Learn More
Utah's Prison Population Growth
How You Can Help
Even with this preparation, returns to prison remain high.
Over 60% of inmates released from Utah's prisons return and most return within the first year of parole.
The National Prison Growth Rate exceeds the Crime Rate.
Since 1970 "Get Tough on Crime" laws and longer prison sentences have dramatically increased prison populations from Less than 500,000 in 1970 to over 2,000,000 today (nationally). During the same period crime rates have dropped.
Prison costs are thru the roof!
It costs $24,000 per year to keep an inmate in prison. Recidivism averages 65% in Utah. 324 new beds needed each year. The average cost increase per year is $7,776,000.
Public Concern Must Shift.
Public concern has focused on the type and number of people being sent to prison. We must now focus on re-entry to the community.
Utah Re-entry Initiative - Offender Management Plan
Preparing offenders to return to the community means focusing on success, programming (Substance Abuse, etc), and a Positive Behavior Rewards System which mirrors community life and rewards good behavior. It also means that community supervision needs to be focused on success and involve community organizations.
Community Corrections vs. Community Policing
Over 95% of incarcerated offenders will be re-entering the community. Only $2,000 per year to supervise in the community.
We Need Your Help
We Need Your HelpCompared to those housed in our institutions, almost three times that number of offenders are being supervised in communities like yours (Over 13,800).
What Can You Do to Help With Offender Education?
Help is needed with offender education, tutoring, scholarships, assistance with obtaining education, life skills assistance, or anything to help the offenders reach a level of education that enables them to be stable and productive.
What Can You Do to Help With Offender Employment?
An offender that is gainfully employed has less incentive to commit crime. Help is needed with apprenticeships, training, and job skills development. A supervising agent will work closely with you to ensure your success as well as that of the offender.
What Can You Do to Help With Community Integration?
If the offender feels accepted and supported, the need to look to former habits and inappropriate friends decreases. You can help them to access services and to become contributing citizens. Faith-based support is also very helpful.
Our Commitment to You Includes the support and commitment of a highly trained agent who, with you, will help to create a plan that is successful. This includes access to the agent for questions and assistance, close monitoring of the offender's progress, and public information related to their offense no surprises.