Funds Allocated for Detention Officers at Otero County Jail: a Mothers Thoughts by Jena Matise

I recently came across a story on KRQE news about the New Mexico Department of Finance and administration allocating $24.8 million to fund new corrections officers for 22 out of 33 County Jails and Prison facilities in New Mexico

While, I agree that, yes, we absolutely need more corrections officers, and this is great opportunity to get much needed help in our FAILING county jail and prison system.

I believe this topic definitely needs more attention, specifically for those facilities on our Southern border.

With the ongoing situation at our border, counties like ours are in need of an increased number of corrections officers and jail staff. As it stands now, Otero County Detention Center, as last report, had a 32 % vacancy rate for detention center employees, but only will receive enough funds to hire 4 new corrections officers.This still leaves an incredible shortage of corrections officers. 

I have questions...so many questions!
How was it determined what facilities get what funds?

Did those in our state government take into consideration crime rates in surrounding community of said county jail, location of the county jail/facility, or periods of unrest in the specific jail that receives funds?

These are all questions that immediately occurred to me, and when I stop and think about all the chaos and unrest that have occured in Otero County Detention Center since 2017, it makes my heart hurt

Not only for those inmates in the facilities, but for their families, and the employees and their families, thus leading me to care about the whole community that is beside the jail, our community, and lets not forget out wonderful military community on the other other side of the detention center.

Otero County jail and many others in our state need help, and the allocation of these funds prove that the state is also concerned of the problems our county jails and prison systems face, but more help is still needed.

The community can help by considering a career path in corrections

The lack of sufficient staff at Otero County Dention Center continues to pose a danger to those inside the detention center and the surrounding community

Otero County Detention Center needs those who are able-bodied, qualified and honest corrections officers -- officers who can not be intimidated or swayed.

Please consider a career in this field.

NOTE: Jena Matise is a guest commentator. She is a mother, activist and an aspiring writer. Mrs. Matise is writing a memoir in memory of the loss of her son and her journey through grief to activism.