Detention Operations Division
General Information
The Detention Operations Division is responsible for operating two sections; Intake and Inmate Services, as well as Court Services.
The mission of the Intake and Inmate Services Section is to ensure responsibilities are accomplished in accordance with accepted professional standards as prescribed in Colorado Revised Statue (C.R.S.) 17-26-103. In addition, the Section maintains required records and ensures accountability and security of inmate funds and property. During an inmate’s stay, all of the inmate’s records are maintained by this Section to include court updates, new charges, bond charges, work release fees, pre-trial services and any holds generated by other agencies.
The Inmate Services Unit is responsible for assigning a security classification to each inmate after being booked into the El Paso County Jail . The jail contains several types of wards or cells. The Classification Unit considers various factors and safety of the inmate when determining an inmate's classification and placement; however, an inmate's classification can be changed even after being admitted. The Classification Unit is also responsible for the placement of inmates into the various internal programs such as the Trusty Program, the Reintegration and Recovery Program and the Progressive and Regressive Housing Program.
Located in the Terry Harris Judicial Complex (courthouse), the Court Services Section is divided into two units; the Court Unit and the Transport Unit. The Court Unit is responsible for ensuring public safety, as well as inmate safety while escorting inmates to the many courtrooms and providing security therein. Juveniles are also transported and escorted from the Spring Creek Detention Center to the appropriate courts. Additionally, this Unit is responsible for making arrests and processing any individuals remanded into the custody of the Sheriff from the court. In a timely, safe and secure manner, the Transport Unit moves inmates between the El Paso County Jail and the courthouse. This Unit is additionally responsible for the transport of inmates throughout the State of Colorado to include the Department of Corrections and the many counties and cities in Colorado. Any local medical appointments or transports to the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo are also accomplished by this Unit.
Court Services
Located in the El Paso County Courthouse, the Court Services Section is part of the Detention Operations Division and is divided into the Court Unit and the Transport Unit. This Section is responsible for ensuring the public’s safety by providing security in 50 court rooms as well as 1 advisement courtroom within the El Paso County Jail. They are responsible for moving inmates to and from court in a safe, secure, and timely manner, in addition to arresting and processing remands in accordance with prescribed directives and applicable laws. Further, to provide safe and secure vehicular transportation for inmates to and from court, between local detention facilities, State Hospital, Department of Corrections facilities and other law enforcement jurisdictions throughout the state and as directed by the courts.
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
In 2003, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (known as “PREA”), in an effort to eliminate sexual abuse in correctional (‘confinement’) settings.
Inmate Funds
Cash, Cashier’s Checks, Official Checks, or Money Orders can be accepted 24/7 at the main transaction window located in the lobby of the El Paso County Jail. No personal checks will be accepted and no change is available to be given. Deposits to inmate accounts can only be done through the jail Bookkeeping window or one of Trinity's systems (cash machines located in the El Paso County Jail, Metro Work Release facility, or online systems).
Inmate Property
All inmate property is inventoried during pre-admit processing, booking, then re-inventoried by Property Technicians who control and account for inmate property.
No property is accepted for an inmate once they are formally booked into the El Paso County Jail with the following exceptions: prescription glasses, certain pre-approved prescription medications which must be verified and accepted by the jail medical staff, clothes for jury trials, State Identification, Passports, vehicle and house keys.
Upon completion of a Personal Property Release form, an inmate can release property to a specific, identified person. The person receiving this property must have a valid picture identification card and present it prior to any property being released to them.
Property can be picked up 24 hours a day at the transaction window in the lobby of the El Paso County Jail.
Intake and Release
To ensure all Intake and Release responsibilities are accomplished in accordance with accepted professional standards and as prescribed in Colorado Revised Statue (C.R.S.) 17-26-103. In addition, Intake and Release maintains required records, ensures accountability and security of inmate funds and their personal property.
Special Response Team (SRT)
The responsibilities of the team cover a large gambit of duties, which have expanded since the original implementation of the team. Some of these include: Forced Cell Extractions, Open Area Containment, Riot Control, Mental Health Pick Ups, High Risk Extraditions and Transports, High Risk Jury Trials and Site Visits, and supplemental duties to the SWAT Team.
Bonding / Advisements
HB 21-1280 BONDING PROCESS
LEGAL RIGHTS RELATED TO POSTING MONEY BOND PURSUANT TO SECTION 16-4-102, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES
- BOND FEES, BOOKING FEES AND OTHER FEES OR DEBTS NEVER NEED TO BE PAID TO SECURE A PERSON'S RELEASE ON MONEY BOND. A PAYOR NEED ONLY PAY THE BOND AMOUNT IN ORDER TO SECURE RELEASE.
- WHILE NEVER A BASIS TO HOLD A DEFENDANT IN JAIL, THE FOLLOWING FEES ARE CHARGEABLE AS A DEBT TO THE DEFENDANT AFTER RELEASE IF THE PAYOR CHOOSES NOT TO PAY THE FEES AT THE TIME OF BONDING:A $10 BOND