Offenders are offered activities, programs, and services to provide for their religious educational and spiritual needs.

The Chaplains

Chaplains provide offenders with ecclesiastical counseling and non-denominational services. The chaplains are part-time staff members of the Department and assist both staff and offenders with crisis intervention and during personal and family problems. Chaplains are a resource for religious knowledge to staff, offenders and volunteers. They provide additional assistance by establishing ongoing relationships with community religious leaders; having direct contact with offenders through consultations, programs and services; evaluating needs of offenders and deciding the best sources available to meet those needs; answering questions regarding religious programs (services, symbols, reading material); and being a source for mediation (emergencies, deaths, fights, injuries) for staff and inmates.

Religious Programs

Offenders under the jurisdiction of the Utah Department of Corrections represent more than two dozen different religions. In order to meet each offender's religious educational and spiritual needs, a variety of activities, programs and services are provided. Currently available for offender participation are worship services, scripture study courses, religious educational courses, choir, prayer services, religious-based addiction recovery groups, (LDS) Family Home Evening groups, (LDS) Family History Center, (Native American) Sweat Lodge and Pipe ceremonies, and Sidda Yoga Meditation.