Security Threat Intelligence Unit

The Security Threat Intelligence Unit (STIU) functions as an integral section of the Adult Prisons (APD) and Probation and Parole (PPD) Divisions. The STIU is responsible for the identification, monitoring, and management of prison and street gang members incarcerated in New Mexico’s prison system and who have been released in to the community on a parole or probationary status.

Additionally, the STIU provides input to the Classification Bureau and the Unit Management Teams in the decision-making process involving the custody and institutional assignments of prison and street gang members and those affected by the existence of such gang members whether in the community or in prison.

The STIU gathers intelligence to proactively prevent violence in the New Mexico Prison System and to prevent and deter the introduction of narcotics and dangerous contraband. Furthermore, at the community level STIU conducts similar operations as in the prison setting to quail any/further violence with closely tracking paroled or probationary offenders on the streets. The STIU serves as a liaison to nationwide corrections departments and to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The exchange of information and intelligence are daily aspects of the STIU staff duties.

The New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) and STIU have been faced with violent feuding between various security threat groups and street gang affiliations; as a result, statewide STIU assessments were conducted to identify gang leaders and gang members promoting the violent feuding within and outside of the prison settings. Immediate and calculated measures were implemented through the STIU Administrator’s office in coordination with STIU staff at the facility and community levels along with facility Wardens, PPD Region Managers and the Classification Bureau to diligently identify the challenges of deterring the violence and to appropriately address housing and tracking issues and assignments to manage the newly formed gang rivalries.  The measures proved effective resulting in the suppression and deterrence of continued gang related violence. The STIU currently manages and monitors approximately 350 incarcerated prison gang members and 1,850 incarcerated street gang members.

Highlights

• Coordinated numerous proactive New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) and New Mexico Gang and Terrorism Task Force funded multi-agency gang initiatives at every public facility complex and in communities identified as high gang activity areas.
• Provided gang intelligence and training to the NMCD Probation and Parole Division (PPD), law enforcement agencies, county jails, judicial entities, public schools, national level gang conferences, and provided expert testimony in high profile gang cases.
• The Adult Prisons and Probation and Parole Divisions STIU have worked collectively with law enforcement to successfully curb gang violence, and also worked in unison in fugitive apprehension efforts.
• We have standardized and certified all NMCD Canine teams in narcotics detection, fugitive apprehension, and canine patrols in accordance with the Master Trainer Curriculum.
• Spearheaded the implementation of a STIU within the PPD to facilitate standardization in management and tracking of gang members and gang intelligence within institutions and community supervision within PPD regions.