NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration has allocated $24.8 million to hire more correctional officers in the state.
The money will be used to fund 189 new correctional officer positions at 22 facilities and the New Mexico Corrections Department.
“Correctional officer recruitment is essential for upholding safety within our facilities,” NMCD Cab. Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero said in a news release. “By investing in these positions, the state reinforces its commitment to public safety and our agency mission to strengthen New Mexico communities.”
Departments that will be able to get more officers are listed below:
EntityNumber of new officer positionsAcoma Adult Temporary Holding Facility 4Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center 23Bernalillo County Youth Services Center 10Bernalillo County Youth Services Center (Juvenile Detention Center) 10Colfax County – Vigil Maldonado Detention Center 4Curry County 7Eddy County Detention 10Grant County Detention Center 4Hobbs Detention Facility 3Luna County 10New Mexico Corrections Department 46Otero County Detention Center 4Quay County Detention Center 3Rio Arriba County Detention Center 4Roosevelt County Detention Center 3San Juan County Adult Detention Center 10San Miguel County Detention Center 5Sandoval County Detention Center 6Santa Fe County 7Sierra County 2Socorro County Detention Center4Taos Adult Detention Center 5Valencia County Detention Center5
According to the Department of Finance and Administration, the funding will help offset the cost of new correctional officer salaries for three years.