Utah State Prison Orientation for Inmate Friends and Family

DAILY ROUTINES

Q.        What is a typical day for inmates?
A.        Most level 3 and 4 inmates wake up between 6 and 7a.m.  Inmates are expected to have their cell clean, and their personal hygiene taken care of.  Inmates are given an opportunity for breakfast and then are expected to go to their work or schooling assignment.

Officers count the inmates between 11:00 a.m. and noon, and the inmates are offered lunch.  After lunch, inmates are expected to return to their work or schooling assignment.  If inmates do not have a work assignment, they will usually stay in their housing unit.

Officers count the inmates again between 4 and 5 p.m. and then the inmates are offered dinner.  In the evening, inmates are either locked in their cell based upon their privilege matrix level or permitted opportunity for leisure, recreation or therapy.  The latest the inmates are secured in their cells is 10 p.m.

Q.        What can inmates do in their free time for leisure activities?
A.        Under specific conditions inmates have access to a variety of leisure time activities such as gymnasium, outdoor recreational yard, library, and rental television.

The Prison's recreation department schedules a variety of recreational games, competitions and tournaments.  The recreational department also arranges different hobby craft classes.  The Prisons library system is part of the Utah State Library System.  Inmates have access to most books that are available to people outside of Prison.

Inmates can lease a portable television from the Prison at nominal cost.  These televisions can only be heard on a headset so other inmates are not bothered.  Inmates can view movies at specific times and days on their television set.

Q.        Where can inmates work?
A.        Inmates can work in their housing unit or facility, outside the perimeter fence or off Prison property depending on their classification level.  There are clerical, culinary, grounds, janitorial, laundry, maintenance, manufacturing, and sewing, jobs available.

Q.        What therapeutic opportunities are available?
A.        The Prison's programming unit offers many therapeutic opportunities such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, other substance abuse classes, sex offender therapy, anger management, cognitive reconstructing, art/drawing classes, Bible study, and many other programs. Inmates have the responsibility to participate in therapeutic groups, especially if it is part of their Offender Management Plan.  Their participation is considered by the Prison for classification decisions, and by the Board of Pardons and Parole when determining the inmate release date.

Q.        What type of religious counseling is available at the Prison?
A.        The religious needs of inmates at each facility are addressed through the Volunteer/Chaplain services program.  There are full and part-time chaplains who provide ministerial care to the entire Prison community.  They encourage inmates to stay in touch with their particular faith by offering pastoral counsel and guidance.  Some of the religious groups represented are Episcopal, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, Jewish, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Native American.  Religious volunteers may serve other groups. Religious and inspirational books are also available to inmates throughout the Prison's library system.