Two Inmates Killed, Another Injured as Colorado Prisons Suspend Visits Statewide

The Colorado Department of Corrections suspended visitation at all state prison facilities after two inmates were killed and another was injured in a late-night incident at a southern Colorado prison.

The incident happened Saturday evening at the Bent County Correctional Facility in Las Animas, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Officials announced around 2:30 a.m. Sunday that visitation would be suspended statewide “out of an abundance of caution” while investigators respond to what the department described as an isolated incident at one facility.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the Department has temporarily suspended statewide visitation while supporting an ongoing investigation into an isolated incident at one facility,” the DOC said in a statement to CBS Colorado. “There are no known threats to the surrounding communities at this time.”

The department said visits across the entire system are suspended until further notice. Families and friends of inmates were told not to travel to prisons while the suspension remains in effect.

“This is a proactive measure to support our staff and those in our custody, and maintain a secure environment,” the statement continued. “We understand the impact this has on families, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”

No staff members were injured in the incident, officials said.

The Bent County facility has been placed on lockdown as the investigation continues. Local law enforcement and state officials are working with DOC personnel to determine what happened.

Officials have not released details about what led to the deaths or how the third inmate was injured. The names of the two inmates who died are being withheld until their families are notified.

The Bent County Correctional Facility is located in Las Animas, about 85 miles east of Pueblo. According to the DOC, it opened in 1993 as Colorado’s first private correctional facility.

CoreCivic purchased the facility from Bent County in 1996 and currently owns and operates it. The prison is a Level III facility that primarily houses medium-custody inmates.