Florence McClure inmate dies at military medical center
60-year-old woman was serving time for manslaughter, elderly abuse
A 60-year-old inmate from Nevada’s only women’s prison died at a military hospital last week, marking the latest death in the state’s correctional system, officials announced Thursday.
Kelly King died July 9 at Mike O’Callahan Military Medical Center at Nellis Air Force Base after being transferred from Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center in North Las Vegas, according to the Nevada Department of Corrections. The cause of death remains undetermined pending an autopsy.
King was serving a sentence of up to nine years after convictions for manslaughter and abuse of an elderly person. The department did not provide details about when she began her sentence or the circumstances that led to her hospitalization.
Deaths mount across Nevada prisons
King’s death adds to a growing list of fatalities within Nevada’s prison system in 2025. According to department records, at least 10 inmates have died in state custody through the first half of the year, though the total may be higher as not all deaths are immediately reported publicly.
The deaths have occurred across multiple facilities, including High Desert State Prison, Northern Nevada Correctional Center, and Ely State Prison. Causes range from apparent natural causes to homicides under investigation.
Florence McClure, located at 4370 Smiley Road in North Las Vegas, houses approximately 950 female inmates across all security levels, from minimum to maximum custody. The facility also contains Nevada’s female death row.
History of challenges at the facility
The 145,000-square-foot prison opened in 1997 as Nevada’s first privately operated correctional facility, originally run by Corrections Corporation of America. The state took direct control in 2004 after the private operator cited annual losses exceeding $1 million.
Named after prisoner advocate Florence McClure in 2007, the facility has faced criticism over the years for various issues, including medical care access. Inmates have reported difficulties obtaining treatment for serious conditions, and advocacy groups have documented cases of pregnant inmates being shackled during childbirth as recently as 2002.
The prison offers various rehabilitation programs, including academic courses through Clark County School District, vocational training, and the “Pups on Parole” program where inmates train rescue dogs for adoption.
As with all in-custody deaths, King’s case will undergo review by the department’s mortality review committee. The autopsy results, when available, will help determine whether any systemic issues contributed to her death.
The Nevada Department of Corrections has not responded to requests for additional information about the circumstances surrounding King’s hospitalization or death.
Image Source: https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/inmate-at-las-vegas-prison-dies-corrections-department-says-3397833/
Category: State News
Subcategory: Crime & Safety
Date: 07/18/2025
