About three-quarters of Nevada corrections workers are vaccinated against COVID-19 as the state's mandate starts to go into effect this month, according to new numbers provided by the Nevada Department of Corrections.
The latest figures show 76% of NDOC employees are either partially or fully vaccinated, a 12% jump from October, the last time NDOC publicly released the data.
On Oct. 25, state officials reported just 64% of workers were partially or fully vaccinated. NDOC currently employs about 2,200 people, meaning over 200 initiated the vaccination process in the last four weeks.
Although the figures represent a significant improvement, several hundred are still not immunized as the vaccine mandate takes effect. About 830 NDOC employees were officially reprimanded on Nov. 2 for not complying with the policy.
According to documents obtained by News 4-Fox 11, the letters of reprimand warned unvaccinated workers of 'progressive disciplinary action' if they do not get vaccinated.
Prison officials had initially planned to start suspending employees on Nov. 9, but an NDOC spokesperson confirmed no employees have yet been suspended.
As of Nov. 18, over 6,000 Nevada inmates, roughly 41%, had contracted COVID-19, according to the state dashboard. Forty nine inmates and three NDOC staff have died after contracting the coronavirus.
An NDOC spokesperson said NDOC leaders weren't available for an interview Thursday, but explained in an emailed statement the disciplinary timeline.
"The progressive discipline process began with letters of reprimand. It could take until the first of next year to get through to progress to the suspension or termination phase. NDOC plans to work with employees along the process to avoid suspension/termination," wrote deputy public information officer Teri Vance.
Paul Lunkwitz, president of a union representing some NDOC corrections officers, said NDOC moved forward too quickly with disciplinary action. He provided documentation showing that at least two officers were reprimanded while their requests for a religious exemption were still pending.
"This was a foregone conclusion. The department intended on disciplining these employees without even considering the religious exemption. No due process," Lunkwitz said.
A woman whose husband is incarcerated and represents families with loved ones in prison said she supported the mandate, but worried NDOC isn't prepared enough for possible staffing shortages.
"The only way the virus is entering the prison system is through staff," said Jodi Hocking, with Return Strong: Families United for Justice for the Incarcerated.
A mandate is the only way to protect people who are incarcerated.
Email reporter Ben Margiott at bjmargiott@sbgtv.com. Follow @BenMargiott on Twitter and Ben Margiott KRNV on Facebook.