Alamosa County Jail Roster

Alamosa County jail roster is maintained by the Sheriff's Office at 1315 17th Street in Alamosa. This small jail holds less than 100 beds and often operates beyond capacity due to space limits.

Alamosa County Jail

The Alamosa County Jail sits at 1315 17th Street in Alamosa. It opened in 1986 with 48 beds, but overcrowding forced staff to install bunk beds years ago. Even with bunks, the jail fills beyond capacity most days. Overflow inmates sleep on cots or floor mats when no beds are free. This small detention facility handles inmates arrested for felonies in Alamosa and nearby towns across the southern Colorado region.

Space is tight, so the jail houses about 30 of its inmates in neighboring jails. Bent, Chaffee, Costilla, and Conejos Counties take overflow inmates when Alamosa runs out of room. People arrested for misdemeanors or drunk driving in Alamosa often get booked in those other counties instead of locally. This saves space for more serious offenders in Alamosa County.

The Sheriff's Office runs operations at the jail. Staff work around the clock to book new inmates, process releases, and handle bail. The office is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for administrative tasks. Jail operations run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call (719) 589-6608 for inmate information or bail questions at any time.

How to Search Alamosa County Jail Roster

Alamosa County does not have an online inmate database. You must call the jail at (719) 589-6608 to locate an inmate. Have the person's full name ready when you call. Staff can check the roster and tell you if the person is in custody. They can also provide booking dates, charges, and bail amounts over the phone.

Because many inmates are housed in other counties, you may need to check several jails. If the person is not in Alamosa, ask if they were transferred to Bent, Chaffee, Costilla, or Conejos County. Staff can usually tell you where someone went if they left Alamosa custody. This takes extra time, but it is the only way to track inmates from Alamosa County.

The state VINE system at vinelink.com is another option. VINE tracks inmates across Colorado and tells you if they are in custody or released. It does not show charges or bail, but it gives you a location. Sign up for alerts if you want updates when someone moves or gets out. VINE works for Alamosa County and the jails that house overflow inmates.

Alamosa County Jail Conditions and Capacity

The jail struggles with overcrowding year-round. Opened in 1986, the facility was built for a smaller population. Growth in the region has pushed inmate numbers higher, but the county has not expanded the jail. Inmates double up in cells designed for one person. When that is not enough, they sleep on temporary cots or mats on the floor. It is not ideal, but the jail has no choice when beds run out.

Low-risk inmates sometimes get released on home detention to free up space. This keeps dangerous offenders behind bars while letting others serve time at home. The ACLU has criticized Alamosa for how it treats poor defendants, claiming constitutional rights are violated. The county disputes those claims, but pressure to improve conditions continues.

Transferring inmates to other counties helps, but it creates problems too. Families have to travel farther to visit. Lawyers face delays meeting with clients. Court appearances require transporting inmates back to Alamosa, which costs money and time. The system works, but it is far from perfect in Alamosa County.

Bail Procedures in Alamosa County

Bail is accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week at Alamosa County jail. You can pay cash or use a bondsman. Bondsmen charge 10 to 15 percent of the bail amount as their fee. That fee is not refundable, even if the person goes to all their court dates. Cash bail is returned after the case ends, minus any fines or fees the court imposes.

Call (719) 589-6608 to ask about a specific bail amount. Staff can tell you what is owed and how to pay it. Cash, certified checks, and money orders are accepted at the jail. Personal checks are not. Bondsmen work in the area and can post bail quickly once you hire them. Some bondsmen require collateral if the bail amount is high.

Not everyone gets bail in Alamosa County. Serious charges or a history of failing to appear in court can lead a judge to deny bail. Repeat offenders may face higher bail amounts. The court looks at many factors when deciding bail, including the nature of the crime and the person's ties to the community. A lawyer can ask the judge to reduce bail if it is too high.

Colorado Jail Records Law

Colorado law requires sheriffs to keep detailed jail records. C.R.S. § 17-26-118 sets the standards for what must be recorded and who can access it. Sheriffs must log all inmates, including names, booking dates, charges, and release dates. These records are public, which means anyone can request access to them in Alamosa County.

You do not need a reason to request jail records. Walk into the Sheriff's Office or submit a written request. Some records may be withheld if releasing them would harm an ongoing investigation or violate privacy rights. But most booking information is open to the public. Fees may apply for copies, especially if the request covers many pages.

Inmates have rights under Colorado law as well. They must be given access to medical care, legal counsel, and a process to challenge their detention. Colorado Revised Statutes protect these rights, and inmates can file complaints if the jail violates them. Advocacy groups monitor conditions in Alamosa County jails to make sure rules are followed.

Inmate Services and Programs

The jail has limited programs due to its small size. A commissary operates once a week, letting inmates buy toiletries, stationery, and snacks. Funds must be deposited into an inmate's account before they can shop. Family and friends can deposit money over the phone or in person at the jail.

Phone calls are available for inmates to contact family and lawyers. All calls are recorded except those with attorneys. Inmates should not say anything incriminating during recorded calls. Prosecutors can use those recordings as evidence in court. Call rates vary depending on the phone provider the jail uses.

Medical care is provided for inmates who need it. The jail has staff on duty who can handle basic medical issues. Serious problems require a transfer to a local hospital. Inmates with chronic conditions receive medication as prescribed. Mental health services are limited, which has drawn criticism from advocates in Alamosa County.

Cities in Alamosa County

Alamosa County includes the city of Alamosa and smaller communities like Hooper and Mosca. All arrests in these areas lead to bookings at the county jail or transfers to neighboring facilities. The Sheriff handles custody for everyone in Alamosa County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Alamosa County or house overflow inmates. If you are searching for someone, check these jails as well.