Diversion

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Overview

Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 17-27-104, ComCor’s Diversion program provides correctional and treatment services for individuals convicted of a felony who are sentenced by the courts to serve a community corrections sentence as an alternative to a prison sentence. These offenders are under the jurisdiction of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice, the Colorado Judicial Department, Division of Probation, and the El Paso County Community Corrections Board.

The typical Diversion client is sentenced to ComCor from one to eight years, but no longer than 12 years. Upon completion of the residential phase of the Diversion program, which is a minimum of 210 days, clients are transferred to the non-residential Diversion program to complete their sentence.

ComCor’s Diversion program complies with all applicable Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice “Colorado Community Corrections Standards,” as required. The program also complies with all applicable American Correctional Association “Adult Community Residential Standards,” as required.

Eligibility

Eligibility for placement in ComCor’s Diversion program is based on the acceptance criteria set by the El Paso County Community Corrections Board through the El Paso County Department of Justice Services. The Board’s criteria for ComCor’s Diversion program can be found on their Website or the Offender Placement PDF.

ComCor considers Diversion placements based on eligibility criteria and individual case factors that are considered when a referral is received from the courts and the El Paso County Department of Justice Services. The Diversion program will accept an offender only if a court order has been issued specifying the offender’s sentence to ComCor.

Referral Process

Referrals to ComCor’s Diversion program are initiated by the courts, probation departments, public defender’s office and private attorneys, and are then sent to the Department of Justice Services for initial processing. The referrals are then forwarded to ComCor’s Diversion program for a decision and disposition. Additional information on the referral process to ComCor’s Diversion program can be found on the Department of Justice Service’s Web site.

Program Information

Clients participating in ComCor’s Diversion program are assigned a case manager and a thorough assessment is conducted utilizing the state’s Standardized Offender Assessment-Revised assessment battery. A vocational needs screen is conducted on each client to determine if a more thorough vocational assessment is necessary. A mental health screen is also conducted on each client at the time of admission to identify any immediate mental health needs or issues that need to be addressed.

The case manager collaborates with ComCor’s mental health/treatment and vocational staff to develop an individualized supervision plan for each offender, which outlines program outcomes and behavioral expectations for the client. This supervision plan is based on each client’s unique criminogenic needs and risk factors.

Upon reaching a level of individual stability, clients are expected to participate in treatment groups and may include life skills classes and/or vocational classes, while they are at ComCor. Clients in the Diversion program are monitored for alcohol and drug use and are required to be accountable twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. They are required to meet regularly with their assigned case manager to discuss progress toward objectives identified in their individualized supervision plan and to address problems that may be impinging on their individual reintegration within the community.

Clients are required to maintain employment while in the Diversion program and, through an Offender Funds Management system, ComCor assists clients in establishing a savings plan, paying restitution, court-ordered costs, child support and other legal obligations, to include mandatory payment towards program room and board fees. The Offender Funds Management program includes the opportunity for clients to participate in Money Management classes, which assists clients not only in managing their funds, but also in developing individualized budgets that address fiscal obligations while in the program.

Contacts:

Senior Program Manager
Jarle C. Wood
719.473.4460 ext. 31

Facilities:

ComCor Diversion Facility
3950 North Nevada Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
719.260.8002
Click for map

Participant Information

What to bring:	Clients should bring copies of all their relevant court and sentencing paperwork, personal clothing items, prescriptions (must be in original prescription container and properly labeled) and necessary personal hygiene items. The total value of personal property brought to the program cannot exceed $300. All of the program participant’s personal property will be inventoried and will be subject to search at any time. Any substances containing alcohol are prohibited.
Orientation process:	Clients undergo a thorough orientation process, which gives information on the following items. locations of ComCor facilities and programs mental health treatment and vocational services available rules and regulations accountability requirements (including signing in and out procedures), passes (including work and job-hunting passes) monitoring and testing requirements for drugs and alcohol prohibited contraband items daily facility chores and room inspections safety procedures dining services room and board requirements employment requirements personal responsibility for medical care other information that is relevant to the client’s participation in ComCor’s program.
Location:	ComCor Diversion Facility 3950 North Nevada Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719.260.8002 Click for map
Fees:	Clients are required to pay $17 per day for room and board (subsistence fees). This fee for the Diversion program are set by state statues. Other fees may be assigned to the client depending on circumstances. The facility will have a complete summary of fees.
Visiting Hours:	Daily from 12 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Diversion clients are generally allowed to have one visit Monday through Thursday and one visit Friday through Sunday of each week.

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