Tablets for Inmates in Otero County New Mexico? A Mothers Thoughts by Jena Matise

As I write this I find myself struggling to articulate my thoughts on to paper. In general I am just a talker, not a writer.

As I struggle today, please remember, I am still learning how to navigate life as a grieving mother.

In the past 524, my life has absolutely unraveled. My son, David Shjan Tomsik died by suicide in Otero County, (New Mexico) Jail. My heart is forever shattered and here I am trying to pick up the pieces.

As I do, I am realizing I will never be the same woman I was…

524 days ago, I was a stay at home mom, I was literally living my dream, and now I am living in an every day nightmare! 

My daily activities were of the domestic variety, which included all the activities of taking care of a household, balancing a budget, cleaning and all that other stuff entailed in managing a household. Those duties also includes taking care of my elderly grandmother, who lives independently. So, I guess technically I am running 2 households and the respective budgets.

David Shjan died on my grandmothers 85th birthday, her Lil D is gone. My son is gone! And here I am still trying to pick up the pieces, and in this journey, I am finding the new me, now I am a warrior momma, accidental activist, an aspiring writer and still a grieving mother.

Through my journey, I have met some wonderful people. One in particular, Chris Edwards, he gave me my voice, and I thank you so very much sir. I promise, I will only use my voice for good. And though my voice had always been loud, for years I went unheard. Nobody cared that I was warning people, community leaders and authorities about major safety concerns in our community. Since 2010 I have been very vocal, and very loud, and the louder I am, I am finding that people have and are hearing me.

When I said my final goodbye to David Shjan, and held him for the last time I promised him I would find out the truth and what went so horribly wrong that now my son is dead!

My husband investigated his death thoroughly and I investigated the drug trafficking ring taking place in Otero County jail, that David Shjan had exposed back in 2022. Because we investigated these 2 horrifying events, I was able to keep my last promise to my son, and beyond that, I kept making noise and tried to continue his fight to keep drugs out of Otero County Jail.

One beautiful Saturday morning here in the Tularosa Basin a few weeks after David Shjan’s funerals, I had an opportunity to have coffee with a dear friend. Of course I jumped at the chance to scoop out a few moments to just chat. We talked about everything. Of course our children was the center of our conversation, and I stated how much I miss David Shjan, and weirdly enough, I miss the Securus calls (Inmate telecommunications).

My friend immediately informed me Securus is now NCIC, and inmates now had tablets

WAIT!! WHAT??
 
Who the heck would give inmates tablets when I just investigated a drug trafficking ring in our jail where a Corrections officer was allowing inmates to use his phone, and jail phones to organize drugs deliveries to the jail??? 

I thought my head was going to explode. This is nonsense.

I turned my frustration and anger into research and I found out everything I needed to know. I have to say, I am very impressed with the results of that research.

But now, I have one more question?

If tablets are given to inmates to keep drugs out of the jail and keep them accountable, who is keeping the Jail Administration and Corrections Officers accountable????

That answer is; Otero County commissioners Gerald Matherly District 1, Amy Barela District 2 and Vickie Marquardt District 3

Three weeks ago, I received a message that our County Commissioners voted and approved a $200,000 acquisition of a full body scanning machine and will be delivered to Otero County Jail in 1 month and 1 week.

Y’all, I couldn’t contain my excitement, I cant believe this is happening! I can honestly say, not only did I keep my last promise to my son, I was also loud enough to finish his fight to keep the drugs out! The fight is done, and on delivery, is won!

That is all the info I have for now. I have reached out to Commissioner Matherly to get more details, and hope to hear back from him, until then, 

Thank you, Commissioners to all 3 of you for hearing me. And now our jail will be drug free, and to the families with incarcerated loved ones, I hope this eases some your worries some.

Until next time,
- Jena Matise

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.