State to take over prison near Clayton
Change occurs amid Democrats’ criticism of private lockup system
SANTA FE — The state of New Mexico will take over operations of a privately run prison near Clayton in the coming months, though Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office indicated that logistical details are still being worked out.
Florida-based Geo Group, the company that runs the Northeast New Mexico Detention Facility, said Thursday that it’s decided to end its operating contract when it expires in August, citing troubles recruiting and retaining staffers at the rural prison, just a few miles from the state’s border with Texas.
“We appreciate our long-standing partnership with the New Mexico Department of Corrections and the town of Clayton, and we have agreed to a 90-day contract extension to maintain public safety and ensure a smooth operational transition for all parties, especially
our valued employees who are presently being notified of the change,” Geo Group said in a statement, adding that it would continue running prisons in Hobbs and Santa Rosa.
The Northeast New Mexico Detention Facility is a nearly 180,000-squarefoot prison just east of Clayton that opened in 2008 and houses mediumsecurity male inmates. Geo Group designed and built the prison, with the town of Clayton paying for the work.
The prison has a capacity for 625 inmates but has been housing between 500 and 530 inmates in recent months, due to staffing problems. As of June, Geo Group was advertising for at least 16 positions at the prison, including corrections officers.
New Mexico operates six prisons and contracts with private prison companies to run an additional five facilities, although those figures will change when the state assumes management of the Clayton prison.
Lujan Grisham spokesman Tripp Stelnicki told the Journal state officials are still negotiating with Clayton leaders over issues, including ownership of the prison property and an official management start date.
“We are most of the way there,” he said.
The state plans to host a rapid-hire event for current prison staffers on July 17 and July 18 at the state National Guard armory in Clayton, according to the Governor’s Office.
In a letter sent this week, Clayton Town Manager Ferron Lucero said the current agreement between Geo Group and Clayton ends Aug. 3 and requested the 90-day extension to allow for a smooth transition.
State Corrections Secretary-designate Alisha Tafoya Lucero also touted the need to minimize disruptions.
“All parties share an emphasis on the need to maintain employment in Clayton and ensure safe conditions for both facility employees and inmates,” said Tafoya Lucero, who was appointed to the job this month by Lujan Grisham after serving as interim secretary for two months.
Although the terms of the state takeover have not yet been completed, the discussion comes as Democrats both in New Mexico and nationally have ratcheted up criticism of privately run prisons, with some prominent state Democrats recently saying they would make charitable donations in the amounts they received as campaign contributions from Geo Group and another private prison company.
Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, did not receive campaign contributions from Geo Group during last year’s election cycle, according to a state campaign finance database.
Nora Meyers Sackett, a spokeswoman for the governor, said the Lujan Grisham administration takes accountability issues seriously when it comes to prison management.
“Direct state management, at this and other state-run correctional facilities, will lead to an environment where rehabilitation, public safety and community welfare are unquestioned priorities,” Sackett said.