New Mexico Faces Rising Inmate Recidivism Rate at 40% in Latest Report

New Mexico’s inmate recidivism rate has risen to nearly 40%, according to a new legislative report, reversing years of gradual decline. This figure is notably higher than the national average of 27% and comes as lawmakers struggle to address the state’s persistent violent crime rates.

Senator Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas, expressed concern over the state’s recidivism trend during a Legislative Finance Committee meeting, stating, “We want them to be out. We want them to be constructive members of society.” The report identifies substance abuse as a key factor driving the cycle of re-incarceration, despite ongoing efforts to offer drug treatment and job training programs in New Mexico’s prisons.

The report highlights that former inmates convicted of drug-related offenses are more likely to reoffend and return to prison than those convicted of non-drug crimes. In addition, the state’s Corrections Department has yet to fully implement a new central data-tracking system, despite receiving $16 million in funding. As a result, legislative analysts are unable to compare data regarding inmates’ program completion rates and recidivism.

Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero expressed optimism that the new data system will be fully operational by early next year. She also noted that while the recidivism rate has risen from last year, it is still lower than five years ago, representing a reduction of 10% overall.

Recidivism in New Mexico has been a long-standing issue. In 2019, nearly 50% of released inmates returned to prison, but the rate had been steadily declining for four years before rising again this year. In an effort to combat recidivism, state prison officials have introduced programs such as paying inmates to perform tasks like landscaping, moving furniture, and assisting with state government projects. The State Forestry program also allows inmates to help fight wildfires.

Another initiative is a store in Santa Fe, which sells products made by incarcerated individuals once a month, offering inmates a productive outlet and skill-building opportunity.

However, funding for these programs has been inconsistent, as cost savings from vacant correction officer positions and reduced inmate populations have not been reinvested into recidivism-reducing efforts. Additionally, a shortage of behavioral health providers has hindered the state’s ability to offer sufficient mental health and substance abuse treatment.

With about one-third of New Mexico’s 5,800 incarcerated individuals imprisoned for drug or alcohol-related offenses, state lawmakers passed legislation in 2023 to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to all qualifying inmates by June 2026. MAT combines medication with therapy to treat addiction and substance use disorders. Furthermore, a federal court settlement mandates that incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder can continue taking buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, during their time in state custody.

The Corrections Department is seeking additional funding in the upcoming year to support these initiatives, and key lawmakers have expressed support for expanding treatment programs, particularly for opioid dependency. Representative Nathan Small, D-Las Cruces, the vice chairman of the Legislative Finance Committee, emphasized the importance of these programs in combating the growing opioid crisis.

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