FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amber Hamilton, County Manager
PORTALES, NM – The Roosevelt County Detention Center (RCDC) has completed three weekly rounds of COVID-19 testing after one detention officer tested on June 9, 2020. All three rounds yielded negative test results. All staff, contractors and detainees have been tested as per the NM Department of Health (NMDOH) requirements and the facility has been cleared from this exposure. Comprehensive testing of detainees and staff had been implemented prior to this incident as 100 percent of RCDC staff and approximately 75 percent of detainees voluntarily tested on May 19th and 20th, and all test results were negative.
“We’ve completed four rounds of COVID-19 testing within the facility in the past 45 days and all test results have been negative,” stated Detention Administrator Justin Porter. “I believe this supports the extraordinary efforts by the entire facility to maintain a safe, healthy environment. We’ve had procedures and protocols in place since the beginning of the year in preparation for this pandemic and our prevention measures are working.”
RCDC will continue to follow the NMDOH orders and guidelines for secure facilities. In person visitation is still prohibited at the facility. Detainees are allowed phone visitation and RCDC is enhancing this option by incorporating a new tablet system.
