Thread: Nevada: Clark County Correctional Officers Training To Be Im

Clark County Correctional Officers Training To Be Immigration Agents

Posted: May 2, 2008 06:39 PM PDT


Metro is about to start a program that would make some Clark County Correctional Officers immigration agents.

Action News reporter Tania Reyes explains the reason behind the program.

The Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, is teaming up with Metro to get violent criminals out of local jails and out of the country.

On average 3,300 inmates are crammed into the Clark County Detention Center.

Besides overcrowding, there is also another problem.

The current system we have we cannot determine alienage.

Currently, 20% of the population being booked into the facility is foreign born but right now they cannot tell whether they are legal or illegal.

Through a new program, eight correctional officers will have the training and tools to act as immigration agents inside the Clark County Jail.

There will now be a system in place to remove undocumented criminals from the country.

The program has been in the works for more than a year but Metro says it is in its final stages of approval.

"In my opinion, it is going to be a positive thing for our community. It is going to make our communities safer," said Captain John Donahue.

Currently, the program costs about $135 a day.

If the program takes effect organizers hope it will not only reduce crime but possibly free up some much needed jail space.

The program is funded by the Federal Government.

There are about 40 other counties around the nation who have the system in place.

Stay tuned to Action News as we monitor developing news around the Valley.

http://www.ktnv.com/global/story.asp?s=8264646

I am impressed.....I live in Clark County and I am thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!