Colorado passes law tightening strip-search procedures after jail official’s misconduct
A new Colorado statute now restricts when jails may conduct strip searches and limits staff access to related video recordings after a jail commander improperly viewed dozens of videos.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis approved legislation that narrows the circumstances under which jails may perform strip searches, limiting them to intake, reasonable suspicion of concealed contraband, or after events such as an overdose. The measure also mandates that any staff member seeking to view body-camera footage of a strip search must obtain written permission and record the justification for access. The bill was spurred by the arrest of former La Plata County Jail commander Edward Aber, who allegedly logged into the evidence system thousands of times to watch videos of incarcerated women.
Survivors like Suzanne Garcia and Katrina Lile, along with the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Sexual Violence Prevention Association, collaborated with lawmakers to shape the policy. Representatives Katie Stewart and Javier Mabrey introduced the proposal, which passed the state House and was signed in May. The new rules apply only to Colorado jails, not state prisons, and include provisions for monitoring compliance.
Why it matters
It safeguards incarcerated women’s privacy and curbs abuse of surveillance footage in Colorado jails.
In this story
