Gibbons begins plan to close Nevada State Prison

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons has set plans in motion to close Nevada State Prison in Carson City, despite a lack of approval by the state Legislature.

Gibbons spokesman Dan Burns said today the governor's position is that he doesn't need Legislative approval to phase out the prison and transfer about 650 inmates and more than 200 employees.

Burns says inmate transfers have started and will take about six to eight months.

Gibbons says closing the prison will save the state at least $3 million per year.

The Nevada Department of Corrections runs eight other facilities in the state. Nevada State Prison was established in 1862 and was rebuilt after an 1867 fire.

Gibbons announced that monthly furloughs for prison employees will start July 1.