Life Inside the CCA Owned New Mexico Women’s Prison
Here is a very well done report about the women’s prison in New Mexico. This report briefly covers the dog rescue and training program, Heeling Hearts. I am one of the original volunteers who helped coordinate and set up this program. I was unemployed during that time, which was back in 2007, therefore I was able to volunteer quite a bit of time then. My dear friend, Lyn, is still in charge of and running the program, so I get keep up with her about what is going on with the dogs and the women in the program.
I do not want to get too political as this post is about the women by showing you a very VERY small glimpse into what their lives are like behind bars. But I will say that in being a CCA owned facility, they get very little rehabilitation. CCA loves when inmates return. More profit.
Life Inside The NM Women’s Prison
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Note that 90% of the women in NMWCF are because of drug related crimes. Obviously what we are doing to help addicts is not working. Additionally two-thirds of the women in this facility have children.
A much better solution would be a lock-down treatment center which is entirely devoted to education and parenting. So many of these women have no idea how to raise children simply because they themselves were not raised in a proper environment. This program would allow the younger children of the sentenced mother to reside together inside the treatment center. There, the mother can both attend intensive drug rehabilitation programs as well as parenting classes. Also very important would be to teach these women basic skills most of us take for granted. For example, filling out a job application. How to write a check, or even open a checking account for that matter. Even more importantly… how to read. You would be amazed at the number of women I have met locked up here who cannot read – or ready very poorly.
Lock ’em up and throw away the key is not the answer. And as long as private prisons continue to function, then this cycle of addiction, abuse, and incarceration will never change and only continue to grow. Just because you cannot see it does not mean it doesn’t exist.
For more info on the Heeling Heart program, please check out my posting. My two wonderful dogs came through this program.
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as usual Michelle, you are about a just cause. very. continue…
Thanks!
I’ve heard of a similar program here in Colorado. Two actually. One with dogs and one with horses.
I’ve no idea how to break the eternal cycle of parents who don’t know how to parent raising kids who don’t know how to parent.
It’s sad, very sad. They’re all victims.
My girlfriend was there for some time and during her stay she encountered a lot of medical issues that were never properly addressed by the facility. Even the local doctors refused to offer more than just a simple diagnosis. Rehabilitation is very low and what programs they do offer gives very little insight to what it would take for them to enter society again. Successfully. There is so much that we have gone through while she was there but to touch on every topic would require a book. I am just glad she is home with me. I love her and there is nothing that will ever change that.
That is wonderful you are so understanding and stood by her side. Prison is not an easy experience for anyone. Kudos to you! And her for making it through.
many are convicticted on the premise of “Actus Reaus” but not Mens Rea”…90 per cent on drug related crimes…Really..What a waste of resources. Does this really pay their debt to society?
No. Especially when CCA doesn’t give a rat’s ass and hopes they come back because that is just more profit in their pockets.
my daughter has been in CCA for almost 3 years,she has been treated like an animal,i ,her mom and her daughter had a visitiation taken away from us. till this day i have not received a response why!!! my granddaughter needs to see her mom,she is so depressed. I talked to warden to no avail.My daughter has three kids. and we can’t see her. it seems theyre being punished also. they had a shake down yesterday for MRSA. my daughter thinks something wrong with her body, kinda like a bad rash and infection all over her face,plus a dropped uterus. she has put in for medical and still has not been seen..30 months. this is riduculous. i dont know what to do.Her kids need to see her!!
my life experience with healing hearts changed my life i learned patience and to take the time to care for my self and others needs.training the dogs was an awsome thing to do with my time in cca i feel and honestly believe it was a life changing for me thank you lyn and susan.