Opening in December 2002, the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) is situated on a 155-acre parcel with approximately 12 acres currently under roof. Utilizing a podular design that allows for cost efficient future expansion of up to 5000 beds, MDC currently operates four housing units with eight pods each that allows for the housing of 2,236 inmates. Additionally, the facility offers a state of the art Health Services Unit (HSU) with an additional four pods housing inmates needing specialized services and care such as acute psychiatric care, step down psychiatric care, acute medical care and medical detoxification.

 

Designed to facilitate the nine principles of direct inmate supervision, MDC’s architecture places correctional staff directly in the housing units rather than in remote observation booths. The podular design of MDC’s facility allows the officer clear visual and physical access to all inmate areas with a turn of the head or by taking a few steps. The architectural design is further enhanced by the use of advanced technological concepts to allow for efficient and effective operations. Video systems allow for both remote visitation and arraignments to minimize the need for inmate movement and transportation, thus reducing the opportunity for the introduction of contraband into the facility.

 

 

With authorization for a total of 528 full-time equivalent positions (FTEs), 332 of which are Corrections Officers, MDC’s organizational structure is comprised of four divisional units including Operations, Administrative Services, Security and Fiscal. Although security is considered the primary mission of the department, it is equally important to MDC to ensure a solid foundation for this mission through quality operations and inmate services that are delivered in a fiscally responsible manner.

 

 

MDC’s security operations are supported by 116 FTEs performing essential functions in the areas of classification, maintenance, materials warehousing, booking, releasing, records and inmate programming. Additionally, two contract service providers, Corrections Medical Services and Canteen, employ a staff of 125 to provide direct inmate services including inmate health and mental healthcare, food services, laundry and commissary.

 

 

The Administrative Services division performs functions critical to the success of MDC today and in the future. Made up of units including civil litigation/internal affairs, ACA compliance, information services, safety, recruitment, training and organizational development this division is responsible for ensuring that MDC is able to deploy competent staff with the training, tools and technology to perform their functions in a fair and just manner.

 

 

As the largest division at MDC with 412 authorized FTEs, the Security division is tasked with performing the primary mission of the facility – maintaining the safety and security of the public, the staff and the inmates. Staffing the facility twenty-four hours a day, every team member must possess high level leadership skills and communication skills. Providing additional resources and support for the floor officer, MDC operates a number of specialty teams including the Security Threat Group (STG) that works to identify street and prison gang members and neutralize potential threats to staff and inmate security as well as the Corrections Emergency Response and Tactics Team (CERT) that is responsible for responding to disturbances on an individual or group level. The security function is further enhanced by the Community Custody Program (CCP) in which inmates with low level offenses are monitored in the community, thus reducing jail population.

 

 

With a budget of $56M, the Fiscal division has the significant responsibility of ensuring that all of the operations within MDC are carried out in a fiscally responsible and prudent manner that is respectful of the public trust. In addition to managing the overall budget and finances of the facility, this division is also responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, inmate cash accounting, staff payroll and on-site personnel functions.