The El Paso County Jail, located at 2739 E Las Vegas Street, is at a critical point in managing the inmate population as it reached record highs today with a jail population of 1,717 and a total inmate population of 1,880.  The last record for Daily Inmate Population was set in August of 2018, with a jail population of 1,677 and a total inmate population of 1,839.   At today’s population, the jail is at a critical place in which additional bunks have been brought in to accommodate the growing numbers.  

The only jail in El Paso County houses inmates that are brought in from eight surrounding law enforcement agencies. With the increasing numbers, the staff feel the pressure of too many inmates and not enough space or personnel.  As Sheriff Elder has previously stated, “These high numbers impact the safety of both staff and inmates as it increases the likelihood of fights and assaults within the jail.”

While the primary focus of the jail is to securely house inmates, one of the secondary focus is to equip and prepare inmates for post-detention life through inmate programs.  This is one way our staff is working to lower the jail’s population by reducing recidivism in El Paso County.

“I’m proud of the ways that my jail staff continuously works to maintain the safety of our inmate population.  I am committed to working with members of the courts, other law enforcement agencies, and community leaders to find alternative solutions to the growing inmate population” says Sheriff Elder.