The Beacon program at Skyline Correctional Center in Colorado has been a beacon of hope for many inmates, offering them the chance to transform their lives through education and rehabilitation. This program is essential as it provides inmates with the necessary tools to reintegrate into society successfully upon their release. According to the National Institute of Justice, educational programs like The Beacon can reduce recidivism by up to 43%. However, this vital program is under threat due to potential budget cuts.

The Beacon at Skyline has become more than a prison. It has become a community and a family. It has become a facility focused on true rehabilitation and breaking the dangerous and ineffective norms of prison. It has given many people hope. Residents in this facility are treated with respect and are given the space and support to make real and lasting change. Many families, volunteers, and corrections officers have seen firsthand how much impact this program has had on the inmates housed at The Beacon, and how much they have changed for the better during their time there. Not only does this improve their lives, but it improves our lives and improves the safety of the community at large.

On January 9, 2025, CDOC staff informed residents of The Beacon at Skyline that they intend on “relocating” and “expanding” the program. Although this initially sounds promising, there are several negative implications of a move such as this. 

The proposed relocation of The Beacon at Skyline raises deep concerns that cannot be ignored. The current location at Skyline is integral to the program’s success. Unlike traditional prison environments, Skyline provides a space where residents can maintain their humanity and dignity. With single rooms, a cafeteria, and access to outdoor spaces, Skyline offers a rehabilitative atmosphere that fosters respect and personal growth. Additionally, the visitation setup at Skyline encourages meaningful family connections, which are critical in reducing post-incarceration syndrome. Relocating the program to distant facilities like Delta or Rifle would create significant geographical barriers for families, undermining these crucial relationships and jeopardizing the program’s rehabilitative mission.

Safety and staff dynamics also underscore the importance of keeping The Beacon at Skyline. The program’s residents and staff share mutual respect, a rarity in the correctional system. The staff at Skyline treat residents as individuals, fostering an environment of collaboration and trust, essential for rehabilitation. Relocating the program risks losing this unique dynamic, as correctional officers at other facilities may not share the same philosophy. Furthermore, the integration of Beacon residents with other prison populations would introduce significant safety risks, as the program’s privileges and structure might provoke resentment and retaliation from other inmates. Coupled with the likelihood of retraumatizing residents by exposing them to the violence and instability of traditional prisons, this move threatens to undo the program’s progress. The Beacon at Skyline is a rare success story in corrections, and its preservation is essential for the well-being of its residents and the integrity of its mission.

We urge our elected officials to fight against the Colorado Department of Corrections' proposal to move this program to a facility that is not equipped for it; a move that will end this program. The Colorado Department of Corrections is making a hasty and unplanned decision that will have detrimental consequences for the residents of this facility and their loved ones. 

https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2025/01/12/family-sounds-alarm-over-potential-southern-colorado-correctional-facility-move/