FAQ

Per policy, you must be an active, approved visitor to be able to schedule both in-person and video visits. You will need to complete and submit a visiting application and copy of a government issued photo ID to the visiting office for the inmate's assigned correctional facility and be approved for visitation before you are able to schedule visits.  Visiting applications may be obtained on our Visiting Applications page.

Visiting applications must be submitted per the instructions specific to the facility you are applying to visit. Each facility has its own page on our website, links to the facility specific pages may be found under our Facilities menu page.  On the facility's webpage, directions for submitting a completed visiting application can be found under the expandable section "Where/how to submit visiting applications".  

Please see below for further information specific to in-person and video visiting.

In-person visits

In-person visits may be scheduled directly through the visiting office of the correctional facility where the inmate is assigned. Contact information for each facility's visiting office may be found on the facility's webpage.  Each facility has its own page on our website, links to the facility specific pages may be found under our Facilities menu page.  On the facility's webpage, information regarding scheduling a visit may be found under the "Visiting Appointments" section.

Video visits

Video visitation has been suspended on Securus devices at all correctional facilities effective November 19, 2024. This suspension is due to new rules set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The full announcement of this suspension may be found on our website in the news article: Important Notice: Suspension of Video Visitation on Securus Devices

Video visitation is provided by Securus. You must be approved for in-person visitation in order to schedule video visits.  Once you have been approved for visitation by the correctional facility, you may set up a video visiting account through the Securus video visitation page.

By Mail

Mail may be sent directly to individuals in our custody at their assigned correctional facility; policies and guidelines for sending mail may be found on our Contact an Inmate page.  

Please be sure to include the inmate's full name and DOC# to ensure proper delivery; a valid return address must also be included.  Inmates' facility assignments and DOC#s may be found on our website through our online inmate locator.  Each facility has its own page on our website, links to the facility specific pages may be found under our Facilities page. Addresses for each of our correctional facilities may be found below the facility description on the webpage for the facility where the inmate is assigned.

Sending Books and Calendars by Mail

Books, calendars, and any other publications must be sent directly to the offender from an approved source of supply, specifically a retailer or publisher with an address verifiable via the internet or a commercial directory. Please note that while Amazon meets the criteria of an approved source of supply, some Amazon marketplace retailers may not meet that criteria. All publications must be new, used publications are not accepted under any circumstances and all publications must be in compliance with Administrative Regulation 300-26 Publications. Please be sure the shipping address includes the offender's full name and DOC# to ensure proper delivery. The referenced policy may be accessed on our Department Policies page.

Please note: inmates in intake may not receiving books or calendars while assigned to intake. 

Securus eMessaging an Inmate

Securus eMessaging allows you to send an electronic message to an inmate in our custody, similar to sending an email.  Securus eMessages are delivered directly to the inmate's tablet.  Please be aware that Securus eMessaging is a one-way communication system and inmates are not able to respond through the eMessaging system. You may sign up for eMessaging and send messages through the Securus eMessaging website. Information on Securus eMessaging may also be found on our Contact an Inmate page.

Phone Contact with Inmates

Inmates are not able to receive calls. They may make outgoing calls to persons on their approved phone list.  If you want to have an inmate add you to their phone list, you will need to send them a letter or Securus eMessage providing your phone number and requesting that they add you to their phone list so they are able to call you. 

Phone service is provided through Securus; additional information regarding phone service and calls rates may be found under the "Phone Contact with Inmates" section of the Contact an Inmate page.

Please be aware, if you have ever been listed as a victim in any of an inmate's offenses, the inmate will not be able to add you to their phone list.  You will need to submit a written request to the administrative head of the facility where the inmate is assigned to request approval for contact with the inmate.  

Options for depositing funds to inmate accounts may be found on the page Sending Money to an Inmate.  

Please note: THERE IS A RESTRICTION ON SENDING FUNDS TO MULTIPLE INMATES

PLEASE NOTE, PER POLICY as outlined in Administrative Regulation 200-02 Inmate Banking: "Offenders in the custody of the DOC are not allowed to send, receive, or solicit EFTs from other offenders or relatives or visitors of other offenders in the custody of the DOC. Exceptions may be made for inmates with common immediate family members by application to the Custody/Control manager of their facilities. a. All EFTs received by offenders are subject to investigation by each facility's intelligence officer.  If the funds are determined to be used for bartering, have come from someone determined to be a relative or visitor of another offender or are deemed questionable, they will be confiscated from the offender's account and put into a holding account until a final determination can be made regarding their status.  b. Each facility's intelligence officer will determine within ten business days whether the funds will be returned to the sender, released to the offender, or held as contraband. c. All funds confiscated as contraband and/or abandoned will be forwarded to the Inmate Bank Office to be deposited to the canteen and library fund." [IV. R. 7.] The referenced policy may be found on our Department Policies page.

Contact the Inmate Bank at (719) 269-4271 if you have questions.

*** Notice: All EFT transactions are subject to services fees as determined by each individual vendor. Each vendor’s website contains their fee structures and can be accessed using the links below. These are subject to change at the discretion of the vendor ***
 

Information concerning the basics of sentence computation, including general definitions of common terms may be found on our Time Comp page, you may also find contact information for Time and Release on this page.  Questions concerning sentence computation are best directed to the Time and Release office as they are the subject matter experts in sentence computation. 

Information concerning classification and reclassifications may be found on our Classifications page.  

 

Books, calendars, and any other publications must be sent directly to the offender from an approved source of supply, specifically a retailer or publisher with an address verifiable via the internet or a commercial directory. Please note that while Amazon meets the criteria of an approved source of supply, some Amazon marketplace retailers may not meet that criteria. All publications must be new, used publications are not accepted under any circumstances and all publications must be in compliance with Administrative Regulation 300-26 Publications. Please be sure the shipping address includes the offender's full name and DOC# to ensure proper delivery. The referenced policy may be accessed on our Department Policies page.

Please note: inmates in intake may not receive books or calendars while assigned to intake. 

Information concerning the intake and classification process may be found on the Intake page. 

The intake and classification process takes an average of 3-6 weeks and once completed, the inmate will be transferred to a long term facility assignment based upon their classification, any documented custody issues, program needs, and bed space availability.  Please note, due to the complex nature of facility assignment the department is unable to accommodate requests for placement in particular correctional facilities and/or geographic areas.

Due to the complex nature of facility assignment and limitations on bed space availability, the department is unable to accommodate requests for placement in particular correctional facilities and/or geographic areas.

Colorado Department of Corrections does not have a hardship placement policy and is not able to accommodate facility placement requests for hardship placements. 

If an inmate has safety concerns related to their facility or housing assignment, they are encouraged to notify Intel of their concerns and complete a custody issue statement reporting the specifics of those concerns so they may be investigated, validated, and documented.  Once the safety concerns have been validated, staff will determine whether an adjustment to the inmate's housing assignment is required. 

We appreciate your understanding in this matter. 

Medical Records

Information regarding how to request medical records may be found on our Medical Records Request page. A valid release of information form must be on file or submitted with the request and payment for records must be received before they can be produced.

Inmate Records

Information regarding how to request medical records may be found on our Inmate Records Request page. 

CORA/CCJRA Requests

Information regarding submitting CORA/CCJRA requests may be found on our CORA/CCJRA page.

Sex Offender Treatment (SOTMP)

The process for an inmate to be referred to our Sex Offender Treatment and Monitoring Program is outlined in Administrative Regulation700-19 Sex Offender Treatment and Monitoring Program. As noted in the policy, the department utilizes a department wide referral list for offenders who have been identified as needing placement into SOTMP. Inmates become eligible for referral to the program once they are within 4 years of their parole eligibility date (PED).  Once the inmate reaches the top of the referral list, they are transferred to a facility offering SOTMP and placed into the treatment program.  Please note that treatment priority is per policy as outlined in AR 700-19.  The referenced policy may be accessed on our Department Policies page.

ARMs, (Advanced Risk Management) is for individuals who completed SOTMP, paroled and were regressed back. The focus of treatment is around the behaviors, issues related to the revocation.  Inmates in need of SOTMP ARMs must complete their return to treatment paperwork and have it submitted for review by the returnees committee prior to being referred for treatment.  Once the paperwork is received, reviewed, and approved by the returnees committee, the inmate will be added to the referral list.  Inmates are added to the referral list in the order that their return to treatment paperwork is approved.  Once they reach the top of the referral list and there is space available for them in the program, they will be transferred to a facility which offers the program and enrolled into treatment. ARMs falls under the supervision of the Sex Offender Treatment and Monitoring Program.

We are not able to expedite placement into treatment or prioritize inmates for placement into the treatment program by request as doing so would thwart the purpose of the referral list and be unfair to all other individuals awaiting placement into treatment. 

Drug and Alcohol/Substance Abuse Treatment

The process for an offender to be referred to our Drug and Alcohol/Therapeutic Community (TC) program is outlined in Administrative Regulation 700-20 Substance Use Disorder Program. As noted in the policy, the department utilizes a department wide referral list for offenders who have been identified as needing placement into a therapeutic community for drug and alcohol treatment. Once the offender reaches the top of the referral list, they are transferred to a facility offering the TC program and placed into the treatment program.  Please note that treatment priority is placed on offenders with five years or less to parole eligibility date (PED) and eight years or less to mandatory release date (MRD).  The referenced policy may be accessed on our Department Policies page.

We are not able to expedite placement into treatment or prioritize inmates for placement into the treatment program by request as doing so would thwart the purpose of the referral list and be unfair to all other individuals awaiting placement into treatment. 

Medication Assisted Therapy/Suboxone

Inmates who wish to request medication assisted therapy for drug or alcohol withdrawal may submit a kite to the clinic at their assigned correctional facility to request evaluation to determine if they are an appropriate candidate for the treatment.  It is up to the treatment provider to determine if the patient is a candidate for the program and if so, what medication will be prescribed. Individuals who are not eligible for suboxone treatment may be eligible for treatment with naltrexone or other medication assisted therapies. 

Residential Treatment Program for Mental Health Disorders/Intellectual and Developmental Needs

Colorado Department of Corrections has Residential Treatment Programs (RTPs) for individuals with mental health disorders and intellectual or developmental needs.  The criteria and process for placement into an RTP is outlined in Administrative Regulation 650-04 Residential Treatment Programs for Offenders with Mental Health Disorders and Intellectual and Developmental Needs.  This policy may be accessed on our Department Policies page. 

If you believe your loved one is in need of or may be a candidate for placement into an RTP, we encourage you to speak with the Health Services Administrator (HSA) at their assigned correctional facility. 

Information regarding applying for clemency, both commutations and pardons, may be found on our Clemency page.  The information available on the page includes eligibility criteria, the application process and requirements, and contact information for the Office of Executive Clemency, which oversees the process. 

Each facility has a clinic which provides primary care services to inmates assigned to that facility. Colorado Department of Corrections employs licensed care providers who determine the inmate's plan of care based upon their medical expertise. Inmates may access care by kiting the clinic at their assigned facility. 

Additional information concerning medical and mental health care may be found on the Medical and Mental Health page.

Effective October 10, outside ordering of gaming systems, clothing, and other items for incentive unit personnel has been indefinitely suspended pending investigation into issues with introduction of contraband.  This suspension does not impact books, magazines, educational materials, personal eyeglasses, or care packages. Information regarding sending those items may be found below.

Sending Books, Magazines, and Calendars

Books, magazines, calendars, and any other publications must be sent directly to the offender from an approved source of supply, specifically a retailer or publisher with an address verifiable via the internet or a commercial directory. Please note that while Amazon meets the criteria of an approved source of supply, some Amazon marketplace retailers may not meet that criteria. All publications must be new, used publications are not accepted under any circumstances and all publications must be in compliance with Administrative Regulation 300-26 Publications. Please be sure the shipping address includes the offender's full name and DOC# to ensure proper delivery. The referenced policy may be accessed on our Department Policies page.

Please note: inmates in intake may not receiving books or calendars while assigned to intake. 

Care Packages

Care packages for inmates may be sent only through the department's approved care package provider, Union Supply Direct.  Packages may be ordered online through the Union Supply Direct website.  There is an open ordering period each month and the package will be delivered the month after the order is placed. 

Canteen

Canteen items may only be ordered by inmates; orders may be submitted by the inmate each week.  You may deposit funds to the inmate's account so they may purchase items from the department's canteen.  Information regarding how to send funds to an inmate may be found on the Send Money to an Inmate page. 

Additional information regarding the department's canteen may be found on our Canteen page.

Personal Eyeglasses

Personal glasses may be sent to inmates in our custody through the process outlined in Administrative Regulation 700-05 Optometry Scope of Service; under page 2, 4. Personal Eyeglasses. All glasses sent in will be inspected to ensure they meet the security requirements outlined in the policy.  The referenced policy may be accessed on our Department Policies page. 

Colorado Department of Corrections does not have any authority overturn or modify an inmate's sentence or to release an inmate from custody. If an inmate or their loved one believes their conviction or sentence were incorrect, inappropriate, or excessive, or has evidence which exonerates the inmate, the only way for the inmate to dispute their conviction and/or sentence is by appealing the conviction and/or sentence is by filing an appeal through the courts.

The other forms of early release which offenders may be eligible to pursue are addressed below. 

Special Needs Parole

Individuals who have serious chronic terminal or debilitating healthcare conditions may meet the criteria to apply for early release through Special Needs Parole.  The criteria for Special Needs Parole is outlined in Administrative Regulation 250-81 Special Needs Parole; this policy may be accessed on our Department Policies page. 

Clemency - Commutation and Pardon

Information regarding applying for clemency, both commutations and pardons, may be found on our Clemency page.  The information available on the page includes eligibility criteria, the application process and requirements, and contact information for the Office of Executive Clemency, which oversees the process. 

Commutations, which are the form of clemency inmates who are currently incarcerated may apply for, may be initiated by the inmate through their assigned case manager if they meet the eligibility criteria.  Please be aware that clemency is considered an extraordinary measure and can be granted only by the governor.

Early Discharge from Parole

Individuals who have completed 50% or more of their parole term and been substantially in compliance with their parole supervision may be eligible for early discharge.  The criteria and process for early discharge may be found in Administrative Regulation 250-29 Early Parole Discharge; this policy may be accessed on our Department Policies page.  Parolees who believe they are eligible for early discharge should speak with their assigned parole officer. 

Information regarding educational programs offered by the Colorado Department of Corrections may be found on the Education, Library, and Programs page. Inmates who wish to pursue educational programs must speak with their case manager regarding their interest.  Completion of a high school diploma or high school equivalency/GED is required for all other educational program assignments. 

The Colorado Parole Board is a separate entity from the Colorado Department of Corrections; the parole board is granted the exclusive authority to approve or deny discretionary parole for parole eligible inmates as they determine to be appropriate.  For individuals who have been denied parole and had their parole decision deferred, the parole board also determines the length of the deferral.

Colorado Department of Corrections cannot modify nor override parole board decisions and parole application decisions are not subject to appeal per the Parole Board's FAQ page. 

Contact information for the parole board may be found on the Colorado Parole Board website.

Thank you for your interest in applying for employment with the Colorado Department of Corrections.  Information regarding our Fast Track Hiring Events may be found on our Employment Opportunities page. A list of all current job openings may be accessed through the Government Jobs website; links to apply online for employment are included in each job announcement.

Questions regarding employment, the hiring process, or fast track hiring events may be directed to DOC_HQ_Careers@state.co.us