Inmate recidivism rate low in Nevada

Nevada has one of the lowest inmate recidivism rates in the country, but that may be because some end up in California prisons after their release here, a correctional expert said.

James Austin estimated 20 percent of Nevada inmates are California residents who "had fun in Las Vegas or Reno for a couple of years," ended up in prison and will return home when they are released.

About 28 percent of prisoners released in Nevada commit new crimes and are returned to prison within three years. That compares with a national rate of more than 40 percent, Austin said Tuesday during a meeting of the Nevada Parole Commission.

Austin has a $20,000 contract with the commission to re-evaluate risk assessment factors used in deciding whether to release prisoners.

He helped develop the current system three years ago. His report is due before the end of the year.

Austin said he is conducting similar reviews for other states, including California, and will seek information on how many California inmates were previously imprisoned in Nevada.

Inmates in Nevada are assessed by the Parole Commission on 12 factors, such as whether they have a history of drug use or gang involvement.

Most of those who attended Tuesday's public hearing were relatives of inmates.

Tonja Brown of Carson City cried as she read from a book she wrote about her brother, Nolan Klein, convicted of raping a woman in 1988. He died behind bars in September.

Brown claimed parole commissioners wouldn't release her brother because he maintained his innocence, and the commission only releases prisoners who show remorse for their crimes.

"A truly innocent man died because of their actions," she said.