LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — State officials are answering questions about security for a future mental health facility for inmates, as some neighbors have lingering questions and concerns.
The $399 million project is situated on dozens of acres of state land off Charleston Blvd. and Jones Blvd. It has 298 beds for inmates and mental health treatment and services; the facility can accommodate future expansion, which could provide an additional 90 to 120 beds.
The site is adjacent to the future Campus for Hope project.
In spring 2025, FOX5 covered state officials’ explanation to lawmakers of the dire need for new facilities and additional bed space, while also covering neighbor concerns over safety. A petition opposing the project and the Campus for Hope garnered 1,500 signatures.
FOX5 went to the neighborhood Monday, and several residents told FOX5 they hadn’t heard of the project or had recently learned about it. Some voiced concerns about safety and property values.
“Just putting something there without our knowledge is totally unfair,” said Katherine, who runs a psychic reading service across the street. She tells FOX5, she is satisfied with the recently announced efforts for security and LVMPD presence at the Campus for Hope— but now has new concerns about the forensic facility.
“That’s almost 300 people. That’s a lot. It’s a high number,” she said. “We should, as a city, know what’s going on. We should be aware of it. We have properties,” Katherine said.
Many residents still wonder why they were not notified of the projects, as they would with typical construction proposals in the City of Las Vegas and across the Las Vegas Valley. Both the Campus for Hope and Forensic Facility are state-funded projects; funding was approved by the Nevada Legislature, and government agencies announced the designated locations.
The Governor’s Office released the following statement:
The Governor’s Office is committed to working with DPBH to ensure proper security measures are in place so that inpatient individuals can receive the care they need in a safe and secure facility.
The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health provided FOX5 the following answers to our questions:
The new Southern Nevada Forensic Facility (SNFF) is designed to meet the greater needs for forensic services upon opening in 2029. With 298 forensic beds, the facility will serve all of Clark County and surrounding counties. Individuals admitted into the SNFF will receive supportive, dignified care in a secure environment. The multidisciplinary team assigned to each client provides a treatment plan specifically designed for their needs. The facility is also built with future expansion in mind with the potential for an additional tower that will provide an additional 90-120 beds as demand for services increase.
At this time, there is no new information beyond what has been previously shared. The Stein forensic hospital run by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) has operated on the Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services (SNAMHS) campus since 2015. Throughout that time, the DPBH has worked hard to have good relationships with the community and will continue to do so. The Division will maintain high-quality services along with safety and security.
The new forensic building is replacing the existing facility and will better enable Nevada to meet the increased demand for this level of service. It will offer enhanced therapeutic and clinical care for those involved in the justice system in a secure environment. In addition, DPBH employs specially trained peace officers to provide 24/7/365 security. Safety for individuals receiving care, DPBH staff and the community remains one of the Division’s highest priorities.
DPBH leadership has met with the community and listens closely to their concerns. We share their interest in ensuring the facility is secure and the surrounding community feels safe. The Division’s focus is on ensuring the facility operates in a way that supports both public safety and delivery of high-quality care, supported by its purpose‑built secure design and continuous on‑site peace officer presence.
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