Q&A: Roosevelt County manager talks jail issues, priorities

Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Amber Hamilton is the county manager for Roosevelt County.

Q: What is the jail situation these days? Are you short of detention officers? How many prisoners are you averaging?

A: Roosevelt County has been averaging 64 detainees (per day) in 2024.

There are 31 total positions at the facility with two vacant positions.

Interviews are ongoing as personnel are working to fill these two slots. 

The Detention Center continues to provide comprehensive, safe and secure services.

We’ve added an extensive treatment programming piece to benefit those we hold in custody and are beginning to see positive downward trends in recidivism and improved community re-entry.

Q: Tell me about the Medication Assisted Treatment program. How long has it been in place? How is it benefiting detainees?

A: MAT is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. 

Funding for the MAT program was secured in Fiscal Year 2020, and the program began incorporating detainees in August 2021.

Roosevelt County Detention Center’s MAT program participants receive individual and group counseling utilizing various cognitive behavioral therapies with a focus on substance use as a chronic condition. 

Participants learn and practice the 12 steps of recovery while some begin to chair Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous meetings within the facility.  

Other activities included in the program include Celebrate Recovery and Smart Recovery meetings, yoga and mindfulness activities, exercise and art activities, and life skills classes. 

Parenting, GED, and New Mexico Food Handler’s Certificates are also available opportunities for participants in the program. 

The program was recently approved to pilot a chicken program. Participants have begun to care for baby chicks as a way to teach responsibility and how to care for something other than oneself. 

Additionally, they grow individual plants and tend the facility garden, as these types of activities are designed to give participants a valuable life skill.

Individual discharge plans are created and appropriate referrals are made upon release, while birth certificates and replacement IDs are obtained as needed prior to release. 

Participants work with licensed mental health professionals and a certified peer support worker within the facility and have access to these persons upon release, to include ongoing counseling and hands-on assistance at re-entry.

Q: What solution or conclusion has come out of the agreement with the city and county regarding dispatch services?

A: The county and city have been working to establish an Intergovernmental Services Agreement for services provided by both entities.

The IGA includes the city services of dispatch, animal control specifically for the Sheriff’s Office, and fire/EMS services. The county provides detention services. This written agreement acknowledges these vital services and facilitates the continued partnership and public service for the community by both local governments.

In the past few weeks, the designated negotiators have made great strides to find an amicable compromise and consensus within both governing bodies and the final agreement hopefully will be considered by both bodies this month.

Q: What is your highest priority for 2024? Are there any big plans being discussed? What can the community expect from the county?

A: The county has focused on financial performance improvement measures since 2015 as the county faced some very serious challenges. In FY23 the financial reserves, bond ratings improvements and financial audit reports confirm the overall success of this initiative.

This is a combined effort of department heads and elected officials working together and our continued commitment of fiduciary responsibility for public monies.

The enhanced financial performances have afforded additional funding opportunities to the county for various projects such as facilities and fleet, road infrastructure, and rural fire with both state and federal grant awards.

Roosevelt County enhanced/rehabilitated over 50 miles of maintained roadways with grant funding in FY23. 

The administration team will continue to focus on completing projects and expending grant and federal funds in 2024. This will include several projects at the fairgrounds, courthouse, and road infrastructure.

The county developed a visual three-year strategic plan in spring 2023 to cast the vision for ongoing improvement and operations. This included six bold steps to be driven by personnel and elected officials. This strategic plan further complements the county’s existing five-year Road Improvement Plan and Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan.

These are each important guides for continued operational enhancements.

— Compiled by Landry Sena, the Staff of the News