LAS VEGAS " A federal judge has refused to stop Nye County from moving forward with plans for a federal prison in Pahrump, despite neighbors' claims that they were not properly notified and that required environmental reviews were not completed.
U.S. District Court Judge Kent Dawson declined Wednesday to issue a temporary restraining order against the Correctional Corporation of America Inc. plan, saying he saw no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Nye County officials.
"The fact that neighbors don't want it ... is not good enough," Dawson said.
A lawyer for residents who filed a civil lawsuit Dec. 15 said the county and Correctional Corporation of America failed to perform required scientific research and did not adequately notify residents until after county officials had given the project the go-ahead.
The county even removed an ordinance requiring prisons to be at least 50,000 feet from a residence, lawyer Nancy Lord said.
Attorney Josh Aicklen, representing Correctional Corporation of America, said the county and company "dotted every 'i' and crossed every 't"' in efforts to build the prison.
Aicklen said that in a separate proceeding prior to a Nye County hearing, an attorney complained about the conditions for federal prisoners held at the North Las Vegas Detention Center.
"People charged with crimes need this facility," he said.