New Mexico's two U.S. senators are asking the federal Bureau of Prisons to extend its contract with the operator of a private prison in Cibola County so workers have adequate time to find new jobs before the lockup closes.
Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich made their request in a letter to Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates.
They want the bureau to extend by six months its contract with Corrections Corporation of America and provide prison employees with help finding new employment.
The Obama administration announced last week that it's phasing out its use of some private prisons.
The senators say the closure of private prisons, particularly in rural areas, must be done in prudently. They say many of the CCA employees have strong ties to Cibola County.
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