Task forces and commissions appointed by the Governor or the Legislature are critical in developing important policy issues. If you are a citizen interested in the work of these task forces or have special expertise that you are willing to share with these task forces, contact NMWJP.
| Independent Prison Oversight Task Force - New Mexico has the highest percentage of prisoners in private facilities in the nation and there are no statutory provisions that control the operation of these facilities. The NM WJP is fighting to create an effective oversight entity with “golden key” access to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all woman incarcerated in New Mexico. |
| Gender Responsive Services for Girls Task Force - NMWJP participated on this taskforce and helped to create a gender responsive, strategic plan for girls in the juvenile justice system. The plan addresses the need for services to this population across the continuum of care, from prevention to aftercare and transitional programming. NM WJP Executive Director, Sheila Lewis, is the newly appointed chair of the Gender Equality Subcommittee of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, which will be responsible for implementing the recommendations of the Gender Responsive Services for Girls Task Force. |
| Prenatal Care for Pregnant Women with Substance Abuse Problems Task Force - The Senate Memorial 19 Taskforce was created by the New Mexico Legislature in 2009 to assess and improve access to substance abuse treatment and prenatal care for pregnant women with substance abuse problems. NM WJP served on that task force and will continue to serve on a new task force charged with implementing the recommendations. Click here to see an executive summary of the SM 19 task force recommendations. |
| Female Inmate Issues Task Force - NMWJP serves on this task force which has initiated the implementation of gender classification and reentry tools; worked toward parole violation reduction; reviewed the current controlled release pilot project; sought improvement to reentry procedures and processes; worked toward strengthening the relationship with the interagency behavioral health purchasing collaborative; explored various substance abuse treatments including medication-assisted therapies; explored alternatives to the use of solitary confinement for women; and investigated Medicaid enrollment for inmates' children. This task force will continue in 2011. |
| Drug Policy Task Force - In 2010, Senate Memorial 33 created the Drug Policy Task Force to evaluate New Mexico's current approach to drug abuse through the use of law enforcement, treatment, prevention and harm reduction and to develop strategies for effective change. The task force submitted an initial report which addressed current approaches to drug policy, the number and geography of people impacted, an assessment of services and needs, recommendations on various aspects of drug policy, including recommendations addressing the special needs of women and girls dealing with substance abuse disorders. In the coming year, the task force will submit its final recommendations including recommendations regarding the medical marijuana program and Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) for substance abuse disorders. |
|
|
