As the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged jails and prisons throughout Colorado, facilities like the Pueblo County Detention Center have been largely unable to accept new inmates.
As a result of several changes, many criminals can repeat their crimes again and again without fear of spending time behind bars, according to law enforcement officers.
Since March 24, the 10th Judicial District of Pueblo has had a court order in place to limit overcrowding in the jail, intended to help suppress COVID-19 among personnel and inmates.
The order allows law enforcement to use discretion when choosing whether to arrest and book some criminal suspects involved in civil, misdemeanor, traffic or petty offenses.