Countywide : Prison Consultant to Tour County Jails

A Colorado prison consultant will tour Orange County Jail facilities next month in response to persistent concerns about jail overcrowding and incidents of inmate violence.

Assistant Sheriff John (Rocky) Hewitt said Thursday that consultant Ray Nelson’s visit, which begins Aug. 9, was prompted by the decade-long overcrowding problem and recent clashes between Latino and black inmates. The visit was approved by Sheriff Brad Gates, he said.

The inspection of local jail facilities was recommended by U.S. District Judge Gary Taylor, who keeps watch over a federal court order, which requires that inmates be provided a bed within 24 hours after jail check-in.

“We’re also concerned with the safety of the inmates,” Hewitt said. “We’re concerned with the overcrowding. We’re concerned with assaults. But I feel we run the best jails anywhere. Anyone is welcome to walk in our jails at any time.”