Board members received an update on Silver State Industries (SSI) and offender work programs that the department says provide job skills and post-release employment pathways.

Bill Quenga, deputy director of industrial programs, said SSI is a self-supporting operation that currently places about 360 offenders in shops that mirror outside industries (print, furniture, metal, mattress, ranch, garment and auto). He described partnerships — for example, a longstanding welding program with Western Nevada College and employer partnerships with Ericsson Framing — and said SSI aims to place offenders into marketable jobs after release.

Quenga highlighted recent graduations at Northern Nevada Correctional Center, where 11 graduates earned 13 degrees and certificates, and noted negotiations with a firm planning to repurpose a large facility to manufacture trusses, windows and HVAC components that could create work for female offenders at Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center.

Board members thanked staff for the work and asked for more detail on participation rates; Quenga said 360 workers is below 10 percent of the department’s population and the agency is reorganizing to increase placements.

Next steps: SSI extended an open invitation for board members to tour prison industries operations; NDOC said it will continue to pursue partnerships to expand work opportunities and certifications.