General Information

The Detention Operations Division is responsible for operating two sections; Intake and Inmate Services, as well as Court Services.

The mission of the Intake and Inmate Services Section is to ensure responsibilities are accomplished in accordance with accepted professional standards as prescribed in Colorado Revised Statue (C.R.S.) 17-26-103. In addition, the Section maintains required records and ensures accountability and security of inmate funds and property. During an inmate’s stay, all of the inmate’s records are maintained by this Section to include court updates, new charges, bond charges, work release fees, pre-trial services and any holds generated by other agencies.

The Inmate Services Unit is responsible for assigning a security classification to each inmate after being booked into the El Paso County Jail .  The jail  contains several types of wards or cells. The Classification Unit considers various factors and safety of the inmate when determining an inmate's classification and placement; however, an inmate's classification can be changed even after being admitted. The Classification Unit is also responsible for the placement of inmates into the various internal programs such as the Trusty Program, the Reintegration and Recovery Program and the Progressive and Regressive Housing Program.

Located in the Terry Harris Judicial Complex (courthouse), the Court Services Section is divided into two units; the Court Unit and the Transport Unit. The Court Unit is responsible for ensuring public safety, as well as inmate safety while escorting inmates to the many courtrooms and providing security therein. Juveniles are also transported and escorted from the Spring Creek Detention Center to the appropriate courts. Additionally, this Unit is responsible for making arrests and processing any individuals remanded into the custody of the Sheriff from the court. In a timely, safe and secure manner, the Transport Unit moves inmates between the El Paso County Jail and the courthouse. This Unit is additionally responsible for the transport of inmates throughout the State of Colorado to include the Department of Corrections and the many counties and cities in Colorado. Any local medical appointments or transports to the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo are also accomplished by this Unit.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Detention Bureau, Security Division is comprised of a group of approximatley 279 dedicated men and women who are proud of their ability to ensure inmates are housed in a safe, secure and constitutionally sound manner.

The men and women of the Security Division provide vital services to an approximate daily average jail population of over 1,600 inmates.  The inmates are housed in one of 25 wards, 5 Female and 20 Male, within the El Paso County Jail. Each ward houses between 27 and 94 inmates.  Deputies and Detention Specialists complete various security and welfare checks, housing inspections and remain diligent in their observations in order to ensure the safety and security of employees and inmates at the El Paso County Jail.  Both sworn and civilian employees are ultimately responsible for maintaining custody and control over the ever increasing inmate population.  While the deputies are managing their wards by walking around and communicating with inmates without any bars or barriers separating them, Security Technicians are monitoring and recording every action with the assistance of a highly sophisticated video surveillance system.  Security Technicians are very instrumental in routinely preventing, observing and reporting suspicious and dangerous activity. 

The intricacies, operation and atmosphere created within the El Paso County Jail have been compared to a small suburb within a major city.  All of the major components of physiological needs are represented.  Three healthy and balanced meals are provided daily to inmates, while honoring religious, dietary and medical needs.  All food preparation and laundry services are performed on site.  Inmates have access to some of the same resources as they are accustomed to outside of the facility.  Our on-site contracted medical provider is capable of performing most medical and dental procedures.  When inmates require more extensive or intricate care, they are transported to an appropriate medical facility.  They remain under the direct supervision of a deputy sheriff while they are out of the facility.     

The Sheriff’s Office is very supportive of the Visitation program and other programs that are provided to incarcerated inmates.  We understand and encourage inmates to maintain family ties during their periods of incarceration and take advantage of the many community and rehabilitative programs we offer.  Some of the programs offered are: Alcoholics Anonymous, yoga, anger management, basic math, Bible study, veteran services, Gateways through the Rockies and the Reintegration and Recovery Program; just to name a few.

The Detention Support Division is responsible for support services to all Detention Bureau units and residents.  The division is divided into four subunits: Jail Industry Management, Inmate Services, Jail Based Behavioral Health Services, and the Gateways Through the Rockies Inmate Work Program. The Detention Support Division is also responsible for jail vendor contract management.

The Jail Industry Management Team, led by a lieutenant, is responsible for the operation of inmate volunteer and trustee-driven services (food, laundry, and facility cleaning teams), building/facility maintenance coordination, logistics, special micro and macro projects, and safety.  Industry Management also liaises with our inmate communications (telephone and video visitation) and food services vendors. (Christopher Rogers – 390-2128)

The Inmate Services Team, also led by a lieutenant, is comprised of Inmate Programs and Mail, the Report Authority (Detention Training, Detention Investigations Team, Crime Analyst, Hearing Boards, and Jail K-9 Operations), and Inmate Classification.  Inmate Services is also responsible for jail medical vendor contract management. (Kevin Greier – 390-2102)

The Jail Based Behavioral Services Team, led by a lieutenant-level professional staff manager, offers substance abuse counseling, medication assisted therapy education and referrals, release planning, behavioral health counseling, and interim competency care to all incarcerated inmates. (Laura Ridenour – 390-2194)

The Gateways Through the Rockies Inmate Work Program, also led by a lieutenant level professional staff manager, provides effective educational and therapeutic programming, re-entry support, and employable work experiences though community-based business partnerships. Gateways is a non-taxpayer/self-supported inmate work program. (Becky Boerjan – 390-2129)