By Milan Simonich
The Ruidoso News
SANTA FE — Way back in 1865, the New Mexico territory approved a law requiring county commissioners to inspect jails.
The statute is still on the books, and it is strangling government efficiency, freshman state Rep. Conrad James said Tuesday.
Bernalillo County has more than 1,000 cells, and jail inspections by county commissioners are time-consuming and create safety concerns, said Tom Swisstack, a deputy county manager.
Swisstack appeared as a witness for James, R-Albuquerque, who proposed to simply eliminate the law because of the difficulties it causes in larger counties.
Members of the Health and Government Affairs Committee said James had raised a valid concern, but they found his bill inadequate.
Democratic Rep. Mimi Stewart, the committee chairwoman, said someone has to inspect jails, though it need not be elected officials with myriad other responsibilities. She suggested that James rework the bill so it provides for an alternate means of inspections.
He agreed, saying the law is antiquated and needs to be fixed.
The bill is HB 426.
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