LAS CRUCES - Folks at the Doña Ana County jail are tired of hearing the negative coverage about their facility.
"This is not the rat hole it has been portrayed to be," County Spokesman Jess Williams said.
"It's definitely an attack on your pride, because we work really, really hard to assure that this facility is safe," Jail Director Christopher Barela said.
The story they're tired of hearing has to do with Stephen Slevin. He was locked up for DWI, and he waited two years to see a judge. The whole time, Slevin claims jail staff ignored his physical and mental health. As we reported, a jury awarded him 22-million dollars this week.
"Our motto is to work in good faith and good intentions every single day," Barela said. "So, it does bother me."
The county is fighting the court's decision.
During the tour, they showed us the medical wing, and they say services have changed since Slevin was locked up.
"The provision of mental health services is constantly improving," Williams said.
Inmate kiosks are part of the improvements. Inmates can logs in and communicate with medical staff and express any concerns to jail staff. We're told all inmates can ask to use it. When Slevin was in the jail, they didn't have the kiosks. They turned in hand-written requests.
"We work very hard to assure and maintain a very safe, clean, and humane facility," Barela said.
On the tour, Local 4 News saw jail guards constantly walking the grounds and talking to inmates. They even showed us the cell Slevin stayed in, reportedly unnoticed. While it is in solitary confinement, you could clearly see the inmate inside through large glass windows.
There's no word yet on when the county is due back in court for the appeal.
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