Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility: Prison Overview

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility is a state prison located in Ordway, Colorado. The facility opened in August 1987 and is managed by the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility is a mixture of custody levels that houses over 1,000 adult male state inmates. Inmates at the facility are provided with opportunities to better their lives while institutionalized. The prison facility offers a variety of programs, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and counseling services. These programs are designed to help inmates prepare for their eventual release and reentry into society.

The facility’s staff is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff members. They are trained to handle a variety of situations, including medical emergencies, security breaches, and inmate disturbances. The staff also works closely with inmates to ensure that they are treated with respect and dignity.

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility is an important part of Colorado’s criminal justice system, providing a secure and humane environment for inmates while also working to reduce recidivism and promote public safety.

SecurityMedium
Capacity1,089
Physical Address12750 Hwy 96 at Lane 13
Ordway, CO. 81034
Mailing Address12750 CO-96, Ordway, CO 81034
Can You Send a Gift?No
Visitation HoursDepends
Dress CodeYes
Phone Number(719) 267-3520
JurisdictionState

History

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility (AVCF) is a state prison for men located in Ordway, Crowley County, Colorado. The facility opened in August 1987, and it is owned and operated by the Colorado Department of Corrections. It is located just off Highway 96, four miles west of Ordway and 40 miles east of Pueblo.

The AVCF is a Level III facility that manages a diverse population consisting of 1,089 inmates. The prison is named after the Arkansas River, which flows through the Arkansas Valley. The facility has a long and rich history of providing correctional services to the state of Colorado.

Prior to the construction of the AVCF, the Colorado Department of Corrections had been facing severe overcrowding in its existing facilities. The construction of the AVCF was part of a larger effort to address this issue. The facility was designed to house a maximum of 1,089 inmates.

Over the years, the AVCF has implemented a number of programs and initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism and helping inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon their release. These programs include educational opportunities, job training, and treatment programs.

In recent years, the AVCF has faced challenges related to staffing shortages and budget cuts. Despite these challenges, the facility has remained committed to its mission of providing safe and secure correctional services to the state of Colorado.

Facility Information

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility is a state prison managed by the Colorado Department of Corrections. The facility is located in Ordway, Colorado, and is situated on Highway 96. AVCF is a Level III facility that manages a diverse population consisting of 1,089 inmates. The facility does have some specialized housing units – a Protective Custody Unit, a Re-Entry pod, an Incentive Living Unit, and a treatment and maintenance unit for people convicted of a sexual offense.

Location

AVCF is located in Ordway, a small town in Crowley County, Colorado. The facility is situated on Highway 96, which runs east to west across the state. The town of Ordway is located approximately 50 miles east of Pueblo, Colorado.

Address

The address for AVCF is 12750 Highway 96, Lane 13, Ordway, CO, 81034. Visitors should note that mail sent to the facility must include the inmate’s full name, DOC number, and the name and address of the facility.

Custody Levels

AVCF is a Level III facility, which means it is a secure facility that houses medium-custody inmates. Inmates at AVCF have been convicted of various crimes, including drug offenses, property crimes, and violent crimes. The facility also has specialized housing units for inmates who require protective custody, re-entry services, or treatment for sexual offenses.

AVCF is one of 21 facilities managed by the Colorado Department of Corrections. The department has 19 state-run facilities and two private facilities. For more information on AVCF or any other facility, consult the individual facility’s page on the Colorado Department of Corrections website.

Inmate Information

General Population

The Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility houses a diverse population consisting of over 1,000 adult male state inmates. Inmates are classified according to their custody level, which determines their housing assignment and privileges. The facility offers various programs to help inmates better their lives while institutionalized, including treatment programs, adult education, information technology courses, welding, construction skills, and web design.

Protective Custody

Inmates who require protective custody are housed separately from the general population. These inmates are usually placed in protective custody due to their status as informants, witnesses, or victims of violence. Inmates who are placed in protective custody are subject to certain restrictions and may not have access to the same privileges as those in the general population.

Inmate Search

Friends and family members of inmates can use the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) inmate locator tool to find an inmate’s full name and dates of birth, status, release date, and last name. To locate an inmate, one can use the inmate’s ID number, last name, or date of birth.

Visiting an Inmate

To visit an inmate at AVCF, one must be an approved visitor. Visitors must fill out an application and be approved by the facility before they can visit an inmate. Visitation rules and regulations are strictly enforced, and visitors are subject to search before entering the facility. Visitors must also adhere to a strict dress code and may not bring any items into the facility.

Visitation Hours

Visitation hours at AVCF vary depending on the housing unit and custody level of the inmate.

  • Friday – PC Offenders: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • General Population: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Saturday – General Population: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for each Saturday except the first Saturday of each month. There is no GP visiting on the first Saturday of each month.
  • PC Offenders: The FIRST Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Sunday – General Population: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Monday – Re-entry Pod: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Send Money

Friends and family members can send money to inmates using ConnectNetwork or JPay services. Inmates can also receive money through the mail, but all funds must be in the form of a money order or certified check made payable to the inmate.

Phone Calls

Inmates at AVCF can make collect calls to approved phone numbers. Friends and family members can also set up a prepaid phone account through the facility’s phone service provider, which allows inmates to make calls to approved phone numbers.

Mail

Friends and family members can send mail to inmates at AVCF by addressing the envelope to the inmate’s full name and ID number, followed by the facility’s mailing address. Inmates can receive letters, cards, and photographs, but all mail is subject to search and inspection.

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