Crowley County Correctional Facility: A Closer Look at Colorado’s Largest Prison
Visiting Hours and Guidelines
Maintaining connections with loved ones is a crucial part of an inmate’s emotional well-being and rehabilitation. At Crowley County Correctional Facility, visiting hours are carefully organized to facilitate these important interactions.
Visiting Hours at Crowley County Correctional Facility
Once an individual’s visitor application is approved, they are eligible to visit their loved one at the facility. Visiting hours are on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with the facility open from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. One of the advantages at Crowley County Correctional Facility is that visitors do not need to schedule appointments in advance, making it easier for families and friends to connect with inmates. Additionally, visitors can come twice a week, ensuring that they can maintain a strong support network.
Duration of Visits
During each visit, friends and family members have the opportunity to spend quality time with their loved ones. Visits at Crowley County Correctional Facility have a duration of two hours, allowing for meaningful conversations and reconnection.
Contact Information
It’s essential to have access to reliable contact information when dealing with correctional facilities. Here’s how you can get in touch with the Crowley County Correctional Facility:
Physical Address
Crowley County Correctional Facility 6564 State Highway 96 Olney Springs, CO 81062
Telephone
If you need to contact the facility for inquiries or have specific questions, you can reach them at:
(719) 267-3548
Inmate Mailing Address
If you wish to send mail to an inmate at the facility, make sure to use the following format:
Inmate Name, ID Number Crowley County Correctional Facility 6564 State Highway 96 Olney Springs, CO 81062
Introduction
The Crowley County Correctional Facility, located in Olney Springs, Colorado, is the largest prison in the state. With a capacity of over 1,800 inmates, it houses both male and female offenders and is run by the private corrections company, CoreCivic. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this facility, its history, its operations, and its impact on the community.
History of the Crowley County Correctional Facility
The Crowley County Correctional Facility was built in 1998, after the state of Colorado entered into a contract with the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), which later became CoreCivic. The facility was originally designed to house only male inmates, but a women’s unit was added in 2001. Over the years, the prison has faced a number of controversies, including allegations of inmate mistreatment, understaffing, and inadequate medical care.
Facility Operations
The Crowley County Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison that houses inmates who have been convicted of a variety of crimes, including drug offenses, violent crimes, and sex offenses. The facility offers a range of programs to inmates, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. Inmates can also participate in work programs within the prison, such as food service and maintenance.
Staffing and Security
As with any correctional facility, staffing and security are key concerns at the Crowley County Correctional Facility. The prison has faced staffing shortages in the past, leading to concerns about safety and security for both inmates and staff. In recent years, the facility has made efforts to increase staffing levels and improve safety protocols, including the installation of additional security cameras and the implementation of a new inmate classification system.
Impact on the Community
The Crowley County Correctional Facility is a major employer in the Olney Springs area, with over 400 staff members. However, the prison’s impact on the community extends beyond just job creation. In recent years, the facility has faced criticism from some community members who feel that the prison has a negative impact on the town. There have been concerns about the safety of the community, as well as the impact of the prison on property values.
Controversies and Criticisms
As mentioned earlier, the Crowley County Correctional Facility has faced a number of controversies over the years. In 2012, the facility was sued by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) over allegations of inadequate medical care for inmates. The case was settled in 2013, with the facility agreeing to make a number of changes to improve medical care for inmates. More recently, the prison has faced criticism over its handling of COVID-19 outbreaks among inmates.
Future of the Crowley County Correctional Facility
Despite the controversies and criticisms, the Crowley County Correctional Facility is likely to remain a fixture in the Olney Springs community for the foreseeable future. CoreCivic’s contract with the state of Colorado runs through 2025, and there are no plans to close the facility at this time. However, there are ongoing efforts to reform the state’s criminal justice system, which could impact the number of inmates housed at the facility in the future.
Conclusion
The Crowley County Correctional Facility is an important part of Colorado’s criminal justice system, housing over 1,800 inmates and employing over 400 staff members. While the facility has faced a number of controversies over the years, it continues to play a significant role in the Olney Springs community. As the state continues to explore criminal justice reform, it will be important to consider the impact of facilities like this one on both inmates and the surrounding community.
FAQs
Q: How many inmates are currently housed at the Crowley County Correctional Facility? A: As of April 2023, the Crowley County Correctional Facility has a capacity of over 1,800 inmates, although the exact number of inmates currently housed at the facility may vary.
Q: What types of programs are offered to inmates at the Crowley County Correctional Facility? A: The facility offers a range of programs to inmates, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. Inmates can also participate in work programs within the prison, such as food service and maintenance.
Q: How has the Crowley County Correctional Facility responded to COVID-19 outbreaks among inmates? A: The facility has faced criticism over its handling of COVID-19 outbreaks among inmates. In 2020, the facility implemented a number of measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including increased cleaning protocols, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the isolation of sick inmates. However, there have been reports of inadequate medical care and poor communication with families of inmates during the pandemic.
Q: What is the impact of the Crowley County Correctional Facility on the Olney Springs community? A: The Crowley County Correctional Facility is a major employer in the Olney Springs area, with over 400 staff members. However, the prison’s impact on the community extends beyond just job creation. There have been concerns about the safety of the community, as well as the impact of the prison on property values.
Q: What is the future of the Crowley County Correctional Facility? A: CoreCivic’s contract with the state of Colorado runs through 2025, and there are no plans to close the facility at this time. However, there are ongoing efforts to reform the state’s criminal justice system, which could impact the number of inmates housed at the facility in the future.
