Updated June 11, 2021

The La Plata County Jail is a 293-bed detention facility located in Durango, CO. The jail houses male and female detainees and inmates serving sentences for Colorado felony and misdemeanor charges. This is the largest detention center in Southwest Colorado, utilized by many area law enforcement agencies, the Federal Marshals, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The jail is located at 742 Turner Drive in Durango, off of highway 50 near highway 160. The phone number of the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office is (970) 247-1157.

Below, you’ll find detailed information pertaining to policies and programs of the La Plata County Jail. For the benefit of friends and family members, our team of Colorado criminal defense lawyers discusses the following topics:

• 1. Inmate Search in La Plata County
• 2. Bail Bonding
• 3. Durango Inmate Phone Calls
• 4. Prescription Medications
• 5. Spending Money Accounts
• 6. La Plata County Jail Visitation
• 7. Mail Policies
• 8. General Information about the Jail
• 9. Work Release
• 10. Property Release
• 11. Talk to a Defense Attorney
• 12. Inmate Locator

1. Inmate Search in La Plata County

You can locate a La Plata County inmate by calling the jail directly at (970) 247-1157 and providing either the name or birthdate of the individual in question. Through the automated telephone system, you can obtain bail bond information and the inmate’s identification number.

Alternatively, you can also use the Vinelink Search engine online for custody information. This national database provides custody status details about anyone detained by U.S. law enforcement, identifying subjects by name, birthdate, age, and race.

2. Posting Bond in Durango

Most detainees are given the option to gain freedom from custody by posting a bail bond. Family or friends can provide a bail bond at the Sheriff’s Office, where there is a kiosk in the lobby that accepts funds 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The machine takes cash or credit cards. You can also post bond for a La Plata County jail detainee using this website: touchpaydirect.com.

Another way to pay an inmate’s bail bond is through a licensed bondsman. You can find many bonding agencies online or in your phone book. A bail bondsman will charge a percentage of the bond in fees, and then take care of posting bond for you.

Please be aware: any money or collateral property put up to pay an inmate’s bond will be forfeited if he or she does not show up for court, as ordered. For more information about bail bonding, see: How to post bail in Colorado.

3. Inmate Phone Calls

Inmates at the La Plata County jail are not allowed to take incoming calls from family and friends, but they can call out using the Securus service. The website is user friendly, allowing you to establish an account, deposit funds and purchase phone time. You can also call (800) 844-6591 to set up your Securus account. Fees will be charged for the phone service.

When the inmate has access to phones in the gathering room, he or she can call using the pre-purchased minutes. Unlimited calls are allowed for up to an hour’s time. Please note that all phone calls from the jail are subject to monitoring and recording. This means you should avoid discussing details about the inmate’s charges and avoid making any incriminating statements that can be used against him or her.

4. Medication for Inmates

Prescription medications can be dropped off by family and friends in the jail lobby. The lobby is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. All accepted medications will be verified current and must be presented in a sealed container provided by a pharmacy.

When you arrive in the jail lobby with medication for an inmate, please ask to speak to a facility nurse. The on-duty nurse determines acceptance of inmate medication on a case by case basis.

5. Cash Accounts for Durango Inmates

Inmates have the privilege of purchasing commissary items, such as special foods, some hygiene items, and limited entertainment items. You can provide funds for an inmate in one of three ways:

• Come in to the jail lobby – You can bring in a money order payable to the inmate, or use the kiosk machine in the lobby. The kiosk takes cash, credit and debit cards 24 hours a day.
• Mail in a Money Order – Send the money order to: (Inmate’s name), 742 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303. Cash should not be sent through the mail. Personal checks are not accepted.
• Go Online – At touchpaydirect.com, you can set up an account and deposit funds for an inmate to access at the jail. A service fee will be charged for all deposits. You can also make a deposit with Touchpay by calling (866) 232-1899.

Note that if the inmate has unpaid jail fees on the books, deposits for commissary are used toward this debt. Until the debt is paid, 60% of each deposit will be used to pay off the balance owed.

6. Visiting With a La Plata County Inmate

Visitation can take place at the jail or remotely using a video visitation system. In either case, be aware that visits are monitored and recorded.

To set up an account for a home video visit, go to Securus or call (800) 844-6591. Remote visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance on the website. These 25-minute visits will automatically start at the pre-scheduled time. The system will cancel the visit if you do not sign in within 5 minutes of the scheduled start time.

On-site visits at the jail should also be scheduled through the Securus website, and must be scheduled 48 hours ahead of time. You are limited to one 25-minute visit during a 24-hour period and no more than two visits a week. Note that all visits are subject to cancellation for an emergency or at the discretion of the sheriff’s office. Children must be under 2 to qualify as a lap guest.

The following are rules for visiting inmates at the La Plata County jail.

• Adult visitors must present appropriate photo identification.
• To avoid cancellation, please check in 10 minutes before your scheduled visit.
• Children under 18 years old must be in the company of an adult and may not be left unattended at any time during the visit.
• An inmate may speak with up to two visitors at a time. A child who sits on a visitor’s lap can also accompany adult visitors as an “extra.”
• Do not bring personal items into the visitation area. You may bring keys and identification, but leave behind purses, bags, cell phones, and electronic devices.
• Once you leave the visitation booth, your visit will be terminated.
• You are expected to wear proper attire to obtain entry. This means no midriff-baring shirts, short shorts, tube tops or spaghetti straps.
• Loud, disruptive, or provocative behavior will terminate the visit immediately. This behavior may result in denial of future visitation.
• Damaging or defacing equipment or property will lead to prosecution.

7. Mail for Inmates

Address mail for a Durango inmate to:

Inmate’s name

742 Turner Drive

Durango, CO 81303

All incoming and outgoing mail will be inspected. Other than a letter, there are only two items that may be enclosed in an envelope addressed to a La Plata County inmate: money orders in the inmate’s name or photographs. Note that photos must be on photo paper — no polaroids or computer print-outs are accepted.

You may not send postcards or greeting cards to inmates. Writing materials and postage can be purchased through commissary. Do not send an inmate stamps.

If you would like to send newspapers or books, these can be ordered for direct delivery from the publisher/vendor. Books should be softcover and brand new, addressed to the inmate’s name at the jail address.

8. Life at the Jail

The La Plata County detention facility embraces the “Direct Supervision” concept, seeking to instill compliant behavior from all inmates. The inmate’s needs are attended to while a high level of security is maintained.

Counseling, drug and alcohol therapy, and educational opportunities are offered, as well as inmate worker programs and the opportunity to participate in Work Release.

Because the La Plata County jail tends to be overcrowded, they have instigated an Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) division. As dictated by the court, defendants may be assigned pre-trial, home-based supervision, and may serve some detention through the community custody program. These programs involve daily or weekly contact, electronic home monitoring, and alcohol/drug testing. Defendants pay fees to participate in this program, including a $50 set up fee and a daily or monthly fee. The inmate must have a local residence to qualify for ATI.

9. Work Release

If recommended by a judge, inmates may be allowed to participate in a Work Release program. Work release allows inmates to leave the jail up to 12 hours a day, 6 days a week in pursuit of verified employment within La Plata County. The program is for non-violent misdemeanor and low-level felony offenders with a minimum sentence of 10 days.

To participate, you must call (970) 247-1161 at least seven days prior to the start of the jail sentence. Participation is subject to application and approval by jail staff.

10. Inmate Property

The jail will confiscate and store an inmate’s property when he or she is incarcerated in the La Plata County detention facility. The property can be picked up by friend or family member if a property release form has been signed. Valid photo identification must be presented in the lobby for property pick-up. You can pick up inmate property Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m.

11. Talk to a Criminal Lawyer

Representing people arrested for all types of crimes, the experienced criminal attorneys at the Colorado Legal Defense Group have a strong record of success. In many cases, we can help you beat the charges, avoid harsh penalties, and maintain your freedom and reputation. If you or a loved one has been arrested in Colorado, please call (303) 222-0330 or contact us online today to arrange a free consultation.