENT
NRS 209.432 Definitions. As used in NRS 209.432 to 209.453, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. “Offender” includes:
(a) A person who is convicted of a felony under the laws of this State and sentenced, ordered or otherwise assigned to serve a term of residential confinement.
(b) A person who is convicted of a felony under the laws of this State and assigned to the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety pursuant to NRS 209.4886 or 209.4888.
2. “Residential confinement” means the confinement of a person convicted of a felony to his or her place of residence under the terms and conditions established pursuant to specific statute. The term does not include any confinement ordered pursuant to NRS 176A.540, 176A.550, 176A.560, 176A.660 to 176A.690, inclusive, 213.15105, 213.15193 or 213.152 to 213.1528, inclusive.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 779, 1409; A 1993, 553, 554; 1997, 3182; 1999, 2880; 2001, 1163, 1937; 2001 Special Session, 157; 2003, 26, 27, 408, 2576; 2013, 37; 2019, 3010; 2021, 2433, 2602; 2023, 2311)
NRS 209.433 Credits for offender sentenced on or before June 30, 1969.
1. Every offender who was sentenced to prison on or before June 30, 1969, who has no serious infraction of the regulations of the Department, the terms and conditions of his or her residential confinement, or the laws of the State recorded against the offender, and who performs in a faithful, orderly and peaceable manner the duties assigned to the offender, must be allowed for his or her term a deduction of 2 months in each of the first 2 years, 4 months in each of the next 2 years, and 5 months in each of the remaining years of the term, and pro rata for any part of a year where the sentence is for more or less than a year.
2. In addition to the credits for good behavior provided for in subsection 1, the Board shall adopt regulations allowing credits for offenders whose diligence in labor or study merits the credits and for offenders who donate their blood for charitable purposes. The regulations must provide that an offender is entitled to the following credits for educational achievement:
(a) For earning a general educational development certificate or an equivalent document, 30 days.
(b) For earning a high school diploma, 60 days.
(c) For earning an associate degree, 90 days.
3. Each offender is entitled to the deductions allowed by this section if the offender has satisfied the conditions of subsection 1 or 2 as determined by the Director.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 851; A 1983, 723; 1985, 686; 1989, 385; 1991, 780; 1993, 134; 1999, 134; 2003, 1366; 2013, 3287)
NRS 209.443 Credits for offender sentenced after June 30, 1969, for crime committed before July 1, 1985.
1. Every offender who is sentenced to prison after June 30, 1969, for a crime committed before July 1, 1985, who has no serious infraction of the regulations of the Department, the terms and conditions of his or her residential confinement, or the laws of the State recorded against the offender, and who performs in a faithful, orderly and peaceable manner the duties assigned to the offender, must be allowed:
(a) For the period the offender is actually incarcerated under sentence; and
(b) For the period the offender is in residential confinement,
Ê a deduction of 2 months for each of the first 2 years, 4 months for each of the next 2 years and 5 months for each of the remaining years of the term, and pro rata for any part of a year where the actual term served is for more or less than a year. Credit must be recorded on a monthly basis as earned for actual time served.
2. The credits earned by an offender must be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable, and, except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, must apply to eligibility for parole.
3. In addition to the credits for good behavior provided for in subsection 1, the Board shall adopt regulations allowing credits for offenders whose diligence in labor or study merits such credits and for offenders who donate their blood for charitable purposes. The regulations must provide that an offender is entitled to the following credits for educational achievement:
(a) For earning a general educational development certificate or an equivalent document, 30 days.
(b) For earning a high school diploma, 60 days.
(c) For earning an associate degree, 90 days.
4. Each offender is entitled to the deductions allowed by this section if the offender has satisfied the conditions of subsection 1 or 3 as determined by the Director.
5. Credits earned pursuant to this section do not apply to eligibility for parole if a statute specifies a minimum sentence which must be served before a person becomes eligible for parole.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 851; A 1983, 360, 723; 1985, 1925; 1989, 386; 1991, 780; 1993, 135; 1999, 135; 2003, 1366; 2013, 223, 3288)
NRS 209.446 Credits for offender sentenced for crime committed on or after July 1, 1985, but before July 17, 1997.
1. Every offender who is sentenced to prison for a crime committed on or after July 1, 1985, but before July 17, 1997, who has no serious infraction of the regulations of the Department, the terms and conditions of his or her residential confinement or the laws of the State recorded against the offender, and who performs in a faithful, orderly and peaceable manner the duties assigned to the offender, must be allowed:
(a) For the period the offender is actually incarcerated under sentence;
(b) For the period the offender is in residential confinement; and
(c) For the period the offender is in the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety pursuant to NRS 209.4886 or 209.4888,
Ê a deduction of 10 days from the offender’s sentence for each month the offender serves.
2. In addition to the credit provided for in subsection 1, the Director may allow not more than 10 days of credit each month for an offender whose diligence in labor and study merits such credits. In addition to the credits allowed pursuant to this subsection, an offender is entitled to the following credits for educational achievement:
(a) For earning a general educational development certificate or an equivalent document, 30 days.
(b) For earning a high school diploma, 60 days.
(c) For earning an associate degree, 90 days.
3. The Director may allow not more than 10 days of credit each month for an offender who participates in a diligent and responsible manner in a center for the purpose of making restitution, program for reentry of offenders and parolees into the community, conservation camp, program of work release or another program conducted outside of the prison. An offender who earns credit pursuant to this subsection is entitled to the entire 20 days of credit each month which is authorized in subsections 1 and 2.
4. The Director may allow not more than 90 days of credit each year for an offender who engages in exceptional meritorious service.
5. The Board shall adopt regulations governing the award, forfeiture and restoration of credits pursuant to this section.
6. Credits earned pursuant to this section:
(a) Must be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable; and
(b) Apply to eligibility for parole unless the offender was sentenced pursuant to a statute which specifies a minimum sentence which must be served before a person becomes eligible for parole.
(Added to NRS by 1985, 1924; A 1987, 510; 1989, 387; 1991, 217, 782; 1993, 136; 1997, 3182; 1999, 2880; 2001, 1163, 1937; 2001 Special Session, 157; 2003, 26, 28, 1367, 2577; 2007, 3175; 2013, 224, 3288)
NRS 209.4465 Credits for offender sentenced for crime committed on or after July 17, 1997. [Effective through June 30, 2025.]
1. An offender who is sentenced to prison for a crime committed on or after July 17, 1997, who has no serious infraction of the regulations of the Department, the terms and conditions of his or her residential confinement or the laws of the State recorded against the offender, and who performs in a faithful, orderly and peaceable manner the duties assigned to the offender, must be allowed:
(a) For the period the offender is actually incarcerated pursuant to his or her sentence;
(b) For the period the offender is in residential confinement; and
(c) For the period the offender is in the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety pursuant to NRS 209.4886 or 209.4888,
Ê a deduction of 20 days from his or her sentence for each month the offender serves.
2. In addition to the credits allowed pursuant to subsection 1, the Director may allow not more than 10 days of credit each month for an offender whose diligence in labor and study merits such credits. In addition to the credits allowed pursuant to this subsection, an offender is entitled to the following credits for educational achievement:
(a) For earning a general educational development certificate or an equivalent document, 60 days.
(b) For earning a high school diploma, 90 days.
(c) For earning his or her first associate degree, 120 days.
3. The Director may, in his or her discretion, authorize an offender to receive a maximum of 90 days of credit for each additional degree of higher education earned by the offender.
4. The Director may allow not more than 10 days of credit each month for an offender who participates in a diligent and responsible manner in a center for the purpose of making restitution, program for reentry of offenders and parolees into the community, conservation camp, program of work release or another program conducted outside of the prison. An offender who earns credit pursuant to this subsection is eligible to earn the entire 30 days of credit each month that is allowed pursuant to subsections 1 and 2.
5. The Director may allow not more than 90 days of credit each year for an offender who engages in exceptional meritorious service.
6. The Board shall adopt regulations governing the award, forfeiture and restoration of credits pursuant to this section.
7. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 8 and 9, credits earned pursuant to this section:
(a) Must be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable; and
(b) Apply to eligibility for parole unless the offender was sentenced pursuant to a statute which specifies a minimum sentence that must be served before a person becomes eligible for parole.
8. Credits earned pursuant to this section by an offender who has not been convicted of:
(a) Any crime that is punishable as a felony involving the use or threatened use of force or violence against the victim;
(b) A sexual offense that is punishable as a felony;
(c) A violation of NRS 484C.110, 484C.120, 484C.130 or 484C.430 that is punishable as a felony;
(d) A category A or B felony; or
(e) A violation of NRS 574.100 that is punishable pursuant to subsection 6 of that section,
Ê apply to eligibility for parole and, except as otherwise provided in subsection 9, must be deducted from the minimum term or the minimum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable, until the offender becomes eligible for parole and must be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable.
9. Credits deducted pursuant to subsection 8 may reduce the minimum term or the minimum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable, by not more than 58 percent for an offender who:
(a) Is serving a sentence for an offense committed on or after July 1, 2014; or
(b) On or after July 1, 2014, makes an irrevocable election to have his or her consecutive sentences aggregated pursuant to NRS 213.1212.
10. In addition to the credits allowed pursuant to this section, if the Governor determines, by executive order, that it is necessary, the Governor may authorize the deduction of not more than 5 days from a sentence for each month an offender serves. This subsection must be uniformly applied to all offenders under a sentence at the time the Governor makes such a determination.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 3175; A 1999, 2881; 2001, 1164, 1937; 2001 Special Session, 157; 2003, 26, 28, 1367, 2577; 2007, 3176; 2009, 1887; 2013, 225, 3289; 2017, 3313; 2023, 707)
NRS 209.4465 Credits for offender sentenced for crime committed on or after July 17, 1997, but before July 1, 2025. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
1. Unless an offender has elected to be subject to the provisions of NRS 209.4467, an offender who is sentenced to prison for a crime committed on or after July 17, 1997, but before July 1, 2025, who has no serious infraction of the regulations of the Department, the terms and conditions of his or her residential confinement or the laws of the State recorded against the offender, and who performs in a faithful, orderly and peaceable manner the duties assigned to the offender, must be allowed:
(a) For the period the offender is actually incarcerated pursuant to his or her sentence;
(b) For the period the offender is in residential confinement; and
(c) For the period the offender is in the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety pursuant to NRS 209.4886 or 209.4888,
Ê a deduction of 20 days from his or her sentence for each month the offender serves.
2. In addition to the credits allowed pursuant to subsection 1, the Director may allow not more than 10 days of credit each month for an offender whose diligence in labor and study merits such credits. In addition to the credits allowed pursuant to this subsection, an offender is entitled to the following credits for educational achievement:
(a) For earning a general educational development certificate or an equivalent document, 60 days.
(b) For earning a high school diploma, 90 days.
(c) For earning his or her first associate degree, 120 days.
3. The Director may, in his or her discretion, authorize an offender to receive a maximum of 90 days of credit for each additional degree of higher education earned by the offender.
4. The Director may allow not more than 10 days of credit each month for an offender who participates in a diligent and responsible manner in a center for the purpose of making restitution, program for reentry of offenders and parolees into the community, conservation camp, program of work release or another program conducted outside of the prison. An offender who earns credit pursuant to this subsection is eligible to earn the entire 30 days of credit each month that is allowed pursuant to subsections 1 and 2.
5. The Director may allow not more than 90 days of credit each year for an offender who engages in exceptional meritorious service.
6. The Board shall adopt regulations governing the award, forfeiture and restoration of credits pursuant to this section.
7. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 8 and 9, credits earned pursuant to this section:
(a) Must be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable; and
(b) Apply to eligibility for parole unless the offender was sentenced pursuant to a statute which specifies a minimum sentence that must be served before a person becomes eligible for parole.
8. Credits earned pursuant to this section by an offender who has not been convicted of:
(a) Any crime that is punishable as a felony involving the use or threatened use of force or violence against the victim;
(b) A sexual offense that is punishable as a felony;
(c) A violation of NRS 484C.110, 484C.120, 484C.130 or 484C.430 that is punishable as a felony;
(d) A category A or B felony; or
(e) A violation of NRS 574.100 that is punishable pursuant to subsection 6 of that section,
Ê apply to eligibility for parole and, except as otherwise provided in subsection 9, must be deducted from the minimum term or the minimum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable, until the offender becomes eligible for parole and must be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable.
9. Credits deducted pursuant to subsection 8 may reduce the minimum term or the minimum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable, by not more than 58 percent for an offender who:
(a) Is serving a sentence for an offense committed on or after July 1, 2014; or
(b) On or after July 1, 2014, makes an irrevocable election to have his or her consecutive sentences aggregated pursuant to NRS 213.1212.
10. In addition to the credits allowed pursuant to this section, if the Governor determines, by executive order, that it is necessary, the Governor may authorize the deduction of not more than 5 days from a sentence for each month an offender serves. This subsection must be uniformly applied to all offenders under a sentence at the time the Governor makes such a determination.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 3175; A 1999, 2881; 2001, 1164, 1937; 2001 Special Session, 157; 2003, 26, 28, 1367, 2577; 2007, 3176; 2009, 1887; 2013, 225, 3289; 2017, 3313; 2023, 707, 2311, effective July 1, 2025)
NRS 209.4467 Credits for complying with programming and placement identified in risk and needs assessment; duties of Director relating to provision of credit; regulations. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
1. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an offender who complies with the programming and placement identified in the risk and needs assessment administered pursuant to NRS 209.341, as determined by the Director, must be allowed credit against the minimum term or minimum aggregate term, as applicable, of his or her sentence for good behavior in an amount of days that is equivalent to 35 percent of the minimum term or minimum aggregate term, as applicable, of the sentence of the offender. Any credit allowed pursuant to this subsection may reduce the minimum term or the minimum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable, by not more than 58 percent. Credit must be allowed for the period the offender is actually incarcerated pursuant to his or her sentence and applies to eligibility for parole, unless the offender was sentenced pursuant to a specific statute which specifies that a minimum sentence must be served before the offender becomes eligible for parole. Any forfeiture of credit pursuant to a specific statute must be applied after the credit allowed in this subsection. This subsection does not apply to an offender who has been convicted of:
(a) Any crime that is punishable as a felony involving the use or threatened use of force or violence against the victim.
(b) A sexual offense that is punishable as a felony.
(c) A violation of NRS 484C.110, 484C.120, 484C.130 or 484C.430 that is punishable as a felony.
(d) A category A or B felony.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an offender who complies with the programming and placement identified in the risk and needs assessment administered pursuant to NRS 209.341, as determined by the Director, must be allowed credit against the maximum term or maximum aggregate term, as applicable, of his or her sentence for good behavior in an amount of days that is equivalent to 35 percent of the maximum term or maximum aggregate term, as applicable, of his or her sentence. Any forfeiture of credit pursuant to a specific statute must be applied after the credit allowed in this subsection. Credit allowed pursuant to this subsection:
(a) Must be allowed only for any period the offender is:
(1) Actually incarcerated pursuant to his or her sentence;
(2) In residential confinement; or
(3) In the custody of the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety pursuant to NRS 209.4886 or 209.4888.
(b) Is in addition to any credit allowed to reduce the sentence of the offender that is authorized pursuant to a specific statute.
3. An offender who is sentenced to prison for a crime committed before July 1, 2025, may irrevocably elect to be subject to the provisions of this section. The election by an offender to be subject to the provisions of this section must not:
(a) Extend the sentence of the offender; or
(b) Otherwise reduce retroactively the amount of credit allowed to reduce the sentence of the offender under the laws of this State as those laws existed before July 1, 2025, if doing so would constitute a violation under the United States Constitution or the Nevada Constitution.
4. The Director shall:
(a) Provide each offender in the custody of the Department with a list that includes:
(1) The programs identified in the risk and needs assessment administered to the offender pursuant to NRS 209.341, as determined by the Director;
(2) The programs available at the institution or facility to which the offender has been assigned; and
(3) Which of the programs described in subparagraph (1) are available at the institution or facility to which the offender has been assigned; and
(b) At the time the Department compiles and provides to the State Board of Parole Commissioners data that will assist the Board in determining whether parole should be granted to the offender pursuant to NRS 213.131, submit a report to the Board that includes:
(1) The list of programs provided to the offender pursuant to paragraph (a); and
(2) The programs provided to the offender pursuant to paragraph (a) that the offender successfully completed.
5. The Board shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2310, effective July 1, 2025)
NRS 209.447 Credits for offender sentenced after June 30, 1991, for crime committed before July 1, 1985, and released on parole.
1. An offender who is sentenced after June 30, 1991, for a crime committed before July 1, 1985, and who is released on parole for a term less than life must, if the offender has no serious infraction of the terms and conditions of his or her parole or the laws of this state recorded against the offender, be allowed for the period the offender is actually on parole a deduction of 2 months for each of the first 2 years, 4 months for each of the next 2 years and 5 months for each of the remaining years of the term, and pro rata for any part of a year where the actual term served is for more or less than a year. Credit must be recorded on a monthly basis as earned.
2. An offender who is sentenced after June 30, 1991, for a crime committed on or after July 1, 1985, and who is released on parole for a term less than life must, if the offender has no serious infraction of the terms and conditions of his or her parole or the laws of this state recorded against the offender, be allowed for the period the offender is actually on parole a deduction of 10 days from the offender’s sentence for each month the offender serves.
3. An offender is entitled to the deductions authorized by this section only if the offender satisfies the conditions of subsection 1 or 2, as determined by the Director. The Chief Parole and Probation Officer or other person responsible for the supervision of an offender shall report to the Director the failure of an offender to satisfy those conditions.
4. Credits earned pursuant to this section must, in addition to any credits earned pursuant to NRS 209.443, 209.446, 209.4465, 209.4475, 209.448 and 209.449, be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable.
5. The Director shall maintain records of the credits to which each offender is entitled pursuant to this section.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 1409; A 1993, 557; 1997, 3183; 1999, 136; 2003, 408; 2013, 226)
NRS 209.4475 Credits for offender on parole as of January 1, 2004, or released on parole on or after January 1, 2004. [Effective through June 30, 2025.]
1. In addition to any credits earned pursuant to NRS 209.447, an offender who is on parole as of January 1, 2004, or who is released on parole on or after January 1, 2004, for a term less than life must be allowed for the period the offender is actually on parole a deduction of 20 days from the offender’s sentence for each month the offender serves if:
(a) The offender is current with any fee to defray the costs of his or her supervision charged by the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety pursuant to NRS 213.1076; and
(b) The offender is current with any payment of restitution required by the State Board of Parole Commissioners pursuant to NRS 213.126.
2. An offender shall be deemed to be current with any fee and payment of restitution described in subsection 1 for any given month if, during that month, the offender makes at least the minimum monthly payment established by:
(a) The Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety, if any; and
(b) The State Board of Parole Commissioners, if any.
3. In addition to any credits earned pursuant to subsection 1 and NRS 209.447, the Director may allow not more than 10 days of credit each month for an offender:
(a) Who is on parole as of January 1, 2004, or who is released on parole on or after January 1, 2004, for a term less than life; and
(b) Whose diligence in labor or study merits such credits.
4. An offender is entitled to the deductions authorized by this section only if the offender satisfies the conditions of subsection 1 or 3, as determined by the Director. The Chief Parole and Probation Officer or other person responsible for the supervision of an offender shall report to the Director the failure of an offender to satisfy those conditions.
5. Credits earned pursuant to this section must, in addition to any credits earned pursuant to NRS 209.443, 209.446, 209.4465, 209.447, 209.448 and 209.449, be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable.
6. The Director shall maintain records of the credits to which each offender is entitled pursuant to this section.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 407; A 2007, 3177; 2013, 227; 2017, 3315)
NRS 209.4475 Credits for offender on parole as of January 1, 2004, or released on parole on or after January 1, 2004. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
1. In addition to any credits earned pursuant to NRS 209.4467 and 209.447, an offender who is on parole as of January 1, 2004, or who is released on parole on or after January 1, 2004, for a term less than life must be allowed for the period the offender is actually on parole a deduction of 20 days from the offender’s sentence for each month the offender serves if:
(a) The offender is current with any fee to defray the costs of his or her supervision charged by the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety pursuant to NRS 213.1076; and
(b) The offender is current with any payment of restitution required by the State Board of Parole Commissioners pursuant to NRS 213.126.
2. An offender shall be deemed to be current with any fee and payment of restitution described in subsection 1 for any given month if, during that month, the offender makes at least the minimum monthly payment established by:
(a) The Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety, if any; and
(b) The State Board of Parole Commissioners, if any.
3. In addition to any credits earned pursuant to subsection 1 and NRS 209.4467 and 209.447, the Director may allow not more than 10 days of credit each month for an offender:
(a) Who is on parole as of January 1, 2004, or who is released on parole on or after January 1, 2004, for a term less than life; and
(b) Whose diligence in labor or study merits such credits.
4. An offender is entitled to the deductions authorized by this section only if the offender satisfies the conditions of subsection 1 or 3, as determined by the Director. The Chief Parole and Probation Officer or other person responsible for the supervision of an offender shall report to the Director the failure of an offender to satisfy those conditions.
5. Credits earned pursuant to this section must, in addition to any credits earned pursuant to NRS 209.443 to 209.447, inclusive, 209.448 and 209.449, be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable.
6. The Director shall maintain records of the credits to which each offender is entitled pursuant to this section.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 407; A 2007, 3177; 2013, 227; 2017, 3315; 2023, 2313, effective July 1, 2025)
NRS 209.4477 Credits for offender incarcerated during state of emergency due to communicable or infectious disease. [Effective through June 30, 2025.]
1. An offender who is actually incarcerated in an institution or facility of the Department pursuant to his or her sentence during a period in which a state of emergency due to a communicable or infectious disease has been declared by the Governor and remains in effect must be allowed, in addition to the credits provided pursuant to NRS 209.433, 209.443, 209.446 or 209.4465, a deduction of 5 days from his or her sentence for each month the offender serves during the state of emergency. An offender shall not be allowed more than 60 days of credit pursuant to this section.
2. Credits earned pursuant to this section:
(a) Apply to eligibility for parole and must be deducted from the minimum term or the minimum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable, until the offender becomes eligible for parole, unless the offender was sentenced pursuant to a statute which specifies a minimum sentence which must be served before a person becomes eligible for parole; and
(b) Must be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable.
3. Not later than 60 days after a state of emergency due to a communicable or infectious disease has been declared by the Governor, the Director shall submit a report containing a list of the offenders who have received credits pursuant to this section to the Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court, the State Public Defender, the Attorney General, the Executive Director of the Department of Sentencing Policy and the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the Legislature or, if the Legislature is not in session, to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary.
4. As used in this section:
(a) “Communicable disease” means an infectious disease that can be transmitted from person to person, animal to person or insect to person.
(b) “Infectious disease” means a disease caused by a living organism or other pathogen, including a fungus, bacillus, parasite, protozoan or virus. An infectious disease may or may not be transmissible from person to person, animal to person or insect to person.
(Added to NRS by 2021, 2602)
NRS 209.4477 Credits for offender incarcerated during state of emergency due to communicable or infectious disease. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
1. Unless an offender has elected to be subject to the provisions of NRS 209.4467, an offender who is serving a sentence for a crime committed before July 1, 2025, and who is actually incarcerated in an institution or facility of the Department pursuant to his or her sentence during a period in which a state of emergency due to a communicable or infectious disease has been declared by the Governor and remains in effect must be allowed, in addition to the credits provided pursuant to NRS 209.433, 209.443, 209.446 or 209.4465, a deduction of 5 days from his or her sentence for each month the offender serves during the state of emergency. An offender shall not be allowed more than 60 days of credit pursuant to this section.
2. Credits earned pursuant to this section:
(a) Apply to eligibility for parole and must be deducted from the minimum term or the minimum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable, until the offender becomes eligible for parole, unless the offender was sentenced pursuant to a statute which specifies a minimum sentence which must be served before a person becomes eligible for parole; and
(b) Must be deducted from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term imposed by the sentence, as applicable.
3. Not later than 60 days after a state of emergency due to a communicable or infectious disease has been declared by the Governor, the Director shall submit a report containing a list of the offenders who have received credits pursuant to this section to the Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court, the State Public Defender, the Attorney General, the Executive Director of the Department of Sentencing Policy and the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the Legislature or, if the Legislature is not in session, to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary.
4. As used in this section:
(a) “Communicable disease” means an infectious disease that can be transmitted from person to person, animal to person or insect to person.
(b) “Infectious disease” means a disease caused by a living organism or other pathogen, including a fungus, bacillus, parasite, protozoan or virus. An infectious disease may or may not be transmissible from person to person, animal to person or insect to person.
(Added to NRS by 2021, 2602; A 2023, 2314, effective July 1, 2025)
NRS 209.448 Credits for completion of program of treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder. [Effective through June 30, 2025.]
1. An offender who has no serious infraction of the regulations of the Department or the laws of the State recorded against the offender must be allowed, in addition to the credits provided pursuant to NRS 209.433, 209.443, 209.446 or 209.4465, a deduction of not more than 60 days from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term of the offender’s sentence, as applicable, for the successful completion of a program of treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder which is conducted jointly by the Department and a person who is licensed as a clinical alcohol and drug counselor, licensed or certified as an alcohol and drug counselor or certified as an alcohol and drug counselor intern or a clinical alcohol and drug counselor intern, pursuant to chapter 641C of NRS.
2. The provisions of this section apply to any offender who is sentenced on or after October 1, 1991.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 1404; A 1993, 1520; 1995, 1254; 1997, 3184; 1999, 1881, 3063; 2001, 219; 2007, 3083, 3178; 2013, 227)
NRS 209.448 Credits for completion of program of treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
1. An offender who has no serious infraction of the regulations of the Department or the laws of the State recorded against the offender must be allowed, in addition to the credits provided pursuant to NRS 209.433, 209.443, 209.446 or 209.4465, a deduction of not more than 60 days from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term of the offender’s sentence, as applicable, for the successful completion of a program of treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder which is conducted jointly by the Department and a person who is licensed as a clinical alcohol and drug counselor, licensed or certified as an alcohol and drug counselor or certified as an alcohol and drug counselor intern or a clinical alcohol and drug counselor intern, pursuant to chapter 641C of NRS.
2. Unless an offender has elected to be subject to the provisions of NRS 209.4467, the provisions of this section apply to any offender who is sentenced on or after October 1, 1991, for a crime committed before July 1, 2025.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 1404; A 1993, 1520; 1995, 1254; 1997, 3184; 1999, 1881, 3063; 2001, 219; 2007, 3083, 3178; 2013, 227; 2023, 2314, effective July 1, 2025)
NRS 209.449 Credits for completion of vocational education and training or other program. [Effective through June 30, 2025.]
1. An offender who has no serious infraction of the regulations of the Department, the terms and conditions of his or her residential confinement or the laws of the State recorded against the offender must be allowed, in addition to the credits provided pursuant to NRS 209.433, 209.443, 209.446 or 209.4465, a deduction of 60 days from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term of the offender’s sentence, as applicable, for the successful completion of:
(a) A program of vocational education and training; or
(b) Any other program approved by the Director.
2. If the offender completes such a program with meritorious or exceptional achievement, the Director may allow not more than 60 days of credit in addition to the 60 days allowed for completion of the program.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 1883; A 1991, 782; 1993, 137; 1995, 1254; 1997, 3184; 2003, 1368; 2007, 3178; 2013, 227)
NRS 209.449 Credits for completion of vocational education and training or other program. [Effective July 1, 2025.]
1. Unless an offender has elected to be subject to the provisions of NRS 209.4467, an offender who is serving a sentence for a crime committed before July 1, 2025, and who has no serious infraction of the regulations of the Department, the terms and conditions of his or her residential confinement or the laws of the State recorded against the offender must be allowed, in addition to the credits provided pursuant to NRS 209.433, 209.443, 209.446 or 209.4465, a deduction of 60 days from the maximum term or the maximum aggregate term of the offender’s sentence, as applicable, for the successful completion of:
(a) A program of vocational education and training; or
(b) Any other program approved by the Director.
2. If the offender completes such a program with meritorious or exceptional achievement, the Director may allow not more than 60 days of credit in addition to the 60 days allowed for completion of the program.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 1883; A 1991, 782; 1993, 137; 1995, 1254; 1997, 3184; 2003, 1368; 2007, 3178; 2013, 227; 2023, 2315, effective July 1, 2025)
NRS 209.4495 Limitation on amount of credit offender may earn.
1. Notwithstanding any provision of NRS 209.432 to 209.453, inclusive, which entitles an offender to receive credit or which authorizes the Director to allow credit for an offender, an offender may not earn more than the amount of credit required to expire his or her sentence.
2. Nothing in this section shall be construed to reduce retroactively the amount of credit earned by an offender if doing so would constitute a violation under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Nevada.
(Added to NRS by 2013, 37; A 2023, 2315)
NRS 209.451 Forfeiture and restoration of credits.
1. If an offender:
(a) Commits an assault upon his or her keeper or a foreman, officer, offender or other person, or otherwise endangers life;
(b) Is guilty of a flagrant disregard of the regulations of the Department or of the terms and conditions of his or her residential confinement;
(c) Commits a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony; or
(d) In a civil action, in state or federal court, is found by the court to have presented a pleading, written motion or other document in writing to the court which:
(1) Contains a claim or defense that is included for an improper purpose, including, without limitation, for the purpose of harassing the offender’s opponent, causing unnecessary delay in the litigation or increasing the cost of the litigation;
(2) Contains a claim, defense or other argument which is not warranted by existing law or by a reasonable argument for a change in existing law or a change in the interpretation of existing law; or
(3) Contains allegations or information presented as fact for which evidentiary support is not available or is not likely to be discovered after further investigation,
Ê the offender forfeits all deductions of time earned by the offender before the commission of that offense or act, or forfeits such part of those deductions as the Director considers just.
2. If an offender commits a serious violation of the regulations of the Department or of the terms and conditions of his or her residential confinement or if an offender violates subsection 4 of NRS 209.367, the offender may forfeit all or part of such deductions, in the discretion of the Director.
3. A forfeiture may be made only by the Director after proof of the commission of an act prohibited pursuant to this section and notice to the offender in the manner prescribed in the regulations of the Department. The decision of the Director regarding a forfeiture is final.
4. The Director may restore credits forfeited for such reasons as the Director considers proper.
5. As used in this section, “civil action” includes a petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed in state or federal court.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 852; A 1985, 687, 1926; 1991, 1410; 1995, 210; 1997, 1642; 1999, 146)
NRS 209.453 Expedited resolution of challenge to computation of time served. The Department shall adopt regulations to establish procedures for the expedited resolution of a challenge to the computation of time that an offender has served which is brought by the offender within 180 days immediately preceding the expiration date of his or her term of imprisonment as calculated by the Department.
(Added to NRS by 2019, 3010)
EMPLOYMENT OF OFFENDERS
NRS 209.457 Program for operating conservation camps.
1. The State Forester Firewarden shall, in cooperation with the Department, establish and carry out a program for operating conservation camps in this State.
2. The program established pursuant to subsection 1:
(a) May use offenders who are committed to the custody of the Department and eligible for assignment to an institution or facility of minimum security pursuant to the provisions of NRS 209.481 and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto to perform work relating to firefighting, forestry conservation programs, public safety and other work projects, including, without limitation, day labor projects, emergency response and work projects that promote conservation of natural resources and human resources; and
(b) Must include the training necessary to prepare the staff of a conservation camp and the offenders assigned to the conservation camp to assist in firefighting and other work projects in a safe manner.
3. The State Forester Firewarden, with the approval of the Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, may enter into:
(a) Contracts with any state or federal public agency, municipal corporation or any person for the performance of conservation projects, including, without limitation, conservation projects relating to forest fire protection and control, watershed management, soil conservation, vegetation management, range management and the beautification of highways; and
(b) Cooperative agreements with federal agencies, counties, county fire protection districts, cities and private landowners to carry out a program for operating conservation camps as set forth in this section.
(Added to NRS by 2009, 4)
NRS 209.459 Employment of offenders: Report on potential impacts of new program; program for employment in services and manufacturing; submission of contract related to new program for approval.
1. The Director shall:
(a) Submit a report to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary identifying the potential impacts of any new program for the employment of offenders on private employers and labor in this State. In preparing such a report, the Director shall include any information required pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 7 of NRS 209.461 and must perform due diligence in obtaining such information from:
(1) The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation;
(2) The Department of Business and Industry;
(3) The Office of Economic Development; and
(4) Representatives of organized labor in this State.
(b) Seek and present the recommendations of the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary to the Board of State Prison Commissioners and, with the approval of the Board of State Prison Commissioners, establish and carry out a program for the employment of offenders in services and manufacturing conducted by institutions of the Department or by private employers.
2. Before any new program for the employment of offenders is established pursuant to this section, the Director shall submit any contract related to the employment of such offenders to the State Board of Examiners for approval.
(Added to NRS by 1979, 1381; A 1987, 1019; 2001, 2392; 2013, 1802; 2021, 2519)
NRS 209.461 Duties and powers of Director; requirements for programs for employment of offenders; prohibited types of vocational training, employment and businesses; determination of profit of program of employment; no right of offender to employment or minimum wage.
1. The Director shall:
(a) To the greatest extent possible, approximate the normal conditions of training and employment in the community.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, to the extent practicable, require each offender, except those whose behavior is found by the Director to preclude participation, to spend 40 hours each week in vocational training or employment, unless excused for a medical reason or to attend educational classes in accordance with NRS 209.396. The Director shall require as a condition of employment that an offender sign an authorization for the deductions from his or her wages made pursuant to NRS 209.463. Authorization to make the deductions pursuant to NRS 209.463 is implied from the employment of an offender and a signed authorization from the offender is not required for the Director to make the deductions pursuant to NRS 209.463.
(c) Use the earnings from services and manufacturing conducted by the institutions and the money paid by private employers who employ the offenders to offset the costs of operating the prison system and to provide wages for the offenders being trained or employed.
(d) Provide equipment, space and management for services and manufacturing by offenders.
(e) Employ craftsmen and other personnel to supervise and instruct offenders.
(f) Contract with governmental agencies and private employers for the employment of offenders, including their employment on public works projects under contracts with the State and with local governments.
(g) Contract for the use of offenders’ services and for the sale of goods manufactured by offenders.
(h) On or before January 1, 2014, and every 5 years thereafter, submit a report to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for distribution to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary. The report must include, without limitation, an analysis of existing contracts with private employers for the employment of offenders and the potential impact of those contracts on private industry in this State.
(i) Submit a report to each meeting of the Interim Finance Committee identifying any accounts receivable related to a program for the employment of offenders.
2. Every program for the employment of offenders established by the Director must:
(a) Employ the maximum number of offenders possible;
(b) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 209.192, provide for the use of money produced by the program to reduce the cost of maintaining the offenders in the institutions;
(c) Have an insignificant effect on the number of jobs available to the residents of this State; and
(d) Provide occupational training for offenders.
3. An offender may not engage in vocational training, employment or a business that requires or permits the offender to:
(a) Telemarket or conduct opinion polls by telephone; or
(b) Acquire, review, use or have control over or access to personal information concerning any person who is not incarcerated.
4. Each fiscal year, the cumulative profits and losses, if any, of the programs for the employment of offenders established by the Director must result in a profit for the Department. The following must not be included in determining whether there is a profit for the Department:
(a) Fees credited to the Fund for Prison Industries pursuant to NRS 482.268, any revenue collected by the Department for the leasing of space, facilities or equipment within the institutions or facilities of the Department, and any interest or income earned on the money in the Fund for Prison Industries.
(b) The selling expenses of the Central Administrative Office of the programs for the employment of offenders. As used in this paragraph, “selling expenses” means delivery expenses, salaries of sales personnel and related payroll taxes and costs, the costs of advertising and the costs of display models.
(c) The general and administrative expenses of the Central Administrative Office of the programs for the employment of offenders. As used in this paragraph, “general and administrative expenses” means the salary of the Deputy Director of Industrial Programs and the salaries of any other personnel of the Central Administrative Office and related payroll taxes and costs, the costs of telephone usage, and the costs of office supplies used and postage used.
5. If any state-sponsored program incurs a net loss for 2 consecutive fiscal years, the Director shall appear before the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary to explain the reasons for the net loss and provide a plan for the generation of a profit in the next fiscal year. If the program does not generate a profit in the third fiscal year, the Director shall take appropriate steps to resolve the issue.
6. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, the Director may, with the approval of the Board:
(a) Lease spaces and facilities within any institution of the Department to private employers to be used for the vocational training and employment of offenders.
(b) Grant to reliable offenders the privilege of leaving institutions or facilities of the Department at certain times for the purpose of vocational training or employment.
7. Before entering into any contract with a private employer for the employment of offenders pursuant to subsection 1, the Director shall obtain from the private employer:
(a) A personal guarantee to secure an amount fixed by the Director of:
(1) For a contract that does not relate to construction, not less than 25 percent of the prorated annual amount of the contract but not more than 100 percent of the prorated annual amount of the contract, a surety bond made payable to the State of Nevada in an amount fixed by the Director of not less than 25 percent of the prorated annual amount of the contract but not more than 100 percent of the prorated annual amount of the contract and conditioned upon the faithful performance of the contract in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract; or
(2) For a contract that relates to construction, not less than 100 percent of the prorated annual amount of the contract, a surety bond made payable to the State of Nevada in an amount fixed by the Director of not less than 100 percent of the prorated annual amount of the contract and conditioned upon the faithful performance of the contract in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract,
Ê or a security agreement to secure any debt, obligation or other liability of the private employer under the contract, including, without limitation, lease payments, wages earned by offenders and compensation earned by personnel of the Department. The Director shall appear before the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary to explain the reasons for the amount fixed by the Director for any personal guarantee or surety bond.
(b) A detailed written analysis on the estimated impact of the contract on private industry in this State. The written analysis must include, without limitation:
(1) The number of private companies in this State currently providing the types of products and services offered in the proposed contract.
(2) The number of residents of this State currently employed by such private companies.
(3) The number of offenders that would be employed under the contract.
(4) The skills that the offenders would acquire under the contract.
8. The provisions of this chapter do not create a right on behalf of the offender to employment or to receive the federal or state minimum wage for any employment and do not establish a basis for any cause of action against the State or its officers or employees for employment of an offender or for payment of the federal or state minimum wage to an offender.
9. As used in this section, “state-sponsored program” means a program for the vocational training or employment of offenders which does not include a contract of employment with a private employer.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 852; A 1979, 889, 1380; 1981, 733; 1983, 724; 1985, 254, 590, 1897; 1987, 1020; 1989, 551, 2122; 1991, 1586; 1993, 286, 2517; 1995, 2592; 1999, 2712; 2001, 378; 2007, 67; 2013, 1803; 2019, 814; 2021, 2519)
NRS 209.4615 Offender to obtain approval of Director for employment, contractual activity or business activity; private employment of offender.
1. An offender shall obtain the approval of the Director before the offender:
(a) Engages in any employment, including, but not limited to, employment by a private employer or self-employment;
(b) Enters into a contract; or
(c) Participates in a business activity.
2. The Director has sole discretion to approve or disapprove employment, contractual activity or business activity pursuant to subsection 1 and may withdraw approval at any time.
3. An offender who is employed by a private employer shall:
(a) Deposit his or her income from such employment in the offender’s individual account in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund;
(b) Provide the Director with a copy of all the offender’s federal income tax returns, reports and withholding forms when they become available to the offender; and
(c) Provide the Director with a record of any of the offender’s bank accounts, including, but not limited to, a checking account, savings account, investment account or account with a brokerage firm, upon a request from the Director.
4. Upon request of the Director, a private employer who employs an offender shall provide the Director with:
(a) Monthly statements accounting for all wages the employer paid to the offender; and
(b) Any additional information concerning the employment of the offender that is requested by the Director.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 3177)
NRS 209.462 Director to provide secure facility for production of license plates. The Director shall provide a secure facility to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the production of license plates.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1022; A 2001, 2588)
NRS 209.463 Deductions from wages earned by offender during incarceration; limitation on deductions; priority of deductions.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 209.2475, and subject to the limitation set forth in subsection 2, the Director may make the deductions described in subsection 3 or 4, as applicable, from the wages earned by an offender from any source during the offender’s incarceration.
2. The Director may not deduct more than 50 percent of the wages described in subsection 1 for each pay period of the offender.
3. If the hourly wage of the offender is equal to or greater than the federal minimum wage, the Director may deduct:
(a) In the following order of priority:
(1) An amount the Director considers reasonable to meet an existing obligation of the offender for restitution to a victim of his or her crime;
(2) An amount the Director considers reasonable to meet an existing obligation of the offender for the support of his or her family;
(3) An amount determined by the Director, with the approval of the Board, for deposit in the State Treasury for credit to the Fund for New Construction of Facilities for Prison Industries, but only if the offender is employed through a program for prison industries;
(4) An amount determined by the Director, with the approval of the Board, to offset the cost of maintaining the offender in the institution, as reflected in the budget of the Department, and any amount deducted pursuant to this subparagraph may include, but is not limited to, an amount to offset the cost of participation by the offender pursuant to NRS 209.4231 to 209.4244, inclusive, in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or a program of aftercare, or both;
(5) A deduction pursuant to NRS 209.246;
(6) An amount determined by the Director for deposit in the individual account of the offender in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund;
(7) An amount determined by the Director for deposit in a savings account for the offender, in which interest on the money deposited does not accrue, to be used for the payment of the expenses of the offender related to his or her release or, if the offender dies before his or her release, to defray expenses related to arrangements for his or her funeral;
(8) An amount the Director considers reasonable for deposit with the State Treasurer for credit to the Fund for the Compensation of Victims of Crime;
(9) An amount the Director considers reasonable to pay the balance of any fee imposed upon the offender for genetic marker analysis and included in the judgment entered against the offender pursuant to NRS 176.0915;
(10) An amount the Director considers reasonable to pay the balance of an administrative assessment included in the judgment entered against the offender for each crime for which the offender is incarcerated and the balance of an unpaid administrative assessment included in a judgment entered against the offender for a crime committed in this state for which the offender was previously convicted, and any amount deducted from the wages of the offender pursuant to this subparagraph must be submitted:
(I) If the offender does not have an administrative assessment owing from a judgment entered for a crime previously committed in this state, to the court that entered the judgment against the offender for which the offender is incarcerated; or
(II) If the offender has an administrative assessment owing from a judgment entered for a crime previously committed in this state, to the court that first entered a judgment for which an administrative assessment is owing, until the balance owing has been paid; and
(11) An amount the Director considers reasonable to pay the balance of a fine included in the judgment entered against the offender for each crime for which the offender is incarcerated and the balance of an unpaid fine included in a judgment entered against the offender for a crime committed in this state for which the offender was previously convicted, and any amount deducted from the wages of the offender pursuant to this subparagraph must be submitted:
(I) If the offender does not have a fine owing from a judgment entered for a crime previously committed in this state, to the court that entered the judgment against the offender for which the offender is incarcerated; or
(II) If the offender has a fine owing from a judgment entered for a crime previously committed in this state, to the court that first entered a judgment for which a fine or administrative assessment is owing, until the balance owing has been paid; and
(b) Any other deduction authorized by law from the wages earned by the offender from any source during the offender’s incarceration, the deduction of which must be made in an order of priority determined by the Director.
4. If the hourly wage of the offender is less than the federal minimum wage, the Director may deduct:
(a) In the following order of priority:
(1) An amount the Director considers reasonable to meet an existing obligation of the offender for restitution to a victim of his or her crime;
(2) An amount determined by the Director, with the approval of the Board, for deposit in the State Treasury for credit to the Fund for New Construction of Facilities for Prison Industries, but only if the offender is employed through a program for prison industries;
(3) An amount determined by the Director, with the approval of the Board, to offset the cost of maintaining the offender in the institution, other than the cost for room and board, as reflected in the budget of the Department, and any amount deducted pursuant to this subparagraph may include, but is not limited to, an amount to offset the cost of participation by the offender pursuant to NRS 209.4231 to 209.4244, inclusive, in a program of treatment for offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders or a program of aftercare, or both;
(4) A deduction pursuant to NRS 209.246;
(5) An amount determined by the Director for deposit in the individual account of the offender in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund;
(6) An amount determined by the Director for deposit in a savings account for the offender, in which interest on the money deposited does not accrue, to be used for the payment of the expenses of the offender related to the offender’s release or, if the offender dies before the offender’s release, to defray expenses related to arrangements for the offender’s funeral;
(7) An amount the Director deems reasonable for deposit with the State Treasurer for credit to the Fund for the Compensation of Victims of Crime; and
(8) An amount the Director considers reasonable to pay the balance of any fee imposed upon the offender for genetic marker analysis and included in the judgment entered against the offender pursuant to NRS 176.0915; and
(b) Any other deduction authorized by law from the wages earned by the offender from any source during the offender’s incarceration, the deduction of which must be made in an order of priority determined by the Director.
(Added to NRS by 1985, 590; A 1991, 1587; 1993, 936; 1995, 2594; 1997, 1683, 2655, 3184; 1999, 649, 654; 2013, 1080; 2021, 212, 1899; 2023, 2512)
NRS 209.471 Offender may be allowed to participate in program beneficial to community. The Director, with the approval of the Board, may allow offenders to participate in certain educational, civic and charitable programs in and deemed beneficial to the community in accordance with classification standards and appropriate security measures.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 853)
NRS 209.481 Assignment of offender to institution or facility of minimum security.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 176A.780, the Director shall not assign any prisoner to an institution or facility of minimum security if the prisoner:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 484C.400, 484C.410, 484C.430, 484C.440, 488.420, 488.425 and 488.427, is not eligible for parole or release from prison within a reasonable period;
(b) Has recently committed a serious infraction of the rules of an institution or facility of the Department;
(c) Has not performed the duties assigned to him or her in a faithful and orderly manner;
(d) Has ever been convicted of a sexual offense that is punishable as a felony;
(e) Has, within the immediately preceding year, been convicted of any crime involving the use or threatened use of force or violence against a victim that is punishable as a felony; or
(f) Has attempted to escape or has escaped from an institution of the Department.
2. The Director shall, by regulation, establish procedures for classifying and selecting qualified prisoners.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 1058; A 1981, 341; 1991, 218; 2001 Special Session, 196; 2005, 167, 617; 2007, 3178; 2013, 192, 1847)
INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
NRS 209.4815 Procedure for emergency purchase of supplies, materials or equipment. The Director may establish a procedure for the emergency purchase of supplies, materials or equipment for industrial and agricultural programs in institutions of the Department with money dedicated for that purpose. No such purchases may be made without the prior permission of the Administrator of the Purchasing Division of the Department of Administration. If such a procedure is established by the Director, the provisions of chapter 333 of NRS do not apply to those emergency purchases.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1021; A 1993, 1521)
NRS 209.4818 Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary: Duties relating to industrial programs.
1. The Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary shall:
(a) Be informed on issues and developments relating to industrial programs for correctional institutions;
(b) Submit a semiannual report to the Interim Finance Committee before July 1 and December 1 of each year on the status of current and proposed industrial programs for correctional institutions;
(c) Report to the Legislature on any other matter relating to industrial programs for correctional institutions that it deems appropriate;
(d) Recommend three persons to the Director for appointment as the Deputy Director for Industrial Programs whenever a vacancy exists;
(e) Before any new industrial program is established by the Director, review the proposed program for compliance with the requirements of subsections 2, 3, 4 and 7 of NRS 209.461 and submit to the Director its recommendations concerning the proposed program; and
(f) Review each state-sponsored industry program established pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 209.461 to determine whether the program is operating profitably. If the Committee determines that a program has incurred a net loss in 3 consecutive fiscal years, the Committee shall report its finding to the Director with a recommendation regarding whether the program should be continued or terminated. If the Director does not accept the recommendation of the Committee, the Director shall submit a written report to the Committee setting forth his or her reasons for rejecting the recommendation.
2. Upon the request of the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary, the Director and the Deputy Director for Industrial Programs shall provide to the Committee any information that the Committee determines is relevant to the performance of the duties of the Committee.
3. As used in this section, “state-sponsored industry program” means a program for the vocational training or employment of offenders which does not include a contract of employment with a private employer.
(Added to NRS by 2001, 2391; A 2007, 68; 2013, 1806; 2021, 2522)
RESTITUTION TO VICTIMS
NRS 209.4827 Centers to house offenders. The Director may:
1. With the approval of the Board, establish centers to house offenders within a community so they may work to earn wages with which to make restitution to the victims of their crimes.
2. If space is available, assign to the center:
(a) An offender participating in a work or educational release program.
(b) An offender who has been paroled if such a request is made by the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety.
(Added to NRS by 1981, 615; A 1983, 385; 1993, 1521; 2001, 2588)
NRS 209.4829 Assignment of offender to center. The Director may assign an offender to a center for the purpose of making restitution only if:
1. The offender requests the assignment;
2. The Director determines that the offender is suitable for the assignment;
3. The court set an amount of restitution pursuant to NRS 176.033; and
4. The offender makes an assignment to the Department of his or her wages earned while at the center.
(Added to NRS by 1981, 615; A 1989, 678)
NRS 209.4831 Deduction from wages of offender for living expenses. The Director shall determine, with the approval of the Board, an amount to be deducted from the wages of each parolee or other offender assigned to a center to offset the cost of providing the offender with housing, transportation, meals and medical and dental services at the center.
(Added to NRS by 1981, 616; A 1983, 385; 1985, 591)
NRS 209.4837 Agreement for assignment and distribution of wages of offender; schedule of restitution. Once the Director determines that restitution voluntarily offered by the offender can be made, the Director shall attempt to negotiate and enter into an agreement with the offender which provides for an assignment to the Department of all wages which the offender earns:
1. To make restitution payments:
(a) To the victims of any crime for which the offender is incarcerated and for which an amount of restitution was set pursuant to NRS 176.033; and
(b) For expenses related to extradition in accordance with NRS 179.225;
2. To reimburse the Department in part for its costs in providing the offender housing, transportation, meals and medical and dental services at the center, if applicable; and
3. For the offender’s own account to the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund.
Ê The agreement must contain a schedule of restitution payments to be made to all victims of crimes for which the offender is incarcerated and for which an amount of restitution was set pursuant to NRS 176.033. The payments may be made subject to such terms as the Director considers advisable.
(Added to NRS by 1981, 616; A 1985, 591, 1898; 1989, 678, 1130; 1993, 936)
NRS 209.4841 Distribution of earnings of offender.
1. The Director shall arrange for all earnings of an offender assigned to a center to be paid directly from the employer of the offender to the Department.
2. The Department shall:
(a) From the wages of an offender who has been paroled:
(1) Deduct the amount for housing, transportation, meals and medical and dental services determined under NRS 209.4831; and
(2) Distribute any remainder to the offender.
(b) From the wages of any other offender:
(1) Deduct the amount for housing, transportation, meals and medical and dental services determined under NRS 209.4831;
(2) Distribute any amount required by the schedule of restitution payments; and
(3) Deposit any remainder to the offender’s account in the Prisoners’ Personal Property Fund,
Ê in that order or priority.
(Added to NRS by 1981, 617; A 1983, 385; 1985, 592; 1989, 1130)
NRS 209.4843 Termination of payments of restitution. Payments of restitution through the Department must terminate:
1. When the offender is released from prison, except that the payments may be continued as a condition of parole; or
2. When the victim has received the full amount set by the court pursuant to NRS 176.033,
Ê whichever occurs first.
(Added to NRS by 1981, 617; A 1985, 1898; 1989, 679; 1993, 149)
PROGRAMS OF REENTRY INTO COMMUNITY
NRS 209.4871 Definitions. As used in NRS 209.4871 to 209.4889, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 209.4873 to 209.488, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
(Added to NRS by 2001, 1160; A 2003, 2578)
NRS 209.4873 “Correctional program” defined. “Correctional program” means a program for reentry of offenders and parolees into the community that is established by the Director pursuant to NRS 209.4887.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 2573)
NRS 209.4874 “Division” defined. “Division” means the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety.
(Added to NRS by 2001, 1160)
NRS 209.4877 “Judicial program” defined. “Judicial program” means a program for reentry of offenders and parolees into the community that is established in a judicial district pursuant to NRS 209.4883.
(Added to NRS by 2001, 1160; A 2003, 2578)
NRS 209.488 “Reentry court” defined. “Reentry court” means the court in a judicial district that has established a judicial program.
(Added to NRS by 2001, 1160; A 2003, 2578)
NRS 209.4883 Judicial program: Establishment; assignment of offenders; supervision of offenders.
1. A judicial district may establish a judicial program for reentry of offenders and parolees into the community pursuant to this section.
2. If a judicial district establishes a judicial program pursuant to this section, the reentry court shall:
(a) Determine whether offenders who are referred by the Director pursuant to NRS 209.4886 should be assigned to the custody of the Division to participate in a judicial program.
(b) Determine whether parolees who are referred by the Chair of the State Board of Parole Commissioners pursuant to NRS 213.625 should be ordered by the Board to participate in a judicial program as a condition of their parole.
(c) Supervise offenders and parolees participating in the judicial program during their participation in the judicial program.
3. An offender may not be assigned to the custody of the Division to participate in a judicial program unless the reentry court grants prior approval of the assignment pursuant to this section.
4. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 213.625, a parolee may not participate in a judicial program as a condition of his or her parole unless the reentry court grants prior approval for his or her participation pursuant to this section.
(Added to NRS by 2001, 1160; A 2003, 2578)
NRS 209.4886 Participation in judicial program: Referral of offender to reentry court; powers and duties of Director; regulations; reimbursement of costs; effect of violation of terms and conditions; status of offender.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a judicial program has been established in the judicial district in which an offender was sentenced to imprisonment, the Director may, after consulting with the Division, refer the offender to the reentry court if:
(a) The Director believes that the offender would participate successfully in and benefit from the judicial program;
(b) The offender has demonstrated a willingness to:
(1) Engage in employment or participate in vocational rehabilitation or job skills training; and
(2) Meet any existing obligation for restitution to any victim of his or her crime; and
(c) The offender is within 2 years of his or her probable release from prison, as determined by the Director.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if the Director is notified by the reentry court pursuant to NRS 209.4883 that an offender should be assigned to the custody of the Division to participate in the judicial program, the Director shall assign the offender to the custody of the Division to participate in the judicial program for not longer than the remainder of the offender’s sentence.
3. The Director shall, by regulation, adopt standards setting forth which offenders are eligible to be assigned to the custody of the Division to participate in the judicial program pursuant to this section. The standards adopted by the Director must be approved by the Board and must provide that an offender who:
(a) Has recently committed a serious infraction of the rules of an institution or facility of the Department;
(b) Has not performed the duties assigned to the offender in a faithful and orderly manner;
(c) Has, within the immediately preceding year, been convicted of any crime involving the use or threatened use of force or violence against a victim that is punishable as a felony;
(d) Has ever been convicted of a sexual offense that is punishable as a felony; or
(e) Has escaped or attempted to escape from any jail or correctional institution for adults,
Ê is not eligible for assignment to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section to participate in a judicial program.
4. The Director shall adopt regulations requiring offenders who are assigned to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section to reimburse the reentry court, the Division and the Department for the cost of their participation in a judicial program, to the extent of their ability to pay.
5. The reentry court may return the offender to the custody of the Department at any time for any violation of the terms and conditions imposed by the reentry court.
6. If an offender assigned to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section violates any of the terms or conditions imposed by the reentry court and is returned to the custody of the Department, the offender forfeits all or part of the credits for good behavior earned by the offender before the offender was returned to the custody of the Department, as determined by the Director. The Director may provide for a forfeiture of credits pursuant to this subsection only after proof of the violation and notice is given to the offender. The Director may restore credits so forfeited for such reasons as the Director considers proper. The decision of the Director regarding such a forfeiture is final.
7. The assignment of an offender to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section shall be deemed:
(a) A continuation of the offender’s imprisonment and not a release on parole; and
(b) For the purposes of NRS 209.341, an assignment to a facility of the Department,
Ê except that the offender is not entitled to obtain any benefits or to participate in any programs provided to offenders in the custody of the Department.
8. An offender does not have a right to be assigned to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section, or to remain in that custody after such an assignment. It is not intended that the establishment or operation of a judicial program creates any right or interest in liberty or property or establishes a basis for any cause of action against the State of Nevada, its political subdivisions, agencies, boards, commissions, departments, officers or employees.
(Added to NRS by 2001, 1161; A 2003, 2579; 2007, 3178)
NRS 209.4887 Correctional program: Establishment; assignment of offenders; restitution.
1. The Director may establish a correctional program for reentry of offenders and parolees into the community pursuant to this section.
2. If the Director establishes a correctional program pursuant to this section, the Director shall:
(a) Determine whether offenders in the custody of the Department are suitable to participate in a correctional program.
(b) Determine whether parolees who are referred by the Chair of the State Board of Parole Commissioners pursuant to NRS 213.632 are suitable to participate in a correctional program as a condition of their parole.
(c) Request that the Chair of the State Board of Parole Commissioners assign to a correctional program offenders and parolees determined by the Director to be suitable to participate in a correctional program, under the terms and conditions agreed upon by the Director and the Chair, including, if appropriate, supervision of the offenders and parolees by the Division during their participation in the correctional program.
3. An offender or parolee may not be assigned to the custody of the Division to participate in a correctional program unless the Director grants prior approval of the assignment pursuant to this section.
4. The Division may receive and distribute restitution paid by an offender assigned to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 2573; A 2013, 193)
NRS 209.4888 Participation in correctional program: Suitability of offender; powers and duties of Director; regulations; reimbursement of costs; effect of violation of terms and conditions; status of offender.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a correctional program has been established by the Director in the county in which an offender was sentenced to imprisonment, the Director may, after consulting with the Division, determine that an offender is suitable to participate in the correctional program if:
(a) The Director believes that the offender would participate successfully in and benefit from the correctional program;
(b) The offender has demonstrated a willingness to:
(1) Engage in employment or participate in vocational rehabilitation or job skills training; and
(2) Meet any existing obligation for restitution to any victim of his or her crime; and
(c) The offender is within 2 years of his or her probable release from prison, as determined by the Director.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if the Director determines that an offender is suitable to participate in the correctional program, the Director shall request that the Chair of the State Board of Parole Commissioners assign the offender to the custody of the Division to participate in the correctional program. The Chair may assign the offender to the custody of the Division to participate in the correctional program for not longer than the remainder of the offender’s sentence.
3. The Director shall, by regulation, adopt standards setting forth which offenders are suitable to participate in the correctional program pursuant to this section. The standards adopted by the Director must be approved by the Board and must provide that an offender who:
(a) Has recently committed a serious infraction of the rules of an institution or facility of the Department;
(b) Has not performed the duties assigned to the offender in a faithful and orderly manner;
(c) Has, within the immediately preceding year, been convicted of any crime involving the use or threatened use of force or violence against a victim that is punishable as a felony;
(d) Has ever been convicted of a sexual offense that is punishable as a felony; or
(e) Has escaped or attempted to escape from any jail or correctional institution for adults,
Ê is not eligible for assignment to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section to participate in a correctional program.
4. The Director shall adopt regulations requiring offenders who are assigned to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section to reimburse the Division and the Department for the cost of their participation in a correctional program, to the extent of their ability to pay.
5. The Director may return the offender to the custody of the Department at any time for any violation of the terms and conditions agreed upon by the Director and the Chair.
6. If an offender assigned to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section violates any of the terms or conditions agreed upon by the Director and the Chair and is returned to the custody of the Department, the offender forfeits all or part of the credits for good behavior earned by the offender before the offender was returned to the custody of the Department, as determined by the Director. The Director may provide for a forfeiture of credits pursuant to this subsection only after proof of the violation and notice is given to the offender. The Director may restore credits so forfeited for such reasons as the Director considers proper. The decision of the Director regarding such a forfeiture is final.
7. The assignment of an offender to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section shall be deemed:
(a) A continuation of the offender’s imprisonment and not a release on parole; and
(b) For the purposes of NRS 209.341, an assignment to a facility of the Department,
Ê except that the offender is not entitled to obtain any benefits or to participate in any programs provided to offenders in the custody of the Department.
8. An offender does not have a right to be assigned to the custody of the Division pursuant to this section, or to remain in that custody after such an assignment. It is not intended that the establishment or operation of a correctional program creates any right or interest in liberty or property or establishes a basis for any cause of action against the State of Nevada, its political subdivisions, agencies, boards, commissions, departments, officers or employees.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 2574; A 2007, 3180)
NRS 209.4889 Powers and duties of Director: Contracting for certain services for offenders or parolees in correctional or judicial program; providing referrals and information regarding services; applying for and accepting gifts and grants.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 208.280, the Director may enter into one or more contracts with one or more public or private entities to provide any of the following services, as necessary and appropriate, to offenders or parolees participating in a correctional or judicial program:
(a) Transitional housing;
(b) Treatment pertaining to a substance use disorder or mental health;
(c) Training in life skills;
(d) Vocational rehabilitation and job skills training; and
(e) Any other services required by offenders or parolees who are participating in a correctional or judicial program.
2. The Director may consult with the Division before entering into a contract with a public or private entity pursuant to subsection 1.
3. The Director shall, as necessary and appropriate, provide referrals and information regarding:
(a) Any of the services provided pursuant to subsection 1;
(b) Access and availability of any appropriate self-help groups;
(c) Social services for families and children; and
(d) Permanent housing.
4. The Director may apply for and accept any gift, donation, bequest, grant or other source of money to carry out the provisions of this section. Money received pursuant to this subsection may be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to the Account for Reentry Programs in the State General Fund created by NRS 480.810.
5. A contract entered into between the Director and a public or private entity pursuant to subsection 1 must require the entity to:
(a) Provide a budget concerning all services the entity will provide during the duration of any grant received.
(b) Provide all services required by any grant received.
(c) Provide to the Department for its approval a curriculum for any program of services the entity will provide.
(d) Provide to the Division, if appropriate, a list of the parolees who have completed or are currently participating in a program of services provided by the entity pursuant to any grant received.
(e) Provide to any offender or parolee who completes a program of services provided by the entity a certificate of completion, and provide a copy of such a certificate to the Division or the Department, as appropriate.
(f) To the extent financially practicable and necessary, assess the risk levels and needs of offenders and parolees by using a validated assessment tool.
(g) Share with the Director information concerning assessments of the risk levels and needs of offenders and parolees so the Director can ensure that adequate assessments are being conducted.
(h) While the entity is providing services pursuant to the contract, meet annually with the Director, a representative of the Division, and other entities that have entered into a contract with the Director pursuant to subsection 1 to discuss, without limitation:
(1) The services provided by the entities, including the growth and success of the services, any problems with the services and any potential solutions to such problems;
(2) Issues relating to the reentry of offenders and parolees into the community and reducing the risk of recidivism; and
(3) Issues relating to offenders and parolees who receive services from an entity and are subsequently convicted of another crime.
6. As used in this section, “training in life skills” includes, without limitation, training in the areas of:
(a) Parenting;
(b) Improving human relationships;
(c) Preventing domestic violence;
(d) Maintaining emotional and physical health;
(e) Preventing alcohol and other substance use disorders;
(f) Preparing for and obtaining employment; and
(g) Budgeting, consumerism and personal finances.
(Added to NRS by 2001, 1162; A 2003, 2580; 2009, 2593; 2015, 1005; 2019, 954)
RELEASE OR ESCAPE OF OFFENDER
NRS 209.492 Status while participating in work or educational release program or other assignment. Any offender participating in work or educational release programs or in any other classification assignment under the provisions of this chapter, other than parole:
1. Continues to be in the legal custody of the Director during the offender’s absence from an institution.
2. Is considered within the confines of the institution for these purposes, and is subject to all provisions of law pertaining to his or her confinement, regardless of the location of his or her assignment.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 853)
NRS 209.501 Temporary furloughs.
1. The Director may grant temporary furloughs consistent with classification evaluations and requirements:
(a) To permit offenders to:
(1) Be interviewed by prospective employers;
(2) Respond to family emergencies; or
(3) Participate in other approved activities.
(b) For such other purposes as may be deemed appropriate by the Director with the approval of the Board.
2. Furloughs:
(a) Are limited to the confines of the State.
(b) Must not be granted to offenders:
(1) Sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
(2) Imprisoned for violations of chapter 201 of NRS who have not been certified by the designated board as eligible for parole.
(c) Must not be granted to an offender who is imprisoned for committing a battery which constitutes domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.018, unless the Director makes a finding that the offender is not likely to pose a threat to the victim of the battery.
3. The Director shall notify appropriate law enforcement authorities in the affected county or city to anticipate the arrival of the offender within their jurisdiction and inform them of the date and time of the offender’s arrival, the reason the furlough was granted, the time when the furlough expires and any other pertinent information which the Director deems appropriate.
4. The Director with the approval of the Board shall adopt regulations for administering the provisions of this section and governing the conduct of offenders granted a furlough.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 853; A 1997, 1816)
NRS 209.511 Duties and authorized actions of Director relating to release of offenders from prison; payment of costs.
1. Before an offender is released from prison by expiration of his or her term of sentence, by pardon or parole, the Director may provide mediation services to the offender and the family members and friends of the offender who provide emotional, psychological and financial support to the offender.
2. As soon as practicable after an offender is authorized to apply for enrollment in Medicaid pursuant to NRS 422.272428 or 422.27487, the Director shall complete the paperwork for the application if the offender may be eligible for Medicaid:
(a) Not more than 90 days before the scheduled release of the offender pursuant to NRS 422.272428; or
(b) Immediately upon the scheduled release of the offender pursuant to NRS 422.27487.
3. Not later than 3 months before an offender is projected to be released from prison by expiration of his or her term of sentence, by pardon or parole, the Director may, if space is available, provide an eligible offender with one or more evidence-based or promising practice reentry programs to obtain employment, including, without limitation, any programs which may provide bonding for an offender entering the workplace and any organizations which may provide employment or bonding assistance to such a person.
4. When an offender is released from prison by expiration of his or her term of sentence, by pardon or by parole, the Director:
(a) May furnish the offender with a sum of money not to exceed $100, the amount to be based upon the offender’s economic need as determined by the Director;
(b) Shall give the offender notice of the provisions of chapter 179C of NRS and NRS 202.357 and 202.360;
(c) Shall require the offender to sign an acknowledgment of the notice required in paragraph (b);
(d) Shall give the offender notice of the provisions of NRS 179.245 and the provisions of NRS 213.090, 213.155 or 213.157, as applicable;
(e) Shall provide the offender with a photo identification card issued by the Department and information and reasonable assistance relating to acquiring a valid driver’s license or identification card to enable the offender to obtain employment, if the offender:
(1) Requests a photo identification card;
(2) Requests such information and assistance and is eligible to acquire a valid driver’s license or identification card from the Department of Motor Vehicles; or
(3) Is not currently in possession of a photo identification card;
(f) Shall provide the offender with clothing suitable for reentering society;
(g) Shall provide the offender with the cost of transportation to his or her place of residence anywhere within the continental United States, or to the place of his or her conviction;
(h) If appropriate, shall release the offender to a facility for transitional living for released offenders that is licensed pursuant to chapter 449 of NRS;
(i) Shall require the offender to submit to at least one test for exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus;
(j) If the offender is eligible for Medicare, shall complete enrollment application paperwork for the offender; and
(k) If the offender was receiving a prescribed medication while in custody, shall ensure that the offender is provided with a 30-day supply of any such prescribed medication.
5. The Director shall not provide an offender with a photo identification card pursuant to paragraph (e) of subsection 4 unless the photo identification card clearly indicates whether the Director:
(a) Has verified the full legal name and age of the offender by obtaining an original or certified copy of the documents required by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to NRS 483.290 or 483.860, as applicable, furnished as proof of the full legal name and age of an applicant for a driver’s license or identification card; or
(b) Has not verified the full legal name and age of the offender pursuant to paragraph (a).
6. The costs authorized or required in paragraphs (a), (e), (f), (g), (i) and (k) of subsection 4 must be paid out of the appropriate account within the State General Fund for the use of the Department as other claims against the State are paid to the extent that the costs have not been paid in accordance with subsection 5 of NRS 209.221 and NRS 209.246.
7. The Director is encouraged to work with the Nevada Community Re-Entry Task Force established by the Governor pursuant to executive order, or its successor body, if any, to align statewide strategies for the reentry of offenders into the community and the implementation of those strategies.
8. As used in this section:
(a) “Eligible offender” means an offender who is:
(1) Determined to be eligible for reentry programming based on the Nevada Risk Assessment System instrument, or its successor risk assessment tool; and
(2) Enrolled in:
(I) Programming services under a reentry program at a correctional facility which has staff designated to provide the services; or
(II) A community-based program to assist offenders to reenter the community.
(b) “Facility for transitional living for released offenders” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 449.0055.
(c) “Photo identification card” means a document which includes the name, date of birth and a color picture of the offender.
(d) “Promising practice reentry program” means a reentry program that has strong quantitative and qualitative data showing positive outcomes, but does not have sufficient research or replication to support recognition as an evidence-based practice.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 853; A 1979, 921; 1983, 725; 1987, 1474; 1991, 72; 1993, 7; 1995, 365; 2001, 1695; 2005, 267, 2357; 2011, 2602; 2013, 1259; 2017, 811, 4052; 2019, 645, 4447; 2021, 2187; 2023, 2996)
NRS 209.517 Notice to Department of Motor Vehicles when certain offenders have completed period of imprisonment or are placed on residential confinement. The Director shall notify the Department of Motor Vehicles when an offender who has had his or her license, permit or privilege to drive revoked pursuant to NRS 483.460 has completed a period of imprisonment or is placed on residential confinement. The notification process must conform to the guidelines provided in regulation by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to NRS 483.460.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 2051; A 2009, 1861)
NRS 209.521 Notification of victim of escape or release of offender.
1. If a victim of an offender provides his or her current address to the Director and makes a written request for notification of the offender’s release or escape, the Director shall notify the victim if the offender:
(a) Will be released into the community for the purpose of employment, training or education, or for any other purpose for which release is authorized; or
(b) Has escaped from the custody of the Department.
2. An offender must not be temporarily released into the community for any purpose unless notification of the release has been given to every victim of the offender who has requested notification and has provided his or her current address.
3. The Director may not be held responsible for any injury proximately caused by the Director’s failure to give any notice required pursuant to subsection 1 or 2 if no address was provided to the Director or the address provided is inaccurate or not current.
4. All personal information, including, but not limited to, a current or former address, which pertains to a victim and which is received by the Director pursuant to this section is confidential.
5. As used in this section, “victim” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 213.005.
(Added to NRS by 1985, 2098; A 1997, 3244; 2001 Special Session, 197)