NDOC completes transfer of nearly 2,000 inmates between Nevada prisons

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The Nevada Department of Corrections announced Wednesday that the prisoner swap between Ely State Prison and High Desert State Prison is complete.

According to a press release, nearly 2,000 inmates were moved between the two facilities over several days. Additionally, the facilities have swapped security designations, making Ely a medium-security facility and High Desert the new maximum-security facility.

High Desert prison employees have received additional training to handle maximum-security offenders, which include the use of “Less Lethal Systems” like pepper ball launchers.

An NDOC spokesperson also said while the recent fight that killed three offenders at Ely was part of the decision to swap, it was “not the impetus.”

“NDOC officials have been planning the move for several months due to an uptick in gang activity and violence, along with the remote nature of Ely State Prison,” the release stated. “The highest-risk offenders will now be housed where staffing levels are greater, and the institution is closer to outside law-enforcement and medical services, if necessary.”

NDOC also added that the operation was a highly sensitive one that put officers, staff, and inmates at risk, which is why it wasn’t discussed beforehand.

“We were fortunate to work with a number of agencies that helped make this a seamless transition, with no injuries to staff or offenders. Of course, it would not have been possible without our own highly trained officers in both the north and the south who handled this difficult operation with the utmost professionalism and skill,” said James Dzurenda, Director of the Nevada Department of Corrections. “We believe this move will increase the efficiency of the Department and, most importantly, maintain a safer environment for our offenders, our staff and the community.”

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