Valencia County Updates Detention Center Page on Inmate Information Release

Valencia County updated the public-facing Detainee Information page for its Adult Detention Center, spelling out precisely what staff may tell family members, friends, and the general public about people held at the facility — and drawing firm lines around what will never be shared.

The page states that any information specific to a detainee's housing assignment, classification, mental health, or medical status "is not a matter of public record and will not be disclosed to the public, no exceptions." The blanket prohibition applies regardless of who is asking.

What staff are permitted to disclose is introduced on the page but the enumerated list was not published in full in the version reviewed. The county frames the page as a resource "to aide in answering basic questions regarding those incarcerated at the facility," while noting it does not reflect all policies and procedures governing the facility's operation.

For those trying to locate someone in custody, the county offers three no-cost options. The online inmate lookup, accessible around the clock every day of the week, provides real-time but limited public information about current inmates. Telephone inquiries are restricted to confirming custody status and providing general details about visitation hours; obtaining anything beyond that requires submitting a formal records request to the detention facility's records custodian. In-person inquiries are also possible during the detention center's regular business hours.

Inmate records in Valencia County fall under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, Section 14-2-1, which holds that "every person has a right to inspect public records of this state." That right, however, comes with carved-out exceptions. State law under NMSA Section 14-2-1(A)(4) shields law enforcement records that would reveal confidential sources, investigative methods, or the identities of individuals accused but not charged. Medical information, Social Security numbers, and certain personal identifying information are further protected under federal and state privacy laws.

Records that are releasable are not static. The detention center continuously updates inmate records throughout a person's incarceration to reflect housing changes, disciplinary actions, and program participation. When someone is released, the record is closed with discharge information and retained on file in accordance with state records retention requirements.

The updated page also lays out a clear behavioral policy for anyone visiting or contacting the facility. Abusive language aimed at provoking conflict with other visitors or with detention center staff will result in immediate denial of entry and a formal Notice of Trespass, after which the individual cannot return to facility grounds without direct authorization from the Warden. The policy cites New Mexico State Statute 30-14-1.1, under which remaining on another's property after being asked to leave constitutes a misdemeanor.