Mesa County CO Detention Facility

You can support your loved ones at Mesa Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 970-244-3536.

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 Mesa Co Jail is a detention center located at 215 Rice St Grand Junction, CO which is operated locally by the Mesa 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. Mesa County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Grand Junction 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 Mesa County Detention Facility currently has 553 beds, supplemented by additional temporary bed space in the booking area. The facility houses male and female inmates separately, and different classifications of inmates are also housed apart to maintain safety and order. Originally designed to accommodate 392 inmates, the facility has undergone remodeling and adjustments to address the expanding jail population. However, the facility's physical footprint has remained unchanged despite the increase in bed capacity.

Approximately 80% of the inmates at the Mesa County Detention Facility are pre-trial detainees, meaning they are awaiting trial and are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The facility aims to maintain a target population of fewer than 442 inmates, or less than 80% of its total capacity. Staying within this target allows the facility to more effectively manage the diverse classifications of inmates, ensuring that individuals such as females, co-defendants, and those known to be violent are housed appropriately for their safety and security. When the population exceeds 80% of available bed space, it becomes increasingly challenging to manage these classifications effectively.

Special management inmates, who pose a heightened risk to themselves or others, require increased supervision and frequent interaction with staff. The facility follows Policy 505, which outlines the guidelines and procedures for interacting with these inmates to maintain a safe, secure, and humane environment.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office has a long history dating back to 1883, with the first jail being a small, hewn-log building located between Main Street and Colorado Avenue. The first county jail was later constructed on White Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets. Remnants of the original jail, such as the bars from one of the cells, can still be seen in the lobby of the current Mesa County Detention Facility.

Inmates at the facility may participate in work programs, including roles in the kitchen, laundry, floor crew, and road crew. The road crew consists only of sentenced inmates, who can earn a flagger certification for future employment. These inmate workers can earn reduced time off their sentences, known as "good time," and gain valuable job skills through on-the-job training that can be beneficial upon their release.

Inmate food service is managed by Trinity Services Group, which contracts with the facility to meet the dietary needs of all inmates. Meal plans are designed and approved by a registered dietitian, ensuring that they cater to inmates' nutritional requirements, including those with special dietary needs due to medical conditions or religious beliefs. Trinity Services Group provides full-time kitchen staff to supervise inmate crews responsible for meal preparation according to the daily meal plan.

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.