Sandoval County has joined with 15 other New Mexico counties to show appreciation for corrections officers throughout the state by participating in a grassroots public awareness endeavor, New Mexico Corrections Officer Heroes Campaign.

The effort aims to educate and inform the public about the important role that correction officers hold within their facility, their community and public safety. The campaign is now active across multiple platforms including radio, television, billboard advertising and social media.

“We are very proud of the Sandoval County Detention Center and the corrections officers who serve there,” Sandoval County Manager Wayne Johnson said. “Our detention center staff works tirelessly to protect the detainees as well as the community at large. The center is a critical component of public safety, and we are supportive of this campaign as it brings attention to the importance of these officers and the work that they do.”

The Sandoval County Detention Center is approximately 50,000 square feet with the capacity to house 500 detainees. The detainee population averages 125. It recently has undergone multi-million dollar renovations and remodeling updates, including a new camera system, cell doors, body scanner, plumbing, air conditioning, paint and additional 8-foot barbed-wire fencing along the southern perimeter of the facility.

“Corrections officers have a challenging role in public safety, and that role is sometimes misunderstood by the public. These men and women are responsible for the 24/7 care of our detainees, and this care includes assuring inmate safety, assisting in rehabilitation efforts, mentoring and more,” Gilbert Armendariz, warden of Sandoval County Detention Center, said. “The New Mexico Corrections Officer Heroes Campaign addresses the scope of their work and it shows these officers as the compassionate professionals they are, striving daily to make things better. We are pleased to be part of this endeavor.”