Facility leaders at the Otero County Processing Center, in Chaparral, New Mexico, have recently been able to add a new opportunity for detainees. Through the efforts of both Immigration & Customs Enforcement officials and MTC operators, men who choose to and qualify are allowed to be a part of an outside work crew. This allows them to learn or polish up on skills to improve their employability and self-sufficiency. It also makes their time more enjoyable as they await their hearings.

Angel Arturo Mosqueda-Matos is one of the detainees who has taken advantage of this opportunity. He says,

“The program allows us to maintain good physical health. What’s more, we feel the satisfaction of being useful, of building, of improving, of contributing to the beauty and upkeep of the detention facility.”

Sergio Gomez, another program participant, praises Officer Vasquez who supervises the work crew. Mr. Gomez says,

“The officer in charge of us is a good person. When we are down he lifts us up. Thank you so much, Officer Vasquez, for all the smiles and laughter we share.”

The Otero County Processing Center is continually looking for ways to make the facility residents more comfortable and is pleased to be able to offer this program.