In a bid to address the surge in smuggling cases that has resulted in an increased inmate population at the Cochise County Jail in Arizona, seven members of the Arizona National Guard have been deployed to the region, with an additional two expected next week.

Cochise County Jail Commander, Kenneth Bradshaw, expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing the prolonged request for federal assistance. Governor Katie Hobbs responded to the plea by dispatching National Guard members to southern Arizona, providing crucial aid in managing the heightened border activity.

Request for Federal Aid

Bradshaw revealed that the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office had been seeking federal assistance for an extended period. The intervention by the state, through the deployment of National Guard members, was a welcomed relief for the overwhelmed law enforcement agencies grappling with the escalating number of smuggling cases.

Impact on Jail Population

The 2023 statistics indicate that 45% of the jail’s occupants were individuals involved in border-related crimes, predominantly smuggling. Bradshaw highlighted the substantial impact of the border issues on the jail’s operational capacity, emphasizing the continuous need for external support.

National Guard’s Role

The National Guard personnel are actively involved in administrative tasks, such as logging, answering phones, monitoring cameras, and operating doors. While direct interaction with inmates is limited, their contribution in handling administrative responsibilities allows the regular officers to focus on inmate-related duties. This redistribution of tasks aims to enhance overall safety for both inmates and staff in the challenging and fast-paced jail environment.

Extended Jail Stays

Bradshaw noted a significant change in the dynamics of jail stays, with individuals involved in border-related crimes now spending an average of six days in custody, a stark increase from the previous 24-hour average. This shift is attributed to the nature of border-related offenses, necessitating a longer duration for legal processes.

Statistics and Long-Term Implications

As of Tuesday, it was estimated that 120 out of 270 inmates were incarcerated for border-related crimes. The deployment of National Guard members has become essential to managing the increased workload, ensuring the jail functions effectively despite the challenges posed by the surge in smuggling cases.

Gratitude for Timely Support

While the duration of the National Guard members’ stay remains uncertain, Bradshaw expressed gratitude for the assistance, emphasizing the positive impact on the safety of both inmates and staff. The ongoing border issues demand sustained collaboration between federal and state entities to address the complex challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in the region.