Dona Ana Sheriff’s Office investigating possible misuse of inmate welfare funds

An investigation is underway by the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office into possible financial irregularities with the detention center’s inmate welfare funds. Those funds are generated from purchases made by inmates from the commissary. According to the Dona Ana County website, profits from that fund are only to be used for purchasing services and programs for inmates.

Four subpoenas were served last week to the county’s legal department. They’re requesting information on how inmate welfare funds here at the Dona Ana County Detention Center were spent.The subpoenas also request the case file on any internal affairs investigation that was completed by Kim Stewart about the misuse of the inmate welfare funds.They also request information about any possible missing gym equipment involving jail administrator Christopher Barela from November 2008 to April 2009.
Stewart was a former internal affairs investigator, who was awarded $1.3 million last month by a jury after she sued Dona Ana County over alleged retaliation by its management.

County Manager Julia Brown confirms an investigation regarding inmate welfare funds is underway.

“Obviously we want to be cooperative in the investigation and with law enforcement we just got these a few days ago and were in the process now and looking through records and files to see what we have which can be provided in response to the subpoenas,” Brown said.

Dona Ana Sheriff’s Office investigator Ken Roberts also confirms the subpoenas were served and an investigation is underway.