Vaccinations climb in Nevada prisons as visitation reopens
CARSON CITY — The Nevada Department of Corrections announced Thursday that almost half of offenders have been vaccinated against COVID-19, surpassing the initial number of offenders requesting vaccination.
Upon initial survey earlier this year, 5,063 offenders signed up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As of Tuesday (May 4, 2021) 5,187 offenders have received at least the first dose. “We are pleased so many offenders have prioritized their health and the health of others around them,” said Charles Daniels, Director of the Nevada Department of Corrections. “We are proud of our staff and grateful to our community partners for successfully vaccinating such a large group in a relatively short time.”
More than 10 vaccine clinics are scheduled in the next two weeks at facilities around the state, including High Desert State Prison on Monday.
As the vaccine rates increase, restrictions will decrease regarding visitation, according to protocols laid out by the Department last week. After being closed for 14 months due to the pandemic, limited visitation resumed May 1.
“Overwhelmingly, the response was positive,” said Brian Williams, Deputy Director of Operations for the Nevada Department of Corrections. “Families, some of whom traveled great distances, were happy to be reunited after a prolonged hiatus. We look forward to opening to more visitors in the future.”
After a 30-day trial, the Department will re-evaluate current visitation protocols. Institutions that have a 75% or greater vaccination rate will have some restrictions lifted, allowing for more frequent visits and more visitors, as well as the participation of younger children. Once an institution reaches 80%, visitation will resume at pre-pandemic levels, but with the addition of appointments to streamline the process for both visitors and offenders.
“We’ve been hearing from visitors that they prefer having set appointments," Williams said. “It makes the process more efficient, leaving more time for the actual visit.”
Linda Fox, Pharmacy Director, for the Nevada Department of Corrections, said the partnership with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services expedited the immunization process.
“We have always received the doses requested, and we have never allowed vaccine to expire,” she said. “We received robust community support. All rural camps, as well as over 700 inmates at Lovelock Correctional Center, were vaccinated by the Local Health Authority.
The Nevada Department of Corrections is committed to building a safer community by striving to incorporate progressive best practices in all aspects of corrections. NDOC houses more than 12,000 persons with felony convictions in 18 facilities statewide. For more information visit www.doc.nv.gov.
In addition, a local pharmacy has vaccinated all willing staff and inmates on a volunteer basis at Ely State Prison.”
Location and percentage of inmates to receive at least first dose
Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center, 68 percent
Jean Conservation Camp, 72 percent
Casa Grande Transitional Housing, 100 percent
High Desert State Prison, 24 percent
Tonopah Conservation Camp, 50 percent
Southern Desert Correctional Center/Three Lakes, 64 percent
Northern Nevada Correctional Center, 45 percent
Stewart Conservation Camp, 45 percent
Warm Springs Correctional Center, 58 percent
Northern Nevada Transitional Housing, 100 percent
Ely State Prison, 61 percent
Pioche Conservation Camp, 45 percent
Wells Conservation Camp, 69 percent
Lovelock Correctional Center, 71 percent
Carlin Conservation Camp, 33 percent
Humboldt Conservation Camp, 79