“A Mother’s Perspective: Funding for Detention Officers at Otero County Jail”
The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration has allocated $24.8 million to fund new corrections officers for 22 out of 33 county jails and prison facilities across the state. While I wholeheartedly support the need for more corrections officers and recognize this as a crucial step toward addressing the challenges within our struggling jail and prison system, I believe this issue deserves greater scrutiny, particularly regarding facilities along our Southern border.
Counties like ours face increasing pressures related to border issues, underscoring the urgent need for more corrections officers and jail staff. For instance, the Otero County Detention Center currently faces a staggering 32% vacancy rate for detention employees, yet it will receive funding for only four new corrections officers. This allocation leaves a significant shortfall in staffing levels.
I have numerous questions regarding this funding decision. How were the allocations determined for each facility? Did state officials consider factors such as crime rates in the surrounding communities, the locations of the jails, or historical unrest in the specific facilities receiving funding?
These concerns weigh heavily on my mind, especially when reflecting on the chaos and unrest that have plagued the Otero County Detention Center since 2017. My heart goes out not only to the inmates within these walls but also to their families, the employees, and their families, ultimately impacting the entire community adjacent to the jail—including our valued military community across the street.
While the allocation of these funds demonstrates that the state acknowledges the problems facing our county jails and prison systems, much more help is still required.
One way the community can support this initiative is by considering a career in corrections. The ongoing staffing shortages at the Otero County Detention Center pose risks to both those inside and the surrounding community.
The facility urgently needs qualified, honest, and capable corrections officers—individuals who will not be intimidated or swayed. If you’re looking for a meaningful career that makes a difference, I urge you to consider a path in corrections.
