LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has requested a review of the state's criminal justice system to see if the state can control growing prison costs, reduce repeat offenders and make communities safer.
Sandoval announced Thursday that the review will be conducted by the state's Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice, which will come up with recommendations for lawmakers to consider when they meet in their 2019 session.
Nevada's prison population grew 11 percent from 2010 to 2016. Sandoval's office says that was driven by a "staggering" 35 percent increase in the state's female prison population.
The Republican governor's office says that the state's corrections budget has grown 4 percent over the past decade to $347 million.
Sandoval's office says that without changes, the state will have to look at building new facilities or housing inmates in other states.