New Mexico Archives

Timeline

Uprising in Grants, New Mexico Amidst Fears of COVID-19 Outbreak

ByperilousMarch 20, 2020

March 20, 2020: Approximately 300 prisoners at the Northwestern New Mexico Correctional Center participated in an uprising following the death of a prisoner, The Gallup Independent reports. The prisoners damaged prison infrastructure and fought back against guards.

Timeline

Uprising at Sandoval County Detention Center, New Mexico

ByperilousJanuary 14, 2020

January 14, 2020: A short uprising took place when nine prisoners refused to go back to their cells after being ordered by a guard. The prisoners blockaded a door, threw soapy water onto the floor, covered their faces, and threw a microwave and other items at the door when

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Attack on Guards at Rio Arriba County Jail, New Mexico

ByperilousNovember 9, 2019

November 9, 2019: Four prisoners at the Rio Arriba County Jail have been charged with two counts of battery on a peace officer and one count of conspiracy to commit battery on a police officer each following a fight with guards.

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Attack on Guards at Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility

ByperilousJuly 17, 2019

July 17, 2019: According to prison authorities, five prisoners attacked two guards during a nurse visit at Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility. The attack continued until another guard fired “less lethal shotgun and pepper ball grenades.”

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Hunger Strike at Otero County Processing Center, New Mexico

ByperilousJuly 9, 2019

July 9, 2019-ongoing: Five detainees started a hunger strike to protest their detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. All of those participating are from Cuba. As of July 16, all of the men had not eaten a meal and some were refusing water.

Timeline

Hunger Strike at Western Women’s Correctional Facility, New Mexico

ByperilousJanuary 25, 2019

January 25, 2019 - (end date unknown): According to the group Millions for Prisoners New Mexico, prisoners housed at Western Women's Correctional Facility went on hunger strike to protest various issues with the prison's outsourced meal provider Trinity Food Services.

Timeline

2018 National Prison Strike

ByperilousAugust 21, 2018

August 21 - September 9, 2018 (exact dates vary based on location): Prisoners with Jailhouse Lawyers Speak and other organizations issued 10 national demands with a call to action for work stoppages, sit-down strikes, hunger strikes and boycotts of the commissary. Organizers

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2018 National Prison Strike: Lea County Correctional Facility, New Mexico

ByperilousAugust 8, 2018

August 9, 2018: Four housing units at the private GEO Group prison refuse orders and go on strike in response to harassment and abuse. Prisoners cite admin cutting visitation and guards harassing prisoners family members, including strip searching elders.

Timeline

Uprising at Otero County Detention Center, New Mexico

ByperilousApril 30, 2017

April 30, 2017: During a routine lockdown, at least nine prisoners at Otero County Jail refused to comply with orders. When guards came into their pod to subdue them they wrapped their fists with towels, got into "fighting stances", and attempted to attack the guards.

Timeline

Uprising at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico

ByperilousMay 21, 2016

May 21, 2016: Three prisoners attack guards while at least 20 prisoners in the rec yard cover surveillance cameras with sheets and block doors. Prisoners report this resulted from a protest of poor conditions at the jail.

Tag: New Mexico