Map indicates where possible detention center sites are situated. The vast majority are in and about the immediate Pahrump area. Advertisement

A meager turnout showed up for the scoping meeting at the Bob Ruud Community Center last week that was meant to gather public comment regarding a 1,000- to 1,500-bed federal detention facility in Pahrump.

Only one person opposed the idea.

Local officials, happily imagining the likely wages and economic development potential, waxed enthusiastic.

Scott Stermer, assistant trustee of the procurement division for the U.S. Department of Justice office of the federal detention trustee, said the firms operating the detention facility would have to pay at least $17.45 per hour, plus benefits, for the lowest paying positions of detention officer.

Brad Wiggins, senior director of site acquisition and development for Corrections Corp. of America, said afterwards his firm hires detention officers for at least $18.12 per hour.

Sheriff Tony DeMeo, who earlier expressed reservations about security, came out in favor of the project. He was satisfied his department will be asked for input into an emergency plan for the facility.

"I believe we have the assurances it will not only bring development but it will be safe for our community as well," DeMeo said.

Stermer said the U.S. Department of Justice will be looking at the past performance of companies bidding on the contract and the technical aspects of what they are proposing to construct. The staffing levels and their plans for subcontracting to local companies as vendors will be considered. Stermer said how contractors plan to overcome water and power problems will be a factor to be considered as well as the agreements they set up with local law enforcement and fire departments.

"This is not a low-bid contract, this is a best-bid contract," Stermer assured the audience. "Public safety is weighing heavily on our minds and not the money on the contract. I think that's important for the public to know."

Six of the sites being proposed for the federal detention center are in Pahrump (see related story on page A9). Two are in Apex, northeast of Las Vegas, another in Moapa Valley, farther northeast in Clark County. Another site is proposed in Dolan Springs, across Hoover Dam and off Highway 93 in northwestern Arizona. The facility must be within 75 miles of the Lloyd D. George Federal Building in Las Vegas.

Stemer remarked he was glad the officials were transported by four-wheel drive vehicle to inspect one of the sites in Pahrump on Mike Street. All the Pahrump sites are in the northeastern part of the Pahrump Valley, except one location in the far south near the Clark County line.

Stermer said some prisoners could be arraigned or face court appearances, by video-conference, similar to what is being done in Las Vegas, thus saving the cost of transport over the pass into Las Vegas.

But Stermer said some federal judges in Las Vegas want prisoners in their court in person.

The facility is needed to cope with a federal detention population that has skyrocketed from about 3,000 prisoners per day in 1981 to 55,000 per day currently, Stermer said.

"I wholeheartedly support the idea of bringing a detention center here. I believe it would be great for the community, the jobs," County Commissioner Butch Borasky said. "There are problems like lack of infrastructure, which most of the sites here don't have, so it's going to be a challenge no matter where the sites are picked."

Borasky also made federal officials aware property chosen here would have to rezoned. He suggested the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission help look at which sites are acceptable.

Barb Johnston, who grew up in upstate New York near multiple prisons, said she is wholeheartedly for the project.

"I know safety concerns are different in prisons than detention centers," Johnston said. "I believe this detention center would give a future to our graduates, knowing there is a job for them in their home town."

The only dissenting opinion at the public hearing came from Ann Bousquet, who was concerned the federal detention center locations were between her house and her daughter's.

"You have five proposals in my back yard," Bousquet said. She wanted answers on how the children would be protected and had worries Pahrump children would suffer the stigma of living in a prison town.

Bousquet said, "I am amazed that there are not more people here."

Stermer said though turnout was sparse, the public will have more opportunities to provide input at a hearing after the draft environmental impact statement is prepared, expected to take 45 days. Another hearing will be scheduled after publication of the final EIS, which will take another 30 days to prepare, he said.

Pahrump Town Board Chairman Laurayne Murray said residents in Pahrump went through a learning curve about the project.

"We're very comfortable with this project," Murray said. "We think Pahrump is the perfect place for you as well as the benefits it will bring to us. We have a growing community, we have housing, we have a lot of highly trained people who are currently driving to Las Vegas to work."

Pahrump Regional Planning Commission member Nevada Tolladay said Pahrump will be able to offer a regional airport in the not-too-distant future.

RPC member Dan Schinhofen said when he first heard about the project he was dead set against it.

"I met quite a few people, read quite a few things. I think this would be a great thing for our community," he said.

The U.S. Department of Justice doesn't know yet what the prison contractors are proposing. But Stermer said based on past experience the contractor could expect to spend $25 million to $28 million in the community on wages, with two-thirds of the personnel hired locally. The detention center would account for $2 million to $5 million in contracted services purchased from the community, he said.