New Prisons Planned in Cochise County Amid Border Crime Surge

Bisbee, Ariz. – The Trump administration has prioritized border issues, prompting Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannell to emphasize the need for new prisons now more than ever.

He points out that the existing facilities are nearing 40 years old, significantly exceeding the typical 25-year lifespan for prisons. Sheriff Dannell describes them as outdated and poorly maintained.

Border-related crimes have increasingly troubled law enforcement, with approximately 4,000 arrests linked to these offenses.

Local residents Paul and Kim Hanson shared their personal encounters with these crimes. Paul noted, “We often see cars speeding past us, trying to evade the border patrol.”

Kim added, “It’s just unsafe. Really unsafe.” This sense of danger has led the Hansons to support the urgent construction of new prisons.

According to Dannell, building a new facility is crucial because the current prisons don’t meet modern construction codes or industry standards.

“To put things in perspective, our current prison was designed for 162 inmates. We had to double the capacity a while back to handle the increasing number of detainees,” Dannell explained. “And just looking at the numbers for border crimes, the need is clear.”

There’s reason for optimism, as voters in Cochise County approved a measure to fund a new prison through a half-cent tax in May 2023. This tax is set to continue for 25 years, initiating changes last January.

Dannell mentioned that six potential sites for the new prisons have been identified, and they are awaiting expert evaluations.

Kim shared some concerns about the location, saying, “We want to ensure it’s not too close to homes or schools. It’s a decent situation now, but I’m not sure where it can go.”

If all goes according to plan, the second phase of the project is slated to commence by May, with the prison expected to be operational by mid-2029.