Daria Serna, Danielle Lewis, and Carrie Sisk
The Denver Sheriff Department (DSD) has marked a historic milestone by reintroducing the in-person visitation program and launching the groundbreaking clothing project at the Denver County Jail (COJL). These transformative programs humanize the visitation experience for individuals in custody and their loved ones.
A Vision Years in the Making
The return of in-person visitations resulted from years of strategic planning, collaboration, and perseverance. Although the program officially relaunched in May 2024, its origins trace back to December 2017, when a dedicated workgroup of internal and external stakeholders began exploring the feasibility of reinstating face-to-face visits.
The overall project took vision, planning, and patience, extending to the COJL lobby, in-person visitation waiting room, and the visitation area. Construction began in July 2022; the lobby was completed just three months later, while the in-person waiting and meeting rooms took nearly a year to renovate. The program rolled out slowly, initially offering in-person visits to those with low-level charges.
A Space That Fosters Relationships
The overall design of the visitation room radiates warmth and positivity, creating a welcoming, vibrant, and uplifting atmosphere. Soft, soothing colors—like calming blues, gentle greens, and warm earth tones—wash over the space, promoting a sense of peace and comfort. Expansive and airy, the room features a high ceiling that rises 20 feet, giving it an open, breathable feel. Scattered throughout the space are round tables and sturdy, comfortable chairs arranged to encourage conversation and connection.
For families with children, there are cozy, semi-private rooms designed with playful touches and child-friendly furnishings, offering a more intimate and relaxed setting.
The walls are adorned with stunning murals—dynamic, colorful works of art created by local artists as part of the city’s public art program. These murals stretch from floor to ceiling, transforming the towering walls into vibrant storytelling canvases that reflect the community’s spirit, resilience, and hope.
It was important for the Denver Public Art selection panel that the artists chosen for this project had a connection with the incarcerated community.
The three murals were created by artists Marissa Napoletano and Sean J. Marshall. Intended to support the much-needed connection between people serving their short sentences and their loved ones, these murals symbolize interconnection and unity, hope for the future, and growth. The artists selected symbols such as the ginkgo plant, which embodies growth and healing, face silhouettes representing the past, present and future in harmony as well as interconnectivity, and hands surrounded by doves, which signify hope and peace.
Introducing the In-Person Visitation Clothing Project—Leading with our Humanity
Building on the momentum of reinstituting in-person visitations, the In-Person Visitation Clothing Project was launched just one year later. The primary objective of this project is to provide individuals in custody with non-institutional, everyday clothing to wear during in-person visits, creating a more welcoming experience for all involved.
Sheriff Elias Diggins, inspired by the Netflix documentary “Daughters,” was compelled to reduce the stigma often associated with incarceration. “This initiative helps maintain and strengthen familial bonds by further normalizing the visitation experience,” said Sheriff Diggins. “We know that seeing family and friends face-to-face is a privilege. We hope as people leave our custody, they become productive members of society, and this connection continues when they go home.” This line of thinking reflects the department’s commitment to the “Dual Mindset”—embracing humanity within every action, fueled by an understanding that the deprivation of a person’s freedom is their punishment.
It Takes a Village
The clothing program was made possible through a meaningful partnership with Goodwill of Colorado, spearheaded by Denver Councilwoman Shontel M. Lewis. Goodwill provides the clothing that individuals in custody change into prior to their visits. “This partnership is about more than clothing—it’s about restoring dignity, strengthening family bonds, and reminding people that no matter their circumstances, they deserve to be seen with humanity,” said Councilwoman Lewis. “Creating a space where individuals can connect with their loved ones without the stigma of a jumpsuit helps nurture the hope, healing, and real second chances they deserve.” Pictured below are Safety Executive Director Armando Saldate, Goodwill Central Park Store Manager Sherri Tomerlin, Councilwoman Shontel M. Lewis, and Sheriff Elias Diggins.
A Holistic Approach to Successful Reentry
Together, the revitalized visitation program and the clothing initiative prioritize human dignity, emotional well-being, and the power of connection. “We know that seeing family and friends face-to-face is a privilege,” Sheriff Diggins asserted. “We hope that as people leave our custody, they become productive members of society, and that these connections continue to support them when they return home.” The DSD’s efforts underscore a broader commitment to fostering environments that support successful community reentry and, in turn, reduce recidivism.
Looking Ahead: A Model for Modern Corrections
The forward-thinking initiatives of the Denver Sheriff Department are more than operational improvements—they reflect of a deeper cultural shift toward compassion, equity, and restorative justice. By reimagining what visitations look like, and investing in the dignity of those in custody, the DSD is setting a powerful example for correctional systems nationwide. These programs remind us that, even within the walls of incarceration, humanity can—and must—prevail.
This visitation space is one of only a handful like it in the entire United States—a rare and compassionate model that reimagines what connection can look like within correctional settings. It stands as a powerful testament to what’s possible when dignity, humanity, and healing are placed at the heart of justice. We hope that other sheriff and correctional departments across the country will be inspired to explore and adopt this transformative approach—creating more spaces where families can reconnect, where children can feel safe, and where hope can take root, even in the most challenging circumstances.
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Daria Serna is the Director of Marketing & Communications of the Denver Sheriff’s Department. She oversees the team and all internal and external marketing and communications. For more information, she can be contacted at Daria.Serna@denvergov.org
Carrie Sisk is the Digital Content Specialist at the Denver Sheriff’s Department. She manages intra- and inter-departmental digital marketing and communications. For more information, she can be contacted at carrie.sisk@denvergov.org
Danielle Lewis is the Visual Content Specialist at the Denver Sheriff’s Department. She supports internal and external communications through visual text and imagery concepts. For more information, she can be contacted at Danielle.lewis@denvergov.org
