Bent County Adds Prison Beds

LAS ANIMAS - The 720-bed expansion project at the Bent County Correctional facility is complete, officials said Friday.

Warden Brigham Sloan said the estimated $44 million construction project, which almost doubled the capacity of the facility, has added two new housing units for inmates.

The facility, which is owned by Corrections Corporation of America, has increased its capacity to 1,466 beds.

Sloan, who took over as warden last year, said most of the project was finished by the first week of April.

"Everything else fell into place this month," Sloan said. "We are very excited about having the beds available for the state of Colorado. Our staff is excited to see what we have been able to accomplish for our partners (state of Colorado)."

In 2006, the Department of Corrections awarded contracts for 2,220 additional prison beds to handle a rising inmate population.

The plan included the expansion of the Bent County Correctional Facility.

The facility, which is a medium-security prison for men, previously had 746 beds in general population and a segregation unit.

Sloan said the expansion includes a new medical unit, additional educational and vocational areas and a new gymnasium.
Pueblo Chieftain