Nevada Office of the Ombudsperson for Offenders
NV DOC Ombudsperson
Summary
Established by NRS §209.2445 (enacted 2023), the Office of the Ombudsperson for Offenders is housed within and funded by the Nevada DOC. The Ombudsperson is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of State Prison Commissioners (Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General). The office investigates and attempts to resolve offender grievances, including alleged abuse, neglect, and law violations. It has access to NOTIS grievance records but no subpoena power. Annual reports are submitted to the Governor and Legislature by December 1 each year. An internal Inspector General (referenced in NRS §289.220 and §209.2445) handles criminal investigations and professional responsibility matters separately but has no independent statutory chapter.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | Not specified |
| Removal standard | At will (weak protection) |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Restricted |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Office of the Ombudsperson for Offenders
- Citation
- NRS §209.2445
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Nevada Department of Corrections offenders; employee misconduct as it affects offender welfare