County's women inmates could land at former Lincoln Pines

• Opinions were mixed in the past over corrections use of the center

A youth offender rehabilitation camp closed in 2015 next to Fort Stanton may be reopened as an adjunct facility for women inmates at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Lincoln County commissioners Tuesday directed County Manager Nita Taylor to work with officials of LaSalle Corrections to determine the equipment and/or modifications needed, and their associated costs, if the former Lincoln Pines Youth Center was reopened. LaSalle earlier this year took over management of the county detention center in Carrizozo.

Taylor noted that commissioners previously discussed the potential use of the Lincoln Pines facility to house additional detainees currently at the detention center. Peter Barrington and Elizabeth Jeffries of New Mexico’s Facilities Management Division contacted Taylor to determine if the county still is interested in the property that has been vacant since the Children, Youth and Families Department closed the youth center after a sex scandal involving a staff member and offender, and when the department initiated a change in its approach for housing young offenders.

At the time, some residents of nearby subdivisions and supporters of the Fort Stanton Historic Site expressed support for the closure, contending that correctional uses were not compatible with the area. They advocated for the creation of a forestry training or educational facility. The center, under the name of Camp Sierra Blanca, was used in the past for juvenile and adult male offenders.

The state is seeking a permanent tenant, Taylor said.

LaSalle Corrections officials reconfirmed their interest in the site, she said. Following her recommendations, commissioners directed Taylor to work with LaSalle representative to help determine the type of communications, video and other specialized services that would be required, to enable county officials to determine the cost of meeting those requirements.

“Once determined, commissioners can make an informed decision whether to move forward with an agreement with the state, Taylor said.

Jeffries provided the county attorney with sample contracts and agreement for review that the facilities management division uses with other entities in the state, she said.

Morel said the contacts are lengthy at up to 20 pages, and he preferred the county first determine the cost to see if the plan is economically feasible.

When CYF withdrew, the department took all telecommunications and video equipment, “but I believe the wiring still is there,” Taylor said. “The first step is for LaSalle and the county to walk through so we can bring in our partners to determine the costs. That may change the commission’s mind whether qwe want to enter into an agreement or not.”

Commissioner Lynn Willard said the equipment removed was fairly new and Taylor should check to determine if it is sitting in a state warehouse somewhere and could be reinstalled. He also said the state was willing to rent a facility to the local community college for $1 a year and Taylor should advocate for a similar arrangement.

“Don’t think they have the upper hand here,” he said. “They need to get it utilized and we need to be firm with them and get the best deal possible, if we want it.”

Taylor and Morel said they thought the state will offer something “very economical” to get the county to take over the center.

“We’re still just talking about women (inmates),” Commissioner Dallas Draper clarified.

Taylor said the process may take more than a month to firm up and she may not bring the situation back up until after their October meeting.