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Index: Crime & Safety / Subcategory: Crime

Larimer County Jail Population & Capacity

Date Posted: 05/14/2012

Chart Directory:

Larimer County Jail

Inmate Demographics

The Larimer County Jail (LCJ) (formerly the Larimer County Jail) is operated by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. The LCJ holds prisoners for all law enforcement agencies in Larimer County. In addition to the Sheriff's Office, these agencies include Fort Collins Police Services, Loveland Police Department, Estes Park Police Department, Berthoud Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, and Colorado State University Police Department. The portion of Windsor located in Larimer County is also serviced by the LCJ.

Since opening in 1983, the LCJ has experienced tremendous growth in inmate population. The average daily inmate population in 1983 was 105, but by 1995 the daily average had increased 134% to 246 inmates. Recognizing the need for larger facilities, Larimer County voters approved a sales tax increase in 1997 to fund an expansion of the LCJ. This expansion, along with the use of cell double-bunking has allowed the facility's total capacity to reach its current level of 557 beds.

While the stated current total capacity of 557 beds for adult inmates might indicate that the LCJ is below capacity, use of a lower total capacity figure is more accurate when considering available capacity.

After allowing for an adjustment to address for both "peaking" and "classification" factors, an average daily population capacity of 80% of the 557 beds, or 446 would be a more accurate reflection of the LCJ capacity. "Peaking" and "classification" factors address the facility's need to leave a specific percentage of beds available for peak times (i.e., spikes in population) and for classification purposes (i.e., separate housing locations for special needs inmates, high risk inmates, juvenile inmates and males/ females). Opportunities to further increase the capacity of the current facility via additional double-bunking are limited.

What this chart shows: Average Daily Population by Month - Larimer County Jail, 2011

Average Daily Population by Month - Larimer County Jail, 2011

Data Source: Larimer County Criminal Justice Administration (data not available online)

See data table

What the above data tell us:

In March 2001, the Larimer County Jail (formerly the Larimer County Jail) expanded from 309 beds to its current capacity of 557 beds. In the first quarter of 2009, the Jail was capped at 460 inmates due to inadequate funding for additional staff.

In 2011, Larimer County developed an improved system for tracking Average Daily Population to better match the target capacity of 460. This system captures current information and sends updates to administrators on a regular basis. The goal is to allow the Jail to operate more efficiently.

Average Daily Population (ADP) was slightly above the target of 460 for the first four months of 2011. Beginning in May, and continuing to the end of the year, ADP remained below the target, averaging 452 inmates per day.

What this chart shows: Inmate Population by Jail Status - Larimer County Jail, 2011

Inmate Population by Jail Status - Larimer County Jail, 2011

Data Source: Larimer County Criminal Justice Administration (data not available online)

See data table

What the above data tell us:

Based on a monthly average, there were 174 inmates, or 38.5% of inmate population, serving a jail sentence. Inmates were more likely to be awaiting a sentencing hearing (47.8% on pretrial status), than any other status. Of the total population, 13.7% had a 'Hold' placed by some criminal justice agency, such as the Department of Corrections or Probation. 'Hold' status typically means that the inmate has violated a term of supervision and is awaiting disciplinary action, such as a parole hold, or that the inmate is being held in custody while awaiting bed space in another residential facility, such as the Larimer County Community Corrections program.

Additional Information:

Related Information on COMPASS -

Other Resources -

Industry Standards or Targets:

Larimer County Jail conforms to the American Correctional Association and National Commission of Correctional Health Care standards.

Data Table:

Average Daily Population by Month - Larimer County Jail

2011

Average Daily Population

Target

Capacity

Jan

 476 460 557

Feb

 465 460 557

Mar

 469 460 557

Apr

 473 460 557

May

 454 460 557

Jun

 446 460 557

Jul

 450 460 557

Aug

 459 460 557

Sep

 450 460 557

Oct

 455 460 557

Nov

 458 460 557

Dec

 446 460 557

See chart

Inmate Population by Jail Status - Larimer County Jail

2011

Average Monthly Number*

Percentage

Pretrial

 216 47.8%

Sentenced

 174 38.5%

Hold

 62 13.7%

Total

 452 100.0%

*Based on 7 months of data in 2011

See chart