SENATE MEMORIAL 63
51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014
INTRODUCED BY
Lisa A. Torraco
A MEMORIAL
RECOGNIZING THE TRAGEDY OF THE 1980 PRISON RIOT AT THE PENITENTIARY OF NEW MEXICO, THE INMATES WHOSE LIVES WERE LOST AND THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO WERE HELD HOSTAGE AND EXPRESSING THE SENATE'S COMMITMENT TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM THAT RESULTS IN GREATER PUBLIC SAFETY.
WHEREAS, from February 2 to February 4, 1980, the penitentiary of New Mexico was the site of what remains one of the most savage and deadly prison riots in this nation's history; and
WHEREAS, a combination of overcrowding, lack of programs, poor living conditions and unsatisfactory food led to the riot and the ensuing thirty-six-hour siege of the prison; and
WHEREAS, during those horrific hours, thirty-three inmates were killed and at least ninety were seriously injured by fellow inmates, and fourteen corrections officers were held hostage, assaulted or injured by rioting inmates; and
WHEREAS, in the three decades since the 1980 New Mexico prison riot, the corrections department, under the current leadership of Secretary of Corrections Gregg Marcantel, has worked to ensure that the combination of conditions that led to the riot is never created again and that inmates are provided with the proper balance of social control and support and given the best opportunity possible to successfully integrate into society, not re-offend and become contributing taxpayers rather than tax liabilities; and
WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes that a properly functioning corrections system is one that safely and humanely incarcerates those persons who must be separated from society and educates, trains and supports the overwhelming number of inmates who will return to society; and
WHEREAS, in recognition that inmates are people, that the state bears the ultimate responsibility for their safety while in custody and that the primary purpose of incarceration must be to rehabilitate rather than to punish, the names of the inmates who were killed in the 1980 riot are hereby recognized: Michael Briones, age twenty-two; Lawrence Cardon, age twenty-four; Nick Coca, age thirty; Richard Fierro, age twenty-six; James Foley, age nineteen; Donald Gossens, age twenty-three; Phillip Hernandez, age thirty; Valentino Jaramillo, age thirty-five; Kelly Johnson, age twenty-six; Steven Lucero, age twenty-five; Joe Madrid, age thirty-eight; Ramon Madrid, age forty; Archie Martinez, age twenty-five; Joseph Mirabal, age twenty-four; Ben Moreno, age twenty; Gilbert Moreno, age twenty-five; Thomas O'Meara, age twenty-five; Filiberto Ortega, age twenty-five; Frank Ortega, age twenty; Paulina Paul, age thirty-six; James Perrin, age thirty-four; Robert Quintela, age twenty-nine; Robert Rivera, age twenty-eight; Vincent Romero, age thirty-four; Herman Russell, age twenty-six; Juan Sanchez, age twenty-two; Frankie Sedillo, age thirty-one; Larry Smith, age thirty-one; Leo Tenorio, age twenty-five; Thomas Tenorio, age twenty-eight; Mario Urioste, age twenty-eight; Danny Waller, age twenty-six; and Russell Werner, age twenty-two; and
WHEREAS, in recognition that corrections officers are among the bravest, most dedicated public servants and face some of the most difficult working conditions, the names of the corrections officers who were taken hostage during the 1980 prison riot while in service to the people of New Mexico are hereby recognized: Captain Greg Roybal, Lieutenant Jose Anaya, Medical Technician Ross Maez and Corrections Officers Victor Gallegos, Elton Curry, Juan Bustos, Michael Hernandez, Ronnie Martinez, Michael Schmitt, Valentin Martinez, Antonio Vigil, Larry Mendoza, Edward Ortega and Ramon Gutierrez; and
WHEREAS, the corrections department's commitment to ensuring that the conditions that led to the riot never exist again is an integral part of the corrections department's philosophy, particularly under the leadership of Secretary Marcantel, and has manifested itself in everything from the continuing revitalization of the prison building, "Old Main", to support for meaningful inmate programming; and
WHEREAS, the legislature's commitment has manifested itself in support for broad and innovative reforms of the criminal justice system through the creation of the criminal justice reform subcommittee;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the tragedy of the 1980 prison riot at the penitentiary of New Mexico and the men who were killed, injured and taken hostage during the riot not be forgotten; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the corrections department's commitment to increasing public safety through lower recidivism rates and improved rehabilitation of inmates be commended; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the senate express its support for meaningful criminal justice reform that results in increased public safety and tax savings; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that continued awareness of the 1980 prison riot and the events leading up to it serve to strengthen the commitment of government leaders to advocate for the fundamental rights and dignity of all, including crime victims, correctional professionals and each inmate assigned to the responsibility of the state; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and the corrections department.
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