Second Inmate Dies by Suicide at Lincoln County Detention Center; 24-Year-Old Was Held for BIA

The inmate was reportedly being held on behalf of the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. The inmate's name and the circumstances of the death have not been released, and county officials have not publicly confirmed the incident. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The death comes the same day AlamogordoTownNews.org and KALHRadio.org reported that Lincoln County is withholding records about the jail's previous suicide.

Requests for information have been sent to Lincoln County officials, detention center administration and the office of Sheriff Wood. As of publication, none had responded

Records still withheld

The county has not released records about the August suicide or staffing levels at the jail, and its attorney has said the next update on the request won't come until mid-December. Citing an ongoing investigation, the county is withholding incident reports, the medical examiner's report, video footage, and healthcare staff communications to jail or county officials from the 90 days before the death. The county said other records, including staffing rosters for the night of the death, recent safety inspections and records on cell visibility, are held by the jail's private operator.

On Tuesday, this news outlet sent a written demand to the county's attorney and records custodian. It asks the county to release the staffing and inspection records and to confirm that the operator has been told to preserve all related records, including video.

Private operator, public money

Correctional Solutions Group LLC (CSG) of Tyler, Texas, has run the jail since 2020. The county pays CSG about $5.45 million a year, and the current contract expires Jan. 27, 2027.

The budget CSG submitted for the contract renewal sets aside about $70,000 a year for a contract physician. Its line for mental health tele-psychiatry shows no money budgeted, and the document does not show whether that service is funded elsewhere.

Federal ties

Because the jail houses BIA inmates, its contract must comply with the federal Service Contract Act. The death of a BIA detainee may also trigger federal reporting requirements and scrutiny. It is not yet known whether the inmate's tribe has been notified or whether state or federal authorities are investigating.

A costly precedent

The deaths recall the case of Natasha Bloos, whose death led to a $2.4 million settlement this year. Bloos had been moved from the Lincoln County jail to the state women's prison near Grants after earlier suicide attempts. A judge had ordered the move, finding the Lincoln County facility could not give her the medical care or supervision she needed. She died by suicide at the prison about two weeks later. The settlement benefits her three minor children.

Lincoln County commissioners will soon decide whether to renew CSG's contract. This is a developing story, and AlamogordoTownNews.org will update it as officials respond.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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