CO Dept. of Corrections facility security levels and offender custody levels
Michael Dell
A lot of times loved ones, family members and those interested in restorative justice wonder why aspects of an individual’s incarceration change when they are moved to a different facility. The prime factor to be aware of is that there is a difference between the Security Level of the facility where they are housed and the Custody Level they are designated as.
While a facility may have a high Security Level, it may house individuals who have a lower custody level.
Custody level is determined by AR 600-01 Offender Classification. As part of the initial Custody Level determination, the offender’s record is designated as to the Security Level facility that are to be housed at. This is also included within the AR
The nature of Security levels and facility designation is actually set by statute as shown below. The attachment incorporates a plain English explanation from the following website -
https://www.hmichaelsteinberg.com/faq-where-colorado-felony-inmates-serve-their-time.htm
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17-1-104.3. Correctional facilities - locations - security level
(1) (a) Each facility operated by or under contract with the department shall have a designated security level. Designation of security levels shall be as follows:
(I) Level I facilities shall have designated boundaries, but need not have perimeter fencing. Inmates classified as minimum may be incarcerated in level I facilities, but generally inmates of higher classifications shall not be incarcerated in level I facilities.
(II) Level II facilities shall have designated boundaries with a single or double perimeter fencing. The perimeter of level II facilities shall be patrolled periodically. Inmates classified as minimum restrictive and minimum may be incarcerated in level II facilities, but generally inmates of higher classifications shall not be incarcerated in level II facilities.
(III) Level III facilities generally shall have towers, a wall or double perimeter fencing with razor wire, and detection devices. The perimeter of level III facilities shall be continuously patrolled. Appropriately designated close classified inmates, medium classified inmates, and inmates of lower classification levels may be incarcerated in level III facilities, but generally inmates of higher classifications shall not be incarcerated in level III facilities.
(IV) Level IV facilities shall generally have towers, a wall or double perimeter fencing with razor wire, and detection devices. The perimeter of level IV facilities shall be continuously patrolled. Close classified inmates and inmates of lower classification levels may be incarcerated in level IV facilities, but generally inmates of higher classifications shall not be incarcerated in level IV facilities on a long-term basis.
(V) Level V facilities comprise the highest security level and are capable of incarcerating all classification levels. The facilities shall have double perimeter fencing with razor wire and detection devices or equivalent security architecture. These facilities generally shall use towers or stun-lethal fencing as well as controlled sally ports. The perimeter of level V facilities shall be continuously patrolled.
(b) The correctional facilities operated by the department, the location of such facilities, and the designated security level of such facilities shall be as follows:
(See attached. This is expanded upon the facility listing information from the statute)
(b.5) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of this subsection (1), beginning February 1, 2013, the Centennial south campus of the Centennial correctional facility shall not be operated by the department for the purpose of housing inmates in the housing units but, if necessary, may be maintained to provide support and other services to the Centennial correctional facility. The department shall actively pursue options to sell or lease the Centennial south campus of the Centennial correctional facility, which is also known as Colorado state penitentiary II or CSP II. Any proceeds received as a result of a sale or lease of Centennial south campus of the Centennial correctional facility shall be first applied to the payment of the certificates of participation.
(c) For the purposes of retrofitting the Pueblo minimum center from a level II facility to a level III facility, the department shall expend moneys received from the federal "Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003", as amended, Pub.L. 108-27, and shall not request additional capital construction dollars for this purpose.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall be construed to set forth the features and general operation status of the facilities described in that subsection. Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall be construed to define or restrict the custody level of inmates placed in the facilities described in that subsection.
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2000, p. 831, § 6, effective May 24, 2000.)
(4) Repealed.
(5) Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), monthly the department shall submit a project status report on construction and a monthly population and capacity report to the office of state planning and budgeting, the joint budget committee, the capital development committee, and the legislative council. The monthly population and capacity report must include information on state and private contract facilities, including operational capacity for the previous month, the month just ending and capacity changes, on grounds population, and operational capacity for this period in the previous year. The department shall include total beds occupied in each facility, state or private contract, by custody level and by gender. The report shall itemize operational capacities for jail backlog, community corrections, parole, youthful offenders, escapees, and revocations.
