New Mexico Statutes Chapter 33. Correctional Institutions § 33-3-19. Prisoners in jails; work

It is the duty of the sheriffs, jail administrators as defined in Section 4-44-19 NMSA 1978 or independent contractors in charge of the jails of the state to compel the prisoners who are sentenced to imprisonment in the jails to work on public projects without pay or remuneration whatsoever. A prisoner may be compelled to work a maximum of eight hours in a twenty-four-hour period; provided that a work period is followed by a rest period of a minimum of eight hours. No prisoner shall be compelled to work on Sundays and legal holidays. This work may be considered for good time reduction as provided in Section 33-3-9 NMSA 1978.