Construction is underway on a new $170 million detention facility in Eddy County, marking a significant investment in modernizing correctional infrastructure and addressing long-term capacity needs in southeastern New Mexico.
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County officials gathered April 21 to break ground on the new Eddy County Detention Center, a 142,000-square-foot complex that will replace the county’s existing downtown jail in Carlsbad. The current facility, built in 1993, was originally designed to house approximately 70 inmates and has since become outdated and insufficient for current operational demands.
The new detention center will initially accommodate 400 beds, with plans to expand by an additional 50,000 square feet to reach a total capacity of 800 beds. The project is expected to take approximately three years to complete and is being constructed on a site located south of downtown Carlsbad, near the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office.
The facility is being designed by Studio Southwest Architects and constructed by Bradbury Stamm Construction, both of which are playing key roles in delivering a modern correctional environment.
According to project officials, the design incorporates prefabricated housing modules and dormitory-style layouts intended to improve visibility and interaction within the facility. Shared day rooms will promote activity while minimizing isolated spaces, aligning with contemporary correctional design principles focused on safety and efficiency.
In addition to inmate housing, the complex will include operational and administrative areas such as intake processing, training rooms and office space. The facility is also being designed to support specialized programs, including alternative sentencing units and driving while impaired (DWI) initiatives.
County leaders emphasized that the project reflects both population growth and the need to replace an aging facility that no longer meets modern standards. Commissioner James “Bo” Bowen highlighted the shift in community needs over the past three decades.
“A lot has changed since 1993. We’re not the same place that we were in 1993. The jail needs to be out of the center of town,” Bowen said, according to reporting from the Artesia Daily Press.
The relocation of the detention center away from downtown Carlsbad is expected to improve operational efficiency while freeing up space in the city center for other development opportunities.
County Commissioner Ernie Carlson noted that discussions about building a new facility have been ongoing for years, underscoring the urgency of the project as the region continues to grow. Officials say the investment represents one of the largest construction efforts currently underway in New Mexico.
Funding for the project will come from a combination of county resources and federal dollars, reflecting a broader trend of public investment in infrastructure upgrades across the corrections sector.
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Project stakeholders also pointed to the long planning timeline leading up to construction. Eddy County Manager Mike Gallagher described the groundbreaking as a major milestone.
“This is milestone event that has been years in the making,” said Eddy County Manager Mike Gallagher, according to an article from the Artesia Daily Press. “There is great support for this day.”
Additional firms contributing to the project include Dewberry, Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers, Consensus Planning and Ricca Design Studios, supporting engineering, planning and design efforts.
As construction progresses, the new detention center is expected to provide a more scalable, secure and efficient facility that aligns with evolving correctional standards while supporting the needs of Eddy County’s growing population.
Originally reported by Correctional News.
