DOJ Launches Civil Rights Investigation into Colorado Correctional Facilities

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a civil investigation into the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Colorado Department of Youth Services (DYS) to assess whether inmates and youths are receiving their rights under the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated, "We are committed to upholding our federal civil rights laws so that no one is subject to unconstitutional mistreatment when held in state custody."

This investigation follows reports highlighting issues within Colorado's correctional facilities. Between 2023 and 2025, staff at Colorado’s juvenile detention centers violated strip-search policies over 1,000 times in a nine-month period. The vast majority of these searches did not reveal any contraband, raising concerns about the justification and oversight of such invasive procedures.

In one instance, five youths in a detention center were strip-searched because one of them might have been charging a vape pen in a computer classroom. In another case, a 14-year-old boy was held in a room by himself for more than 10 hours until he consented to a strip search.

The DOJ's investigation is conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), which authorizes the department to address patterns or practices that violate the constitutional rights of individuals in state or local institutions.

The investigation underscores the importance of safeguarding the rights of incarcerated individuals, including juveniles. It highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to constitutional standards within correctional facilities. The findings could lead to policy reforms and improved conditions for inmates and youths in custody.

Similar investigations have been conducted in the past, leading to significant reforms in correctional facilities. However, the recurrence of such issues indicates ongoing challenges in ensuring the rights and well-being of incarcerated individuals.

The DOJ's investigation into Colorado's correctional facilities highlights critical concerns regarding the treatment of inmates and youths in custody. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for policy reforms and the protection of civil rights within the state's correctional system.