GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Ten inmates were illegally incarcerated for up to five months in that county’s jails instead of being released into community corrections programs, according to Mesa County Chief Judge David Bottger.
As of Feb. 15, all 10 of the inmates were to remain out of jail pending their entry into the community corrections programs, which had left the inmates in jail for “disciplinary proceedings,” The Daily Sentinel reported Thursday. The sentencing judge must review the inmates’ detention to determine if probable cause exists.
“While there may be valid reasons for their incarceration, it is unacceptable that there has been no notification or judicial review of it,” Bottger wrote.
Dennis Berry, director of the Criminal Justice Services Department, did not return calls to the Sentinel.
County Administrator Jon Peacock said they have launched an internal review, and county officials should meet with Bottger later this week.
Defense attorneys have been notified. Grand Junction’s Public Defender Office has filed motions for its clients to be released from jail.
