It is the duty of all the officers and other citizens of the state, by every means in their power, to suppress any insurrection among the inmates sentenced to any correctional facilities under the supervision of the executive director and to prevent the escape or rescue of any such inmate therefrom, or from any other legal confinement, or from any person in whose legal custody such inmate may be. If, in so doing or in arresting any inmate who may have escaped, such officer or other person wounds or kills such inmate or other person aiding or assisting such inmate, such officer or other person shall be justified and held guiltless; but such officer or other person shall not be excused for using greater force than the emergency of the case demands.
Source: L. 77: Entire title R&RE, p. 922, § 10, effective August 1. L. 79: Entire section amended, p. 696, § 54, effective July 1. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 51, § 10, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 27-20-123 as it existed prior to 1977.
Cross references: For authority of a peace officer to enlist the services of a private citizen and the liability of said person in performing such service, see § 16-3-202; for authority of sheriffs to command aid, see § 30-10-516.
Structure Colorado Code
Article 20 - Correctional Facilities
§ 17-20-101. State Institutions
§ 17-20-102. Administration of Correctional Facilities - Wardens - Reports
§ 17-20-103. Wardens and Others - Conservators of Peace
§ 17-20-112. Wardens Shall Record Infractions
§ 17-20-115. Persons to Perform Labor
§ 17-20-122. Justification of Officer
§ 17-20-123. Insurrection - Duty of Citizens
§ 17-20-124. Visitors at Correctional Facilities
§ 17-20-129. Food Donations to Nonprofit Organizations Encouraged