Colorado Correctional Center: A Comprehensive Guide to the State’s Prison System

When it comes to correctional facilities, Colorado has a complex system that houses a variety of different types of offenders. The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) is responsible for the operation of all correctional facilities in the state. In this article, we will provide an in-depth overview of the Colorado Correctional Center, including its history, current operations, and future plans.

Visiting Hours:

• Visitors must fill out a visitor’s application and have it approved before they can visit an inmate.
• Visiting hours are on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 3 pm.
• Visitors must arrive before 1:30 pm to sign in and be processed for visitation; late arrivals after 1:30 pm will not be admitted for visitation.

Contact Information:

• Physical Address: Colorado Correctional Center, 15445 South Golden Road, Golden, CO, 80401
• Telephone: (303) 273-1620
• Inmate Mailing Address: Inmate Name, ID Number, Colorado Correctional Center, P. O. Box 4020, Golden, CO, 80401

1. Overview of the Colorado Correctional Center

The Colorado Correctional Center is one of several prisons operated by the CDOC. It is located in the city of Cañon City, which is about 100 miles south of Denver. The prison houses a variety of different types of offenders, including those who are incarcerated for nonviolent offenses, as well as those who have committed more serious crimes.

The facility is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates. The Colorado Correctional Center is divided into several different housing units, each of which is designed to accommodate different types of offenders.

2. History of the Colorado Correctional Center

The Colorado Correctional Center was established in 1988, making it one of the newer prisons in the state. The facility was originally built to help ease overcrowding in other prisons throughout Colorado. Since its establishment, the Colorado Correctional Center has undergone several renovations and updates to ensure that it meets the evolving needs of the state’s correctional system.

3. Types of Offenders Housed at the Colorado Correctional Center

The Colorado Correctional Center houses a variety of different types of offenders, including those who have been convicted of nonviolent crimes, such as drug offenses, as well as those who have been convicted of more serious crimes, such as violent crimes like murder or assault.

In addition, the facility also houses inmates who are part of the state’s Youthful Offender System. This program is designed to provide young offenders with the resources they need to successfully reintegrate into society once they have completed their sentences.

4. Facilities and Amenities

The Colorado Correctional Center offers a wide range of facilities and amenities to help ensure that inmates are able to maintain a sense of normalcy and dignity while they are incarcerated. These amenities include:

• Dining facilities
• Exercise yards
• Education and vocational training programs
• Religious services
• Mental health and substance abuse counseling

In addition, the facility also offers a number of recreational activities, such as sports leagues and hobby groups.

5. Programs and Services Offered

The Colorado Correctional Center offers a variety of programs and services designed to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society once they have completed their sentences. These programs and services include:

• Education and vocational training programs
• Substance abuse and mental health counseling
• Employment assistance
• Parenting classes
• Restorative justice programs

6. Staffing and Employment Opportunities

The Colorado Correctional Center employs a large number of staff members to help ensure the safety and security of both staff and inmates. These staff members include correctional officers, healthcare professionals, and administrative personnel.

In addition, the facility also offers a number of employment opportunities for individuals who are interested in working within the correctional system. These positions include correctional officers, healthcare professionals, and administrative personnel. The CDOC offers competitive salaries and benefits packages, as well as opportunities for career advancement.

7. Mental and Physical Health Care Services

The Colorado Correctional Center provides a comprehensive range of mental and physical health care services to inmates. These services are designed to ensure that inmates receive the care they need to maintain their health and well-being while they are incarcerated.

The facility employs a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals, who are responsible for providing medical and mental health care services to inmates. In addition, the facility also provides a variety of wellness programs, such as exercise classes and healthy eating initiatives, to help inmates maintain their physical health.

8. Inmate Rights and Privileges

Inmates at the Colorado Correctional Center have a number of rights and privileges, which are designed to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect while they are incarcerated. These rights and privileges include:

• The right to receive medical and mental health care
• The right to receive education and vocational training
• The right to practice their religion
• The right to participate in recreational activities
• The right to communicate with family and friends

9. Visitation Policies

The Colorado Correctional Center has specific visitation policies in place to ensure the safety and security of both staff and inmates. Visitors are required to undergo a background check and are subject to search before entering the facility. In addition, visitors must adhere to a strict dress code and are not allowed to bring certain items, such as cell phones or cameras, into the facility.

10. Reentry Programs and Resources

The Colorado Correctional Center offers a variety of reentry programs and resources to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society once they have completed their sentences. These programs and resources include:

• Employment assistance
• Housing resources
• Substance abuse and mental health counseling
• Financial planning and budgeting classes
• Peer mentoring programs

11. Recidivism Rates and Success Stories

The Colorado Correctional Center has had success in reducing recidivism rates among inmates. According to data from the CDOC, the recidivism rate for inmates who were released from the Colorado Correctional Center in 2020 was 42%, which is lower than the national average.

The facility has also had numerous success stories of inmates who have successfully reintegrated into society after completing their sentences. These success stories demonstrate the effectiveness of the programs and services offered at the Colorado Correctional Center.

12. Challenges and Controversies

Like any correctional facility, the Colorado Correctional Center faces a number of challenges and controversies. Some of the challenges include overcrowding, understaffing, and budget constraints. In addition, the facility has faced criticism for its treatment of inmates and its use of solitary confinement.

13. Future Plans and Goals

The Colorado Correctional Center has several goals for the future, including reducing recidivism rates even further and expanding the facility’s reentry programs and services. The CDOC is also exploring new technologies and approaches to improve safety and security within the facility.

14. Conclusion

The Colorado Correctional Center plays a vital role in the state’s correctional system. Through its comprehensive programs and services, the facility helps inmates successfully reintegrate into society once they have completed their sentences. While the facility faces challenges and controversies, it remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates.

15. FAQs

1. How long has the Colorado Correctional Center been in operation?

• The facility was established in 1988.

2. What types of offenders are housed at the Colorado Correctional Center?

• The facility houses a variety of different types of offenders, including those who have been convicted of nonviolent crimes, as well as those who have been convicted of more serious crimes, such as violent crimes like murder or assault.

3. What types of programs and services are offered at the Colorado Correctional Center?

• The facility offers a wide range of programs and services, including education and vocational training, substance abuse and mental health counseling, employment assistance, parenting classes, and restorative justice programs.

4. What are the visitation policies at the Colorado Correctional Center?

• Visitors are required to undergo a background check and are subject to search before entering the facility. In addition, visitors must adhere to a strict dress code and are not allowed to bring certain items, such as cell phones or cameras, into the facility.

5. What are the goals of the Colorado Correctional Center for the future?

• The facility aims to reduce recidivism rates even further and expand its reentry programs and services, as well as exploring new technologies and approaches to improve safety and security within the facility.