There are plans for a 2000 inmate private prison to be built only 5 miles north-west of Rachel, near Gunderson Road. These plans are quite far along, and if we do not act now, this will become a reality. Please see the flyer below for only a few of the problems this will cause for the Rachel area. This is not only of great importance for the residents of Rachel, but also for you, who like to visit this area because of its remoteness, natural beauty and clear dark skies at night. With a 2000 bed prison, all that will be gone! The Rachel valley will change forever! Forget about the quiet, friendly place Rachel is today. Forget about sky-watching at night. Forget about camping in the area and feeling safe at night. Visitors of the prisoners will crowd the roads, floodlights will illuminate the entire valley and the desert environment will be destroyed.

We must act now: A meeting is planned with the staff of the planning commission on Saturday, September 6th at 10.00 AM in the quonset hut in Rachel, next to DC Day Park. Everyone concerned about the prison is invited to attend. Those who can not attend, please email your comments to norachelprison@yahoo.com.

Media Coverage

• Private Prison Opposed in Rachel Area - From Lincoln County Record, August 28, 2008
• The home they love, for now - Jobs be damned, say residents who prize freedom, stars and sunsets. From Las Vegas Sun, September 7, 2008
• Meeting on Proposed Prison Draws Large Crowd in Rachel - From Lincoln County Record, September 11, 2008
• A terrible idea - Considering past failures with private prisons, state shouldn't consider Rachel plan. From Las Vegas Sun, September 14, 2008
• What price desolation? - Rachel residents consider raising $900 to continue fight against development. From Las Vegas Sun, September 18, 2008
• Planning Commission Approves Permit for Rachel Prison - From Lincoln County Record, September 18, 2008
• Commissioners Uphold Special Use Permit for Toreson Industries - From Lincoln County Record, October 23, 2008

Lincoln County Meeting Minutes

• Planning Commission Minutes for July 10, 2008 - See page 4, item 8: There is some discussion about "building a new town" and about "an airport located in the Rachel area", which the board would not be opposed to
• Planning Commission Minutes for August 14, 2008 - See item 3: Special Use Permit for Toreson Industries, Inc. for a Medium Security Private Prison housing up to 2,000 inmates located 4 miles West of Rachel, NV
• County Commission Minutes for August 18, 2008 - See page 5, top: There is mention of a "great deal of opposition" against the planned prison in Rachel, and that "the Rachel prison has caused an uproar". It also states that Planning Director Clint Wertz "has asked that all those individuals that are opposed to the prison provide a factual foundation for their objections."
• County Commission Minutes for September 2, 2008 (Draft) - See page 4, item #19
• Planning Commission Agenda for September 11, 2008 - See item 5: Continuance for a Special Use Permit for Toreson Industries, Inc. for a Medium Security Private Prison housing up to 2,000 inmates located 4 miles West of Rachel, NV

Information on Private Prisons

• Private Prison Firms Can't Be Trusted - Private prison operators often promise decision-makers the world to get a contract. However, once a private firm sets up shop, its loyalty is to its shareholders and not to local residents. From the AFSCME web site.
• The Industry - Summary of the history of the private prison industry in the United States. From the AFSCME web site.
• Corrections Corporation of America - A critical look at its first twenty years

This photo was taken from Hwy 375 near Queen City Summit, facing south-east. You can see the lights of Rachel, a car heading west and a few lights from the irrigation pivots of the farms. The bright light behind the field in the foreground is the location of the planned prison. Scroll down to get an idea of what the new prison would look like at night.

This photo of the Ely State Prison shows what our valley would look like with the new prison. The Ely prison is comparable in size to the planned Rachel prison.

Another photo of the Ely State Prison, showing the resulting light pollution under similar lighting conditions as photo of Rachel above.