| Until
the latter part of 1984, the detention facility occupied the
second and third floors of the county courthouse, and was a
division of the Lea County Sheriff’s Department.
On December 8, 1984,
the old jail was closed in the courthouse and the current
three-story facility was opened across the street at its current
location. Also, at that time, the overall administration and
supervision of the new facility were relinquished by the Sheriff’s
Department and transferred to the Lea County Board of
Commissioners.
Warden Jann Gartman,
performs the day-to-day operation and administration of the jail
facility.
The adult detention
facility houses three type of inmates; those awaiting trial,
those who have been sentenced and those who are being housed for
another agency (such as federal inmates). Our average daily
population is 190. Approximately 10% of our adult inmates are
females.
We provide a “welcome
to jail” pack that includes an inmate uniform, shoes, towel,
property bag, sheets and blanket, mattress, cup, spork and rules
and regulations booklet. Upon admission they also get a hygiene
pack that includes shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.
Inmates receive a
medical screening upon their admission to jail. Additional
medical services are available upon request at a cost of $10 for
a doctor or dentist visit, $5 for nursing services, pharmacy
services or lab work or x-rays. Transport to a private physician
is $30 per detention officer, two officer minimum.
Telephones are
located in the holding area as well as the housing area. Inmates
are allowed to make as many collect phone calls as they wish
from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Incoming calls are prohibited.
Postal services are
available to inmates. They may send out as many letters as they
have funds to mail. Mail to the Public Defenders office does not
require postage as they pick up correspondence Monday through
Friday. Inmates may not receive any package larger than a 9 X 12
inch business envelope due to storage limitations. If the inmate
can not afford postage or writing materials, the post officer
will explain how to obtain the indigent package which includes
those products. Incoming and outgoing mail must have full names
and addresses (no nicknames). Drawings are not allowed on the
front of the envelope.
Various programs are
available to the inmates, based on classification. Programs are
subject to change depending on availability of volunteers.
Alcoholics Anonymous, GED, recreation, pleasure and law library,
bible study and life skills are offered.
Family and friends
can deposit money in to the inmates bank accounts. The only
deposits accepted will be money orders, cashiers checks or U.S.
Government checks. Deposits will be accepted from 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m., 7 days per week. Inmates have a limit of two
transactions per week, one of which may be commissary.
Commissary
privileges are available weekly. Items such as health and beauty
items, beverages, postage, miscellaneous products, some
clothing, candy, chips and snacks are available. Additional
items are available for trustees.
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The Lea County
Detention
Facility is a 236– bed county
jail facility which is located at
215 East Central Avenue,
Lovington, New Mexico 88260.
It houses both adult and
juvenile offenders of
both genders.
Average daily population is 190.
10% of our adult inmates are
females.
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