Bernalillo County Commissioners have unanimously approved an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the city of Albuquerque to continue joint operations at the Medical and Mental Health Triage Facility, Prisoner Transport Unit and Resource Reentry Center at 401 Roma NW.
This partnership builds on the collaboration established in 2018 in response to the McClendon litigation requirements, reinforcing the commitment of both entities to provide essential services to individuals in the justice system.
Key components of the joint operations include:
- Medical and Mental Health Screening Triage Services: Arrestees will undergo health assessments by the county’s medical provider, the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH), prior to being transported to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC). If an arrestee is not medically or psychologically cleared, the arresting agency will transport them to appropriate medical facilities.
- Prisoner Transport Unit (PTU) Services: Managed by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD).
- Resource Reentry Center: Operated by the county’s Behavioral Health Division, the center provides essential resources for inmates upon release, including transition plans addressing immediate needs such as lodging, transportation, and behavioral health support.
- Temporary Lodging Vouchers: The City’s Health, Housing & Homelessness Department (HHH) will contribute $150,000 annually for temporary lodging vouchers, ensuring released inmates have a safe place to stay during their transition.
The IGA will maintain a five-year term, automatically renewing for an additional five years unless terminated with a 90-day written notice.