LOCATION AND STRUCTURE
As 2009 was drawing to a close, construction was being completed on the new Los Alamos Police Department Detention Center. Inmates were transferred from the old jail to the new detention center on January 13, 2010.
The new detention center is a modern facility that was designed for the safety and well being of both inmates and detention officers. The movement and management of inmates takes place in a master control center area where detention officers conduct round the clock video, audio and visual monitoring of inmates and all jail activities through state of the art electronic security access systems. The master control center officers are also responsible for monitoring all of the internal and external security systems for the detention center, the police station, and the new court complex.
Three nutritious meals will be prepared daily in the new detention center, lowering meal cost by approximately 50% as compared to previous food service contract rates.
The Los Alamos Police Department Detention Center manages the intake, care, containment, transportation, and release of inmates. In 2009, a total of 505 people were booked into the detention center with charges varying from petty misdemeanors to violent felonies.
The detention center is staffed by 13 full time detentions officers. .
Inmates within the detention facility are able to participate in a variety of different inmate programs. These programs are conducted by volunteers from within the community. New programs and volunteers are welcome for consideration.
The Detention Facility currently has the following inmate programs:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Anger Management
- Jail-Based Drug Rehabilitation
- Christian Church Services
- Correspondence Bible Studies
- GED Programs and tutoring
Inmates in the detention facility are offered a limited amount of privileges as a method to promote good behavior during their incarceration. Inmates violating the rules of the detention facility may be subject to a loss of some or all of their privileges and may be subject to further disciplinary actions.
These privileges include…
- Watching T.V in the Dayroom
- Outdoor recreation with other inmates
- Ability to keep personal items in their cell
- Telephone usage for personal calls
- Commissary purchases
We encourage and welcome visits from family and friends of individuals incarcerated in the detention facility. Weekday visiting hours are on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Appointments have to be made by 5:00 pm on the day of the visit.
Weekend appointments need to be made by 5:00 pm on the Thursday preceding the weekend. Appointments may be made by calling the detention facility at 505-662-8235. Visitors will be logged in and out by a detention officer.
The following rules apply for visitors of inmates in the Detention Facility.
- All visitors must be 18 years of age or accomplished by a parent of legal guardian, this includes children visiting parents who are incarcerated.
- All visitors will be required to show some type of picture identification.
- Anyone who is intoxicated will not be allowed to visit.
- Inmates retain the right to refuse visits.
- Visiting hours may be cancelled at any time for appropriate reasons.
- Visitors are allowed to bring only pre-approved items to inmates.
- Detention officers may immediately end a visit if arguing or disruptive behavior occurs on the part of the inmate or visitor.
- Contact visits are not allowed unless ordered by the Courts.
- Any special visits will be arranged through the Detention Supervisor.
- Anyone who is on probation/parole will not be allowed to visit.
- Anyone who has been incarcerated at the facility within the past six months will not be allowed to visit.