The Community Corrections Board screens referrals and makes recommendations to the courts whether an offender or inmate is eligible for placement in a local community corrections program. Offenders entering community corrections either as a direct sentence for a criminal offense or probation violation (known as diversion), or as a condition of re-entry after serving a prison sentence (know as transition). The courts, Department of Corrections (DOC) and community corrections facilities make the ultimate decision of whether an inmate or offender is approved for placement.

The Community Corrections Board consists of 16 members. Ten members represent area agencies to include El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Pikes Peak Mental Health, Probation, Parole, Colorado Springs Police, Teller County Sheriff, Office of the Public Defender, District Attorney’s Office, and the 4th Judicial District and County Courts. Six citizen members are appointed by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners.

The Community Corrections Board receives offender referrals that the community corrections programs are willing to accept. The Board has approved automatic acceptance for some types of referrals, so not all offenders require individual approval by the Board. Referrals involving violence, sex offenses, 28 grams of drugs or more, drug distribution, weapons offenses, and/or crimes committed outside of the 4th Judicial District are criteria cases and require additional Board approval.

El Paso County Juvenile Community Review Board (EPC JCRB) screens juveniles being considered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Youth Corrections (DYC) for community placement. The board considers the following criteria for the screening of juvenile offenders for placement in the community from the DHS DYC:

1. that the juvenile is appropriate for community placement based on the information in the juvenile’s case file and history;
2. that placement of the juvenile in El Paso County will not present a danger to the approved facility or the community-at-large;
3. that a reasonable basis exists to believe the juvenile may substantially benefit from the available treatment programs of the approved facility; and
4. that rejection of the juvenile would impose a hardship not outweighed by the considerations of 1, 2, and 3 above.

Registered victims have the right to provide a verbal and/or written statement to provide input regarding possible placement for defendants. There are two types of offenders: Diversion and Transition.

Diversion clients are those that have active cases in court. The Community Corrections Board (CCB) is voting on whether a direct sentence to a community corrections program should be a possible sentencing option for the Court’s consideration. Please note that in all instances, the assigned Judge makes the final decision regarding the defendant’s sentence. Diversion clients get priority based on sentencing dates.

Transition clients are those who are currently in prison. The CCB is voting on whether or not that client should be transitioned from prison into the community through community corrections.

The Board reviews the packets prior to voting and victim impact statements may be included for the CCB to review.

To assist victims with statements to the Board, we offer the following questions:

1. Do you think this offender can be safely returned to the community? Why or why not?
2. How has this offender’s actions affected you personally?
3. Do you think this offender is a threat to harm you again? Why or why not?
4. Is there anything else you would like the CCB to know?

Tiffany Weaver, Community Corrections Specialist & Victim Services
17 N. Spruce Street
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905-1407
tiffanyweaver@elpasoco.com
719-520-6795