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Detainees' translated testimony and advocates tell commissioners of alleged medical neglect at Torrance County Detention Facility
Summary
Translated statements and legal advocates described detainee complaints of inadequate medical care, limited outdoor time, poor food and language barriers at the Torrance County Detention Facility; advocates urged the county to reexamine contracts and medical oversight.
Several witnesses and legal-service representatives read translated testimony from people held in the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF), alleging neglect and inadequate medical care. Ian Philabaum of Innovation Law Lab and a representative of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center relayed translated accounts of detainees who reported chronic stomach problems, missed medications and restricted access to outside time: "I am sick...I have a bacteria in my stomach that causes gastritis and ulcers...they are not giving me the medication that I have to take," one translated detainee said via Innovation Law Lab's Victor Romero‑Hernandez.
Advocates pressed the commission to scrutinize county contracted operators and to require adequate medical care for people in custody. Ian Philabaum said the county is legally bound to ensure adequate care when it contracts for detention services and asked commissioners to consider ending or conditioning contracts if the facility cannot meet medical standards. Commissioners heard the testimony and did not take immediate action on contracting during the meeting, but the record shows the matter is an active community concern and may prompt additional oversight requests.
