Otero County Prison Facility (federal) COVID-19 Coronavirus Visitation Policy

Otero County Prison Facility (federal)

Address:
10 McGregor Range Road
Chaparral, NM 88081

Phone:

575-443-2945

New Visitation Policies in Otero County Prison Facility (federal) Due to COVID-19 Coronavirus

Because of concerns for the safety and wellness of both staff and inmates at the Otero County Prison Facility (federal) in Chaparral, New Mexico, contact visits of any type may be suspended. Even if they have visits, from time to time, face masks may be required.

Approved Non-contact visits with family, friends and the inmate’s lawyers may still be allowed when at-home or onsite video visitation is not available, however given that new guidelines are changing daily please check the visitation page or call 575-443-2945 for updates.

Video Visitation at Otero County Prison Facility (federal)

At-home and onsite video visitation guidelines for Otero County Prison Facility (federal), when this service is available, can be found by going to the visitation information page.

We highly recommend that you call 575-443-2945 first for any changes due to staff shortages or other unforeseen circumstances, including whether your inmate has become ill and is unable to be in the general population where video kiosks are available.

How Long Will These Changes Last?

Experts in the study of the COVID-19 are anticipating that spread of the virus will be a ongoing concern for Otero County, the state of New Mexico and the entire United States until well into 2024 and maybe even beyond. We are witnessing the virus becoming more contagious, but less deadly over time. Many people think that the 'more contagious, but less deadly' variants will infect so many people that a higher level of natural immunity for the majority of Americans will be the end result.

Will the Inmates in Otero County Prison Facility (federal) Be Safe from Getting Sick With COVID-19 Coronavirus?

Whether the inmates are safe from contracting the coronavirus depends entirely on two things:

  1. The Virus being introduced into the facility by a staff member or inmate who is unaware that they have it.
  2. How easily it spreads.

At this stage most people who get the coronavirus show very few symptoms beyond what you might experience with a bad cold or a mild case of the common flu. Newer variants are turning out to be less deadly than the common flu we experience every year.

Studies that have been done are showing that the hardest hit are those 60 years of age and older, those with pre-existing medical issues like diabetes, leukemia or obese individuals. Young men and women rarely become very ill, and when they do, seem to recover quickly.

Given the close proximity of inmates and staff to each other in this lockup, it is going to be very difficult to prevent the spread of COVID-19 once it is introduced into the facility as the virus can spread via the microscopic vapor that we release every time we speak, cough or sneeze.

We will continuously update this page as the virus changes and new policies are instituted.

How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Otero County

To send a secure email message to an inmate in Otero County Prison Facility (federal) follow these steps:

  • Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
  • Select New Mexico, then select Otero County Prison Facility (federal), and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to spend, and input your payment method. The funds can also be used by the inmate to send a message back to you.
  • NOTE: All messages between you and your inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.

For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Otero County Prison Facility (federal) check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Otero County.


 

How Do Inmates in Otero County Prison Facility (federal) Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Otero County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

  • Otero County Prison Facility (federal) uses the services of IC Solutions.
  • Register with them online or call them at 888-506-8407
  • Agents are available 24 hours a day, and speak both English & Spanish.
  • Services for Otero County inmates and their families and friends include Collect Calling, PIN Debits, Purchasing Calling Cards, Voicemail & Prepaid calls.  In addition, IC Solutions provides secure messaging, sending photos, video phone calls and online deposits for inmates and their families in Otero County.
  • Although rates are subject to change, they generally run about $0.21 per minute for phone calls.

Note: All your calls with an inmate are recorded, stored and shared with law enforcement if the conversation deals with your case or any criminal activity. Anything communicated can be used against you or your inmate in court.

For all the information regarding phone calls with Otero County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

How to visit an inmate in Otero County New Mexico using Video Visitation or visiting an inmate at the jail

To visit an inmate in Otero County follow these steps:

  • In addition to visiting inmates at the jail, Otero County Prison Facility (federal) uses a video visitation service called IC Solutions.
  • In order to visit with your inmate online or at the Otero County Jail Video Kiosk, you must first register with IC Solutions.
  • Once you are logged into your existing IC Solutions account or have created a new account and are logged in, you must select Register for Video and enter Otero County Prison Facility (federal).
  • Then select your Otero County Inmate.
  • Then fund your account using either a Visa, Mastercard credit or debit card.
  • Lastly, schedule a visit.
  • The cost for a remote video visit ranges from $7-10 for 20-25 minute visit. Rates are subject to change.

For full instructions on all the benefits of using IC Solutions to visit a Otero County inmate, visiting an inmate at the jail itself, rates, policies, rules, dress codes, bringing children, attorney and clergy visits and more, go to our official Visit Inmate Page.