Improving Healthcare for Coloradans in the Criminal Justice System

Between 70%-90% of the approximately 100,000 people in Colorado that are on parole, probation, or in prisons or jails do not have health care coverage. Upon release, a lack of access correlates with higher rates of recidivism, and parolees may lack access to treatment for addiction or mental health issues. The Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition , the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council and the Colorado Center on Law and Policy have formed a partnership to help overcome those health disparities by helping those in the criminal justice system access health care via Medicaid and other services made available as a result of The Affordable Care Act.

Maeve Conran spoke with Terri Hurst, Policy Coordinator with the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition.