Pecos Volunteer Firemen put out several grass fires set by inmates who broke out the narrow windows in the wings and threw out flaming sticks. Some of the water aimed at the fires may have drenched inmates. An unidentified firemen suggested hosing down all the inmates and letting them spend the night in the recreation yard, as temperatures dropped to freezing and a breeze added to the misery. Deputy U.S. Marshal Billy K. Johnson said that officials from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons was in Pecos Wednesday for a routine visit and were able to offer advice to prison warden Joe Trujillo as the riot wore on into the night. There may be problems, but everybody always works good together in something like this.
Every person goes through an orientation process.
All of the staff do become certified for county jails. The 528-bed facility opened in May, 1986. The LEC began operations under the authority of the Reeves County Sheriff's Department. Reeves County Commissioners then took over operation with Gomez's blessing and re-hired Trujillo. A total of 14 prisoners escaped from the facility in the first 26 months of operation.