Commentary: Senator George Munoz (D-4-Cibola, McKinley and San Juan) and Senator Clemente Sanchez (D-30-Cibola, Socorro, McKinley and Valencia) are exploring options to address the unexpected announcement that the Cibola County Corrections Center in Milan will be closing on October 1. The facility is run by the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and employs 300 people.
“Senator Sanchez and I are exploring every option to help find employment for the 300 people who will be impacted by the sudden announcement that the Milan facility will be closed,” said Senator Munoz. “We are in discussions with Corrections Secretary Marcantel to identify vacancies at the New Mexico Western Correction Facility and other facilities in the state.”
Cibola County Corrections Center is a private facility that houses federal inmates with a capacity of 1,200 inmates. It is a minimum-security facility that started operations in 1993 and has the capacity to house state prisoners.
“Our first priority is to help those impacted with finding a job,” said Sen. Sanchez. “In addition to finding vacancies at other state facilities, Senator Munoz and I will be meeting with CCA and Secretary Marcantel to determine if state prisoners can be held at the Milan facility to save those jobs.”
Sen. Munoz and Sen. Sanchez will host a town hall after they have more in-depth conversations with Secretary Marcantel and representatives from CCA. Other state agencies that can assist, such as the Department of Workforce Solutions, will also be at the meeting. They expect to have options for the families impacted by the closure at the meeting. Details of the meeting will be announced at a later date.