6564 Highway 96
Olney Springs, CO 81062
719-267-3548
Fax: 719-267-4517

Facility Public Information Officer: Patricia Florez patricia.flores@correctionscorp.com 719-267-3548 ext. 23913

Facility Type: Male, Medium Security, Owned since 2003

Warden: Richard Smelser

Richard Smelser was named warden of CCA's Crowley County Correctional Facility in October 2004. Previously, he served as assistant warden at CCA's Florence Correctional Center. Warden Smelser was a Colorado State Trooper for 8 years, and then began his corrections career in 1983 with the Colorado Department of Corrections as a Correctional officer. He also served two years with the United States Army, including one year in Vietnam.

Total beds: 1794

ACA Accreditation: Yes

Developed as an integral part of the State of Colorado prison system, this 1,616-bed facility accepted its first offenders in October, 1998. Corrections Corporation of America assumed operations of the facility in January, 2003. An agreement with the Crowley County Board of Commissioners obligates the county to serve as host to all services contracts that require inter-governmental contracting through the year 2073. The Crowley County Correctional Facility is designed with a campus style layout. There are a total of seven buildings, containing 349,611 square feet which are located within a 22-acre secured perimeter. The entire facility is handicapped accessible. There are two large recreation yards with shaded canopies and in addition, inmates have access to an enclosed gymnasium. The facility also houses a 24-hour medical observation bed area. Leading up the driveway to the facility from State Highway 96 is a fruit tree orchard consisting of approximately 1,600 peach, apple, pear and cherry trees.

Community Relations: The facility holds a quarterly community relations luncheon. Members of the community exchange ideas, voice concerns and tour the facility.

Community Activities: The facility holds the distinction of coordinating and providing cabinet building services for the community volunteer program, "Habitat for Humanity".

Programs Offered: EDUCATIONAL: High School Equivalency, Adult Basic Education (ABE); English as Second Language (ESL); Meixan Education Partnership; Distance Education through the National Distance Education Council. VOCATIONAL (all certified by the State Jr. College System and credit is awarded towards an Associate of Arts degree): Horticulture I & II; Janitorial; Woodworking, Vocational and Industrial Technology Program (VITP) Carpentry (Beginner and Advanced) that works in a partnership with Habtat for Humnaity; Computer Information Systems (six different areas); Electronics, Construction Core Curriculum; Colorado Department of Transportation-sponsored flagger certification program; OSHA 30 Safety Program; Federal Apprenticeships in Industrial Housekeeping Cabinet Making, Electronics Technician, Horticulture, Baker, Cook, Food Service Manager, Health Care Sanitary Tech., Office Manager. RELIGIOUS/ FAITH-BASED: The facility has two full-time chaplains who coordinate a variety of faith groups and religious programs within the facility. Our offerings match or exceed the offerings throughout Colorado facilities. If an offender has a religious need that is not met, we work toward meeting this need. Meetings/services are regularly scheduled for Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Native American Wicca, Latter-Day Saints, Karios, Moorish Science, Moe Evangelist, Judaism, Asatru and Jehovah's Witness groups. The facility also partners with several local churches as well as the Institute of Basic Life Principles living pod for offenders committed to learning the skills necessary to be successful in society from a multi-religious approach. A living pod is also committed to the School of Christ International. SUBSTANCE ABUSE (addictions awareness treatment programs licensed by the Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division - ADAD): AA, NA, Addiction Recovery Program, White Bison, Strategies for Change, Core Curriculum, Spanish-specific treatment programs, Relapse Prevention and more. LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMS: teach how to be successful while incarcerated as well as upon their release. SIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM: Offenders are allowed the opportunity to learn basic and advanced sign language skills to assist the handicapped in the facility and upon their release. CORRECTIONAL LEARNING NETWORK: Satellite courses are available in every cell in all GED subjects, plus parenting, business, postcards, anger management, victim awareness, addiction recovery, economics, peer influence, workplace safety and many others. To find out more, visit http://cln.esd101.net. PROJECT LINUS: This volunteer program allows inmates to crochet or knit blankets to send to third world countries for children in burn units, HIV units, homeless shelters or anywhere that a child might be in need. FATHER READ: An innovative program that allows fathers to read books on video tape and then send the tape and book home so a child can hear their father reading to them. PRE-RELEASE: Such classes as financial skills, parenting, anger management, resume building and job interviewing are part of the courses offered to offenders. OFFENDER WORK PROGRAMS (based on offenders' individual needs): academic and vocational education programs, maintenance and labor crews, recreation department, porter positions, food services, laundry, commissary, library, barbershop, reading program and translators; Federal Apprenticeship Programs in Cabinetry, Residential Housecleaning, Baking, and Office Management; community work crew provides services to the county and school districts such as repairing fences and bleachers at the county fairgrounds, painting and weed clean-up of local churches, and cleaning debris and weeds from the sides of highways SOCIAL SERVICES: There are 18 case managers available to provide orientation, determine program needs, make referrals for appropriate program placement and assist with the facility's Reintegration Program. PROJECT CHECKMATE: An acronym which stands for "Challenging His/Her Essential Character Knowingly Making Alternative Thought Effective." Project Checkmate consists of inmates who have been rigorously screened by staff and chosen for this program. Inmates have volunteered willingly to train and share their life experiences. The inmate's goal is to defer others from making the same mistakes by following the paths that led each man in this program to prison. The program, aimed at middle and high school kids, is designed to strengthen the awareness of the parents, increase self-esteem and help improve the communication within the family. We believe in educating the parents and the children on identifying the negative outcomes dealing with drugs and alcohol. The topics and discussions are chosen in advance, based on the problem-solving techniques, communication skills and one-on-one couseling. DRAMA CLUB: A team-building class with emphasis on group participation and learning individually. There are artists building and painting sets, and the costumes are planned and sewn with the aid of our laundry department. VETERANS FOR PROGRESS GROUP: A group of dedicated men who fought for the rights of Americans. They are in charge of Color Guard, the Veterans Memorial and have various ceremonies throughout the year. They also publish a local veteran's newsletter, "The Veteran's Post." LIBRARY: The facility offers a full service library staffed by a library assistant. Books can either be read in the library during an inmate's assigned time or checked out for an extended epriod. Newspapers and magazines are also available. There is also a legal reference library, word processors and a Chaplain's library. RECREATION PROGRAM: Organized recreational activities such as flag football, softball, volleyball, soccer, handball, horse-shoes, indoor bowling and basketball are available for inmates. Card games, checkers, chess and a variety of board games are also available. PRISON GREY'S ADOPTION PROGRAM: CCCF and Friends of Retired Greyhounds have partnered to allow inmates to foster greyhounds that have been taken from the tracks and given a second chance. This allows the dogs an opportunity to transition into a home setting and offers inmates the ability to develop some parenting skills.

Visitation Schedule: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Friday - Sunday

Tour Contact: Patricia Florez, Facility PIO [719-267-3548 ext 23913]