NV Prison Chief Wants New Death Chamber

Nevada has more than 80 prison inmates on death row. No one has been put to death since 2006 and no executions are scheduled.

But state prisons chief Greg Cox is asking state lawmakers for $800,000 to build a death chamber at Ely State Prison.

The Las Vegas Sun reports that Cox also asked a legislative budget committee last week for money to hire 100 more prison guards.

Gov. Brian Sandoval's budget called for a new death chamber two years ago but the Legislature rejected it.

Sandoval is recommending it again, along with $7.6 million for more guards.

Officials say the prison population could soon top 13,000.

Cox says it could cost $10 million to reopen a mothballed state prison in Jean, south of Vegas.

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