Blab Entertainment
Cheyenne Sheriff Seeks Approval to Let Discovery Channel Film Inside Laramie County Jail
The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office has formally asked the county board for clearance to host a Discovery Channel reality‑TV crew inside the county’s detention center. The request follows a recent site visit by producers who were eager to showcase the jail’s daily operations to a national audience.
In a letter dated Tuesday, Sheriff Brian Kozak highlighted the facility’s proactive programs for mentally ill inmates and its distinctive cowboy‑themed culture as reasons the series would portray the jail in a positive light. He noted that the crew had praised the deputies’ use of cowboy hats—a tradition the sheriff said the team appreciated.
"I’ve had a lot of shows ask about coming here to film and I’ve turned them all down until now. I feel good about this one," Kozak told the Cowboy State Daily. He added that the program could help the department recruit on a national level.
The series, which debuted in January, follows a film crew inside county jails across the United States for five days to produce a 45‑minute episode. Season one features facilities in Washington, Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia, and Nevada, which together house more than half a million inmates. The show holds a 7.1 rating on IMDB and high scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
A neon "Vacancy" sign, installed 18 months ago, has drawn national attention. Kozak says the sign signals that the jail has space and that the sheriff’s office is actively seeking fugitives. The sign is visible from downtown Cheyenne, across from the county courthouse.
The Board of Commissioners has not yet granted permission. Chairman Gunner Malm said the board would allow public comment before deciding and that the issue was tabled until the next meeting, which could be on June 30 or July 7. A formal public notice will be issued.
The filming request comes amid a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Wyoming and three local organizations. The suit alleges that Sheriff Kozak exceeded statutory authority by entering into three 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of the sheriff’s "Truck Around and Find Out" sweeps of unsafe and illegal drivers. The ACLU claims the agreements bypassed the county’s democratic oversight mechanisms.
Kozak has stated the department will not comment on pending claims. When asked whether the commissioners would approve the filming request, he said, "I don’t know."
If approved, the episode would air later this summer on Hulu, Discovery Plus and HBO Max. The production company, Blue Titanium Media, is a registered Wyoming business and meets state legal requirements for filming in the county.
The sheriff said no additional safety precautions would be needed for the crew. He noted that all jail employees and inmates would need to sign waivers to appear on the show, but mentally ill patients would be excluded from signing due to health and privacy concerns.
The show’s focus on the humanistic side of jail operations aligns with Kozak’s description of the program. "When a deputy tries to help an inmate get out of a particular situation that they’re in jail for, and connect them to the right community resources, it shows that the staff is really doing the best that they can," he said.
The Laramie County Detention Center’s unique blend of cowboy culture and modern correctional practices has attracted interest from other sheriffs who have participated in the series. Kozak said he would oversee filming to ensure the county is accurately represented.
The outcome of the commissioners’ vote remains uncertain, and the ongoing ACLU lawsuit adds legal complexity to the situation. The next board meeting will determine whether the county can host a national television production inside its jail.
The decision will also affect the sheriff’s ongoing efforts to recruit staff and maintain public confidence in the county’s correctional system while navigating the broader debate over local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration enforcement.
The episode, if filmed, would provide viewers with an unfiltered look at the day‑to‑day operations of a Wyoming county jail, highlighting both the challenges and the human stories within the facility.
The Laramie County Board of Commissioners is expected to release a decision by the end of July, after which the sheriff’s office will proceed with or without the filming arrangement.
The case illustrates the intersection of media exposure, law enforcement policy, and civil‑rights litigation in a small‑town context, and it will be closely watched by stakeholders across the state and beyond.
In a letter dated Tuesday, Sheriff Brian Kozak highlighted the facility’s proactive programs for mentally ill inmates and its distinctive cowboy‑themed culture as reasons the series would portray the jail in a positive light. He noted that the crew had praised the deputies’ use of cowboy hats—a tradition the sheriff said the team appreciated.
"I’ve had a lot of shows ask about coming here to film and I’ve turned them all down until now. I feel good about this one," Kozak told the Cowboy State Daily. He added that the program could help the department recruit on a national level.
The series, which debuted in January, follows a film crew inside county jails across the United States for five days to produce a 45‑minute episode. Season one features facilities in Washington, Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia, and Nevada, which together house more than half a million inmates. The show holds a 7.1 rating on IMDB and high scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
A neon "Vacancy" sign, installed 18 months ago, has drawn national attention. Kozak says the sign signals that the jail has space and that the sheriff’s office is actively seeking fugitives. The sign is visible from downtown Cheyenne, across from the county courthouse.
The Board of Commissioners has not yet granted permission. Chairman Gunner Malm said the board would allow public comment before deciding and that the issue was tabled until the next meeting, which could be on June 30 or July 7. A formal public notice will be issued.
The filming request comes amid a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Wyoming and three local organizations. The suit alleges that Sheriff Kozak exceeded statutory authority by entering into three 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of the sheriff’s "Truck Around and Find Out" sweeps of unsafe and illegal drivers. The ACLU claims the agreements bypassed the county’s democratic oversight mechanisms.
Kozak has stated the department will not comment on pending claims. When asked whether the commissioners would approve the filming request, he said, "I don’t know."
If approved, the episode would air later this summer on Hulu, Discovery Plus and HBO Max. The production company, Blue Titanium Media, is a registered Wyoming business and meets state legal requirements for filming in the county.
The sheriff said no additional safety precautions would be needed for the crew. He noted that all jail employees and inmates would need to sign waivers to appear on the show, but mentally ill patients would be excluded from signing due to health and privacy concerns.
The show’s focus on the humanistic side of jail operations aligns with Kozak’s description of the program. "When a deputy tries to help an inmate get out of a particular situation that they’re in jail for, and connect them to the right community resources, it shows that the staff is really doing the best that they can," he said.
The Laramie County Detention Center’s unique blend of cowboy culture and modern correctional practices has attracted interest from other sheriffs who have participated in the series. Kozak said he would oversee filming to ensure the county is accurately represented.
The outcome of the commissioners’ vote remains uncertain, and the ongoing ACLU lawsuit adds legal complexity to the situation. The next board meeting will determine whether the county can host a national television production inside its jail.
The decision will also affect the sheriff’s ongoing efforts to recruit staff and maintain public confidence in the county’s correctional system while navigating the broader debate over local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration enforcement.
The episode, if filmed, would provide viewers with an unfiltered look at the day‑to‑day operations of a Wyoming county jail, highlighting both the challenges and the human stories within the facility.
The Laramie County Board of Commissioners is expected to release a decision by the end of July, after which the sheriff’s office will proceed with or without the filming arrangement.
The case illustrates the intersection of media exposure, law enforcement policy, and civil‑rights litigation in a small‑town context, and it will be closely watched by stakeholders across the state and beyond.
