Ready to end private prisons in New Mexico? Sign this letter NOW!
As we move into the final days of the New Mexico legislation, there is a lot of uncertainty about what will be accomplished. For the last six weeks, NMILC staff members have been active within POPP NM, supporting the HB 40, the Private Prisons Moratorium Act. This landmark bill is sponsored by Representatives Angelica Rubio (District 35), Karen Bash (District 68), Daymon Ely (District 23), Gail Chasey (District 18). Private profit driven prison contractors are inherently incentivized to maximize profits while minimizing costs. These contractors' primary duty is to their shareholders rather than to New Mexicans. New Mexico relies more heavily on private prisons than any other state in the US and ranks high on the number of people incarcerated per capita. Unfortunately, HB 40 is currently tabled and may or may not move forward this legislative session.
In response and in partnership with other members of the coalition, NMILC’s executive director Adriel Orozco wrote HB 352, also titled the Private Prisons Moratorium Act. This second bill is positioned to move through the House Appropriations and Finance Committee this week.
The future of these bills is uncertain but one thing is—private prisons do not belong in New Mexico. We encourage everyone to sign on to this letter to Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham, telling her that we do not want to have for profit prisons in New Mexico. It takes just a few minutes and is so important!
