Las Vegas neighbors push back against planned $381 million forensic hospital
FOX5 Vegas reported on community resistance to the Southern Nevada Forensic Facility, a planned 298-bed, maximum-security hospital for mentally disordered offenders on the Charleston and Jones Boulevard campus, with a $381 million price tag. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 and the facility to open in August 2029; the state currently has 151 forensic beds.
More than 1,000 residents signed a petition citing escape risk, traffic and a lack of transparency, and one threatened legal action. State officials defended the project by pointing to roughly 130 people awaiting forensic services, average waits of two to three months and daily court-imposed fines for inadequate capacity.
The controversy shows the siting and cost difficulties facing Nevada's main long-term answer to its competency waitlist.
Source: Las Vegas residents raise concerns over planned ‘maximum-security’ mental health facility for inmates — FOX5 Vegas, by Jaclyn Schultz
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