NDOC warns of major overtime shortfall, IFC approves reimbursements and staffing-study funds
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Summary
The Nevada Department of Corrections told the Interim Finance Committee that long-running staffing shortages, training demands and contract rules are driving large overtime costs that create a projected shortfall in the current fiscal year. The committee approved work-program adjustments and one-shot funds tied to a contracted staffing study.
The Nevada Department of Corrections told the Interim Finance Committee that deep, systemic staffing gaps and operational practices are producing large overtime expenses that created a multi‑million dollar shortfall in the current fiscal year. Director James Urenda summarized causes and steps the department has taken and asked the committee to approve the department's work-program revisions and a one-shot appropriation tied to a staffing analysis.
Why it matters: The department said overnight staffing shortfalls have led to rolling lock-downs, cancelled visits and reduced programming; the committee approved budget adjustments intended to align budget authority and to permit a contracted staffing study to recommend long-term fixes.
What NDOC said: James Urenda, director of the Nevada Department of Corrections, described multiple drivers of overtime spending: high vacancy rates in correctional posts, unbudgeted out-of-state transfers, frequent pullouts of staff for academy and in-service training, and an existing collective-bargaining agreement (CBA) that the department said allows significant voluntary overtime and grants additional paid leave that is not included in the budget. Urenda said a staffing-analysis contractor will identify how many posts are required to operate facilities safely under American Correctional Association standards.
Urenda said the department has been operating with large vacancy rates but has begun aggressive hiring and a fast-track onboarding ("FAM") process to fill posts quickly. He also described how moving staff to training or to transport duties requires overtime coverage elsewhere in facilities. He said an outside consultant, Corrections Consultant Services, Inc., is under contract to complete a staffing study; department staff told the committee the contractor's final report is expected by June 30, 2025.
Committee questions and context: Committee members asked why the state had not already obtained a staffing study and why the study will complete after the legislative session. Assemblymember Daniel Monroe Moreno and other members noted prior appropriations for staffing studies (citing bills from recent sessions) and pressed department staff and the Office of the Governor's Finance Office for clarity on prior contracts and reversion of unspent study funds. The department said an RFP process, contracting steps with the Attorney General's Office and scheduling caused delays; CFO Jason Giesler said a portion of previously appropriated one-shot funds was being reverted because it would not be used.
Actions taken: The committee approved the work-program transfers and the departmental one-shot request related to the staffing study. Assemblymember Daniel Monroe Moreno moved the motion and Senator Kate Wynne seconded; the motion passed by voice vote. The items approved included agenda items listed as E64, E66, E67, E68 (Department of Corrections internal transfers) and F13 (one-shot staffing-study allocation).
Operational impacts: Wardens at facilities described operational changes intended to reduce overtime, including shifting in-person programs to distance or mailed formats, reducing visiting schedules (for example, moving to alternating-week visits), and reallocating local ARPA or county funds to address immediate gaps for projects such as the Washoe County behavioral health facility. The department said these measures reduce overtime but also reduce programming and in-person family contact until longer-term staffing fixes are implemented.
Ending: Committee members emphasized the need for a near-term plan and a long-term staffing solution. The department committed to providing the staffing-study deliverables and to continuing frequent status reports so the committee can assess whether budgetary changes or supplemental requests are needed.
Sources: James Urenda, director, Nevada Department of Corrections; Katie D'Socio, deputy director; Jason Giesler, CFO; Warden Jeremy Bean; committee members Assemblymember Daniel Monroe Moreno, Senator Kate Wynne, Assemblymember Watts, Senator Cannizzaro and others.
