Bent County Jail

You can support your loved ones at Bent Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 719-456-0796.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Bent Co Jail is a detention center located at 11100 CR GG.5 Las Animas, CO which is operated locally by the Bent County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Bent County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Las Animas Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Colorado here.

The Jail Division of Bent County is structured with a leadership team consisting of a Lieutenant, two Sergeants, two Corporals, and ten Deputy Sheriffs. This division is responsible for the operations of the Bent County Jail, inmate transportation services, and courthouse security.

The Bent County Jail serves primarily as a holding facility for inmates from the Bent County Sheriff’s Office, Otero County Sheriff’s Office, the La Junta Police Department, the Colorado Department of Corrections, and the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, it acts as a backup holding facility for Cheyenne and Pueblo Counties. The facility was initially built between 1999 and 2000 to replace the 1902 jail located adjacent to the Bent County Courthouse. Originally designed with a capacity of 46 inmates, the jail underwent an expansion in 2020, increasing its bed capacity to 94.

The facility is staffed by one Lieutenant, two Sergeants, and 15 Deputy Sheriffs. The Jail Division also oversees the security of the Bent County Courthouse, ensuring a safe environment for all proceedings. The Jail Division maintains a fleet that includes one large-capacity transport vehicle, one medium-capacity transport vehicle, two single-transport vehicles, and one court security vehicle, enabling efficient inmate transportation and courthouse security operations. Additionally, the Bent County Dispatch Center is housed within the jail facility. This center provides master control services for the facility, coordinating operations and ensuring the smooth functioning of jail activities.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.