Utah State Prison Orientation for Inmate Friends and Family

GENERAL INFORMATION

Q.        Where do inmates live?
A.        Inmates can live in one of the State's two Prison sites, or in one of several County jails that has qualified to house State inmates.  Inmates are housed based on their gender, classification and security levels, employment status, and habilitative opportunities, as well as the facilities space availability and management issues.  In most cases, inmates are not segregated because of their offense(s).

The two Prison sites are the Utah State Prison in Draper, and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison.  The Draper complex consists of eight facilities: Lone Peak, Olympus, Oquirrh, Promontory, Special Services Dormitory (SSD), Timpanogos, Wasatch, and Uinta.  The Gunnison complex consists of five facilities named Aspen, Birch, Cedar, Dogwood, and Gunnison.  Most facilities have several housing units.  The Inmate Placement Program (IPP) places inmates in the Beaver, Box Elder, Cache, Carbon, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Garfield, Grand, Kane, Millard, Sanpete, Sevier, San Juan, Summit, Uintah, Wasatch, and Washington county jails.

In addition, a few inmates are placed in out-of-state prisons, Federal Correctional Facilities, and private correctional facilities through the Western Interstate Compact and the Interstate Corrections Compact.

Q.        Who is in Charge?
A.        The State Prisons are part of the Division of Institutional Operation of the Utah State Department of Corrections.  Each complex has a Warden and Facility Deputy Wardens, and the housing unit within the facilities has a Captain and/or a Lieutenant.  The complexes have a Watch Commander or Duty Officer on duty 24 hours a day.  If calling or writing about a concern, you may be referred to one of these Administrators.  Usually your concerns will be referred to the housing unit managers or caseworker.

Q.        What do the Caseworkers do for the inmates?
A.            Caseworkers may be a contact person between inmates and their families or friends outside of Prison.  Caseworkers also aid inmates through some of the processes inside the Prison.

Q.        Will I be able to tour the Prison?
A.            Unfortunately, for safety and security reasons, the public cannot tour the Prisons.  If you are on an inmate’s approved visiting list, you will be able to come onto Prison property to visit the inmate.  Each facility has a designated visiting area.  In addition, those interested can attend public awareness meetings in which inmates answer questions and talk about prison life.  If you would like to attend a meeting, call (801) 576-7065 in Draper or (435) 528-6000 in Gunnison to make arrangements.

Q.        How are the Prisons cleaned?
A.        The Utah State Prison is cleaned and maintained by inmate labor.  Inmates are expected to clean their own personal areas.  Inmate crews are paid to clean larger common areas.

Q.        What is the food like at the Prison?
A.        The meals at the Prison are designed by a dietician to insure that daily nutritional values are met.  The meals served are varied and well prepared.  Most inmates will receive their meals on a thermo tray delivered to the housing unit.  Other inmates may receive their meals in a cafeteria.

Q.        What is the training of the officers employed at the Prison?

A.        Officers at the Utah State Prison are certified Correctional Officers and have Peace Officer authority.  Their training consists of a 13-week Peace Officer Standard and Training course.  Officers are required to complete an additional forty hours of training every year throughout their career.

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