Central Utah Correctional Facility
About
The Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison opened in 1989. It houses up to 1,800 male inmates.
The Gunnison prison is split in three housing facilities: Henry, opened in 1989, Boulder, opened in 1998-2003, and Monroe, opened in 2016.
Within Henry are the Aspen, Birch, Cedar and Dogwood housing units. There is also an infirmary. Boulder includes Elm, Fir, Gale and Hickory. Monroe has one housing unit, Ironwood, with capacity for three additional units.
The facility offers a variety of opportunities for inmates, including high school education, substance abuse treatment, life skills courses and Utah Correctional Industries work programs (Sign Shop, Contract Sewing, Uniform Sewing/Mattress/Pillow Production, and Embroidery/Silk Printing).
The South Sanpete School District oversees the prison’s high school education program. Snow College offers vocational training programs, such as building trades and culinary arts.
Inmates with substance use issues may participate in the HOPE (Help Offenders Parole Effectively) program, a residential, therapeutic-community treatment program.
CUCF employs approximately 500 people. The vast majority of employees live in the Six-County region (Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier and Wayne counties), with more than half living in Sanpete County.
Contact
255 E. 300 North
Gunnison, UT 84634
Phone: 435-528-6000
Kristen Keisel
Boulders
Elm
The Elm housing unit consists of six sections, each with 16 double-bunked cells. At capacity, Elm can house a total of 192 inmates (32 inmates per section).
Elm is a controlled, maximum-security unit for “level two” inmates. It has a total of six sections, each capable of housing 32 double-bunked inmates (for a total capacity of 192 offenders).
Inmates have access to programming and educational packets. Recreation is allowed on a rotating basis, with one to 4 cells out at a time in each section for safety and security. Inmates have regular access to medical staff, case managers and the Offender Management Review team. They are encouraged to volunteer for work assignments and other activities to demonstrate positive behavior and thus progress to a medium-security unit.
Fir
Fir is a dormitory-style unit capable of housing up to 288 inmates The unit has six sections. Each section consists of four smaller pods of 12 beds, for a total of 48 inmates per section.
Gale
Gale is a dormitory-style unit capable of housing up to 288 inmates. Inmates here are enrolled in the STRIVE (Success Through Responsibility, Integrity, Values and Effort) program.
STRIVE is a volunteer program which has been shown to increase success in education and productivity, resulting in fewer disciplinary write-ups, management problems and reduced recidivism. Inmates on the unit typically have a sense of pride in their accomplishments, reflected in a clean, productive and positive environment.
Hickory
Hickory is a Restrictive Housing Unit for “level two” inmates. It has a total of six sections, each capable of housing 32 double-bunked inmates (for a total capacity of 192 offenders).
Inmates have access to programming and educational packets. Recreation is allowed on a rotating basis, with one cell out at a time in each section for safety and security. Inmates have regular access to medical staff, case managers and the Offender Management Review team. They are encouraged to volunteer for work assignments and other activities to demonstrate positive behavior and thus progress to a medium-security unit.
Henry
Aspen / Birch / Cedar
The Aspen, Birch and Cedar units contain three housing sections, each holding 64 inmates at capacity, bringing the total capacity to 192 (or 96 double-bunked cells).
All three housing units house general population inmates. The sections are closely managed by the Offender Management Review team, with regular interviews to address behavior and productivity. This careful management keeps violence and other problems to a minimum. Depending on their privilege level, inmates may be eligible to participate in programming, work and educational activities.
The Offender Management Review team strives to effectively manage this population and keep the housing section relatively quiet.
Dogwood
The Dogwood housing unit has seven sections and can house 82 inmates at capacity.
Section A
This section consists of five, camera-equipped cells that allow officers to monitor occupants 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This section has a capacity for up to 10 inmates, two per cell. The cells are used for anything from inmates who have been issued a temporary restraining order or have been given administrative segregation due to behavior.
Sections B
This is a short-stay dorm section. Inmates may be held here for a night or several nights prior to a Board of Pardons and Parole hearing, being moved to a county jail or being brought from a county jail to the prison for such reasons as medical or dental treatment. This section contains four bunks, eight inmates at capacity. Because inmates are here for short-term stays, they do not have the ability to engage in programming or recreation.
Section D
This section houses inmates, new to prison or back on a parole violation, who are going through the Receiving & Orientation process. These inmates are closely monitored while they go through this process. During this time, they are seen by Medical, Dental, Mental health and Case managers. Once they are classified they wait in this section for their housing assignments. This section can house 20 inmates, two per cell.
Section E
This section houses inmates, new to prison or back on a parole violation, who are going through the Receiving & Orientation process. These inmates are closely monitored while they go through this process. During this time, they are seen by Medical, Dental, Mental health and Case managers. Once they are classified they wait in this section for their housing assignments. This section can house 20 inmates, two per cell.
Section F
This section consists of two, single bed camera-equipped cells that allow officers to monitor occupants 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The cells are primarily used to house inmates who have demonstrated extreme behavior.
Section G
This section houses inmates, new to prison or back on a parole violation, who are going through the Receiving & Orientation process. These inmates are closely monitored while they go through this process. During this time, they are seen by Medical, Dental, Mental health and Case managers. Once they are classified they wait in this section for their housing assignments. This section can house 20 inmates, two per cell.
Section H
This section consists of two single bed camera-equipped cells built with a positive air-flow system. The cells are designed for inmates who have a communicable disease or an infection that may be transmitted through the air. These inmates are monitored by medical staff.
When not in use for their designated purpose, the cells may be used to house inmates with behavior problems.
Monroe
Ironwood
The unit is set up as a therapeutic community, where inmates work on a highly structured treatment plan for 12 months or more. The program’s therapeutic design intentionally uses a positive peer culture and environment, where high standards, morals of “right living” and pro-social core values are reinforced with privileges, rewards and recognition. The HOPE clinical staff and Fir security staff, as well as HOPE graduates, serve as role models to the program’s residents.
HOPE is aimed at helping inmates live clean, sober, positive and productive lives. Ideally, inmates leave the program with tools necessary to avoid re-engaging in problem behaviors. HOPE includes a thorough relapse prevention component that enables recovering addicts to live cautiously, knowing their next relapse could be around the corner. A companion goal in HOPE’s behavior modification program is the recognition and elimination or reduction of criminal thinking and anti-social behavior after a return to the outside community.
Inmates who successfully complete the program may be eligible for a sentence time cut from the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.