The state of medical care for New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) inmates is horrendous at best, horrifying at times. The prison medical grievance system is supposed to protect inmates who are not getting constitutionally adequate medical care. It does no such thing. In fact, the medical grievance system itself encourages and perpetuates grossly deficient medical…
New Mexico Injury Attorney Blog
Steps in Suing New Mexico Prisons and Jails
There are a number of very important steps that must be completed prior to filing suit against a New Mexico prison or jail. Failure to complete these steps can prevent a prisoner from ever obtaining justice for wrongs committed by the prison, jail or their respective private contractors. To make things worse, prisons and jails,…
Centurion Out as Medical Provider for Metropolitan Detention Center
In late April 2021, the Associated Press reported that Centurion Healthcare of New Mexico has prematurely terminated its contract with the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC). Centurion signed a 4-year contract with MDC that was to run until December 31, 2022. It is not clear why Centurion decided to end the contract early, but…
Effective Date, Acts and Omissions Under New Mexico Civil Rights Act
The effective date for the New Mexico Civil Rights Act is Jul 1, 2021. More important for the rights of New Mexico’s prisoners and inmates is the prospective application of the New Mexico Civil Rights Act. Section 12 of the Act states: SECTION 12. PROSPECTIVE APPLICATION.–Claims arising solely from acts or omissions that occurred prior…
Summary of New Mexico Civil Rights Act
House Bill 4, the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, was signed into law last week on April 7, 2021. The importance of its passage to the rights of New Mexico prison and jail inmates cannot be overstated. The Act does not go into effect until July 1, 2021. After July 1, it is a whole…
NMCD Paper Medical Records Serve Goal of Destruction of Evidence
Spoliation of Evidence Spoliation is the technical term used by lawyers and judges for the concealment and/or destruction of evidence. Prisons are a black box when it comes to the evidence within its walls. Unlike a normal public institution, prisons are extremely secretive. This secrecy allows a wide range of atrocities against inmates with no…
Contact Governor on New Mexico Civil Rights Act
New Mexico Civil Rights Act Stalled on Governor’s Desk The New Mexico Civil Rights Act passed the New Mexico Senate on March 16, 2021. It has now been on Governor Lujan Grisham’s desk for 8 days yet to be signed. The question is why would there be any hesitation on the part of a DEMOCRATIC…
New Mexico Civil Rights Act Only First Step to Reform State’s Prisons
The New Mexico Civil Rights Act is headed to the Governor but passage is just one small step to New Mexico prison reform. We should start with the good news. The good news is that the New Mexico Civil Rights Act (House Bill 4) passed the State Senate with a few amendments, the House approved…
New Mexico Inmate COVID 19 Lawsuits
Collins & Collins, P.C. have taken hundreds of calls from inmates and their families relating to the Coronavirus over the past year. Unfortunately, we can’t do much more than provide some general guidance and to protect deadlines and evidence. General Guidance on COVID-19 Neglect in New Mexico Prisons To that end, we provide guidance on…
New Mexico Civil Rights Bill: Letter to Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee
Below is the slightly modified text of an email I delivered today to all Senate members of the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee. The letter was written in anticipation of the hearing in the committee tomorrow on HB 4, The New Mexico Civil Rights Act. HB 4 will provide for civil rights claims and…