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The Nevada Department of Corrections released a sad announcement on Thursday, January 22, 2026. In the report, they announced the deaths of two inmates, 62-year-old William Johnson and 62-year-old Lance Austin.
According to authorities, Johnson was serving a sentence of up to 20 years at Lovelock Correctional Center. He’s been at the state prison since 2021, when he relocated from Clark County. Johnson was originally put behind bars after being convicted of preventing a witness from testifying by bribing or intimidating them, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and battery by a prisoner with a deadly weapon.
The second inmate, Lance Austin, was also serving a sentence of anywhere from 20 years to life. His original conviction included kidnapping and sexual assault charges. Similarly to Johnson, Austin was also transferred from Clark County in 2023. He passed away while serving time at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City.
In the police announcement, it was stated that the cause of death for both men has not bene specified. Autopsies have been ordered for both men. No further details were provided.
Statistics from the State of Nevada Department of Corrections shows that 76 offenders passed away while in custody throughout 2025.
In 2024, the number was 55; in 2023, it was 46. The significant jump in 2025 has been attributed in part to conditions at High Desert State Prison. Statistics show that multiple homicides happened in this facility, many of them tied to drug debt.
Both the U.S. Constitution and the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) protect an inmate’s fundamental rights, including the right to be free from excessive force, inhumane treatment, and abuse. Inmates are also required to have access to adequate medical care, basic hygiene products, and sufficient nutrition to meet their needs.
All of these rights are designed to ensure that inmates remain as healthy and safe as possible in a prison environment. Inmates have the right to be protected from assaults from other inmates, but at the same time, correctional officers can’t reasonably be expected to stop every instance of violence when attempting to control violent offenders.
That said, in cases where fatalities happen, there’s often a lengthy investigation into the situation. If a right’s violation is suspected, then investigators take things on a case-by-case basis to determine if the correctional staff reasonably attempted to protect the vulnerable inmates.
If the correctional facility and staff did not take reasonable precautions to attempt to prevent a violent attack, then it might be possible for the family of the killed inmate to pursue a lawsuit against the negligent facility and staff. In situations where an attack happens that isn’t fatal, the injured inmate can seek out a lawsuit.
Are you currently an inmate in a Nevada correctional facility? Do you believe that your rights may have been violated? Here at LV Criminal Defense, our team can help you explore your options if your rights and options. Schedule a call now by leaving your contact details on our online form.
