El Paso County CO Detention Facility

You can support your loved ones at El Paso Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 719-390-2000.

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 El Paso Co Jail is a detention center located at 2739 E Las Vegas St Colorado Springs, CO which is operated locally by the El Paso 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. El Paso County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Colorado Springs 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 Criminal Justice Center (CJC) in El Paso County houses individuals arrested on misdemeanor and felony charges from all law enforcement agencies within the county. The facility accommodates pre-trial detainees as well as those sentenced to the El Paso County Jail or the Department of Corrections, with an average length of stay of 27 days. Over half of CJC’s inmate population faces felony charges. Additionally, CJC serves as a contract holding facility for various state and federal agencies, including Colorado State Parole, Military Installations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the U.S. Marshal’s Office.

The Detention Bureau at CJC is organized into three key components: Security, Operations, and Compliance. The Security Division manages the daily housing and supervision of over 1,500 inmates and oversees detention-related projects. The Operations Division includes the Intake and Inmate Services Section, responsible for inmate intake and release, classification, court file maintenance, and warrant processing, as well as the Court Services Section, which ensures safe transport and security of inmates to and from court. The Compliance Division encompasses the Standards and Compliance and Facility and Offender Management Sections, with an Accreditation Unit that maintains standards through the American Correctional Association (ACA) and the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare (NCCHC). Additionally, this division manages alternative sentencing programs, such as Work Release and the Reintegration and Recovery Program.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

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.

Inmate programs at CJC offer a broad range of educational, religious, and therapeutic opportunities designed to support personal growth and rehabilitation. Programs are available to most inmates at no cost upon written request, and attendance is voluntary. Notable programs include Alcoholics Anonymous, Anger Management, G.E.D. Preparation, Music Therapy, Narcotics Anonymous, Yoga, and various religious services. Inmates can participate in a diverse range of religious programs including Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Pentecostal, Jehovah’s Witness, and more, with services available in English, Spanish, and Sign Language.

The facility relies heavily on the dedication of over 100 volunteers who provide their time and expertise to support these programs, along with a committed Chaplain’s Corps offering spiritual and emotional guidance. The Programs Section also supervises inmate mail, religious diets, law library attendance, library services, and compliance with court orders. CJC offers two law libraries for inmates representing themselves or considering civil actions, and a variety of books are available for reading, and donated by religious groups and the public, enhancing the educational and recreational resources for inmates.