Sandoval County Detention Center officers test body scanner settings in the booking area of the facility.(Sandoval County Photo)

 

The Sandoval County Detention Center now has a second body scanner in its facility which will only be used for detainees.

“This installation of a second body scanner demonstrates the county’s continuous effort to provide increased safety measures for those who visit, work or are detained in our facility. While one scanner is sufficient in a detention center this size, we appreciate the ability to perform our work at this higher level of operation,” Warden Gilbert V. Armendariz said.

According to the detention center communications office, the goal of this equipment is to detect and subsequently prevent contraband from coming into the facility.

The body scanners are in separate locations in the detention center. One is in the lobby and serves employees, vendors, and visitors.

The second is within the secured area of the facility and is dedicated to detainee use.

A $5 million renovation was completed in May 2022. This second body scanner is in addition to that renovation, which included a new camera system, cell doors, plumbing, air conditioning, paint, and additional eight-foot barbed-wire fencing along the southern perimeter of the facility.

“Public safety is a key responsibility of Sandoval County government and assuring that our detention center has equipment that exceeds general standards reflects our commitment to our residents, employees, and those within the detention center’s care,” said County Manager Wayne Johnson.