January 6, 2022_COVID-Update

Late last week UDC confirmed an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Promontory Facility at the Utah State Prison in Draper.

 

At this time there are 181 cases of COVID-19 at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper and 4 active cases at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison. Outbreaks are currently present in the following areas: Timpanogos and Promontory. Other areas at both facilities may be on quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure, including the Uintas and Olympus.

 

There are also active cases of COVID-19 at community correctional centers: nine active cases at the Fortitude Treatment Center, five active cases at Northern Utah Community Correctional Center and one active case at the Atherton Community Treatment Center.

 

Individuals are being housed appropriately based on quarantine and isolation protocols. Please note that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the recently confirmed cases.

 

The Department continues to offer recommended treatment for COVID-19 positive individuals, including monoclonal antibodies for those who have tested positive or have been directly exposed to COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine and the booster shots are continuing to be offered to incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, including all intakes.

 

Incarcerated individuals who have not been vaccinated can request a vaccination by submitting an Inmate Care Request form (ICR), which is available in their housing units. Vaccination rates are anywhere from 60 to 92 percent depending on the facility. For example, the Oquirrh 5 facility where many of our most medically fragile are housed is at a 92 percent vaccination rate.

 

Vaccines and other treatments are not mandatory but are offered and encouraged.

 

UDC continues to work with state and local health officials regarding COVID-19 protocols. The Department continues to adhere to CDC protocols.

 

As a reminder, the Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

 

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who require advanced medical care or require evaluation or care from a specialist. Any incarcerated individual who exhibits concerning symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

 

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals. Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

 

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required. As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. Incarcerated individuals can request this form from their housing officer or case manager.

 

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

 

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording system, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

 

December 20, 2021

The Utah Department of Corrections reports the death of a COVID-19 positive individual on December 18, 2021.

 

The individual was 43-years-old and was hospitalized at the time of his death.

 

Prior to hospitalization, the individual was housed at the Oquirrhs Facility at the Utah State Prison in Draper.

 

UDC will continue to share written updates on deaths of individuals who were COVID-19 positive at the time of their passing or not considered recovered. However, the numbers will not be reflected in the public COVID-19 tracking sheet until the official cause has been determined by the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.

 

The Department continues to offer recommended treatment for COVID-19 positive individuals, including monoclonal antibodies for those who have tested positive or have been directly exposed to COVID-19.

 

The COVID-19 vaccine has been offered to all incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, including all intakes.

 

Incarcerated individuals who have not been vaccinated can request a vaccination by submitting an Inmate Care Request form (ICR), which is available in their housing units.

 

The Department has begun offering booster vaccines, and anticipates those offerings will be to all incarcerated individuals over the next couple weeks.

 

Vaccination rates are anywhere from 60 to 92 percent depending on the facility. For example, the Oquirrh 5 facility where many of our most medically fragile are housed is at a 92 percent vaccination rate.

 

Vaccines and other treatments are not mandatory but are offered and encouraged.

 

At this time there are 102 active cases of COVID-19 at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper and 5 active cases at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison.

 

Outbreaks are currently present in the following areas: Wasatch, Timpanogos and Olympus.

 

Other areas at both facilities may be on quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure, including the Promontory, Uintas and Gale.

 

Individuals are being housed appropriately based on quarantine and isolation protocols. Please note that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the recently confirmed cases.

 

UDC continues to work with state and local health officials regarding COVID-19 protocols. The Department continues to adhere to CDC protocols.

 

As a reminder, the Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility.

 

The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

 

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who require advanced medical care or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

 

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits concerning symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

 

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

 

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

 

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

 

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. Incarcerated individuals can request this form from their housing officer or case manager.

 

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

 

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording system, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

December 14, 2021

 

December 7, 2021

The Utah Department of Corrections reports the death of a COVID-19 positive individual on December 5, 2021.

The individual was 57-years-old and was hospitalized at the time of his death.

Prior to hospitalization, the individual was housed at the Olympus Facility at the Utah State Prison in Draper.

UDC will continue to share written updates on deaths of individuals who were COVID-19 positive at the time of their passing or not considered recovered. However, the numbers will not be reflected in the public COVID-19 tracking sheet until the official cause has been determined by the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.

The Department continues to offer recommended treatment for COVID-19 positive individuals, including monoclonal antibodies for those who have tested positive or have been directly exposed to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 vaccine has been offered to all incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, including all intakes.

Incarcerated individuals who have not been vaccinated can request a vaccination by submitting an Inmate Care Request form (ICR), which is available in their housing units.

The Department has begun offering booster vaccines, and anticipates those offerings will be to all incarcerated individuals over the next couple weeks.

Vaccination rates are anywhere from 60 to 92 percent depending on the facility. For example, the Oquirrh 5 facility where many of our most medically fragile are housed is at a 92 percent vaccination rate.

Vaccines and other treatments are not mandatory but are offered and encouraged.

At this time there are 77 active cases of COVID-19 at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper and 10 active cases at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison.

Individuals are being housed appropriately based on quarantine and isolation protocols. Please note that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the recently confirmed cases.

UDC continues to work with state and local health officials regarding COVID-19 protocols. The Department continues to adhere to CDC protocols.

As a reminder, the Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility.

The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who require advanced medical care or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits concerning symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. Incarcerated individuals can request this form from their housing officer or case manager.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording system, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

11/29/2021

11/09/2021

Over the weekend, 12 incarcerated individuals tested positive for COVID-19 at the Wasatch Facility. The facility has been placed on quarantine and testing continues.

Many of the incarcerated individuals working in culinary are currently housed in the Wasatch Facility, which has impacted food services. Each incarcerated individual is still receiving three meals per day with no meals skipped for any individual.

While the menu will likely be affected over the coming days, staff are ensuring that various food items are added to meals to ensure proper nutrition. The operations team has identified a plan to accommodate these changes.

Once the standard individuals working in culinary are cleared from quarantine, then food operations will return to normal.

11/05/2021

COVID-19 quarantine and isolation protocols in place at Oquirrh 2, Oquirrh 5 and Uinta 2.

Mass testing has been initiated at several facilities at the Utah State Prison in Draper. Results are still pending for some tests but as of now there are 26 active cases in Oquirrh 2, 14 active cases in Uinta 2, and five confirmed cases at Oquirrh 5.

These areas are on quarantine, and new intakes and transfers are quarantined as a precaution as well. 

UDC continues to work with state and local health officials regarding COVID-19 protocols. The Department continues to adhere to CDC protocols.

The vaccine has been offered to all incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, including all intakes.

Incarcerated individuals who have not been vaccinated can request a vaccination by submitting an Inmate Care Request form (ICR), which is available in their housing units.

The Department has begun offering booster vaccines, and anticipates those offerings expanding to all incarcerated individuals over the coming weeks.

UDC has removed vaccine percentages from their website. Vaccinate percentages are being reviewed to ensure that the numbers are as accurate as possible taking into consideration our transient population and the offering of booster vaccines.

As a reminder, the Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility.

The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who require advanced medical care or require evaluation or care from a specialist. 

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits concerning symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an 

Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. Incarcerated individuals can request this form from their housing officer or case manager.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording system, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

 

09/03/21

COVID-19 quarantine and isolation protocols initiated at Oquirrh 1 and 2 facility

As mass testing continues at the Utah State Prison in Draper, one individual has now tested positive in Oquirrh 1. 

09/02/21

COVID-19 quarantine and isolation protocols initiated at Oquirrh 1 and 2 facility

Quarantine and isolation protocols have been initiated at the Oquirrh 2 facility at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper.

Tuesday evening our staff became aware of multiple inmates in Oquirrh 2 were exhibiting COVID-19 like symptoms. Upon receiving this information, our staff promptly placed the section on quarantine and tested all individuals in the section.

So far seven individuals in that section have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Consistent with the rapidly rising case count in the community, the Department anticipates that as mass testing continues there may be more positive cases confirmed in the coming days

The incarcerated individuals in the section of Oquirrh 2 were initially hesitant to notify staff of their symptoms as quarantine and isolation protocols do inhibit movement and activities in affected areas. 

While 86 percent of the population at USP has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, approximately only 50 percent have been vaccinated in the Oquirrh 2 section where positive cases have been confirmed. The vaccine has been offered to all incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, including all intakes. Incarcerated individuals who have not been vaccinated can request a vaccination by submitting an Inmate Care Request form (ICR), which is available in their housing units.

UDC continues to adhere to CDC protocols, and continues to coordinate closely with state and local health officials.

As a reminder, the Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who need an increased level of care, or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. Incarcerated individuals can request this form from their housing officer or case manager.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording system, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

 

08/31/2021

Effective September 1, 2021, the Board of Pardons and Parole is resuming in-person hearings at the Draper prison facility.  The return will be gradual.  All hearings moving forward, whether in-person or not, will continue to be streamed live over the Internet to provide better access as the Board conducts its work.

You can learn more here: https://bop.utah.gov/index.php/hearings-top-public-menu/live-stream

 

08/20/2021COVID-19 Cases Confirmed at Ironwood Facility at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison

On August 16, two individuals sharing a cell within the Ironwood Facility at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison reported COVID-like symptoms. Staff did rapid tests on both individuals and results for both individuals came back positive. Both individuals were moved to isolation and the section was placed on quarantine.

At this time, all individuals in the housing section who were fully vaccinated have been tested and cleared from quarantine.

Based on COVID-19 protocols and discussion with state and local health officials, individuals who are unvaccinated in the section are being tested, and will remain on quarantine for at least two weeks. Quarantine may be extended depending on testing over the next couple weeks.

UDC continues to work with state and local health officials regarding COVID-19 protocols. The Department continues to adhere to CDC protocols.

As of August 18, 86 percent of incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper have been vaccinated and 76 percent at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison.

The vaccine has been offered to all incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, including all intakes. Incarcerated individuals who have not been vaccinated can request a vaccination by submitting an Inmate Care Request form (ICR), which is available in their housing units.

As a reminder, the Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. Incarcerated individuals can request this form from their housing officer or case manager.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording system, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

 

08/19/2021

Free Phone Calls Update

In March 2020 the Utah Department of Corrections suspended visiting as a preventative measure to inhibit the spread of COVID-19. Shortly after we suspended visiting, we offered incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison 10 free 15-minute phone calls per week. 

Over the last few months, we’ve launched video visiting for the first time in our correctional facilities and we’ve returned to allowing in-person visits. We’re excited to share that we will now permanently offer video visiting. 

Over the next few months, the Department will begin to phase out the free phone calls.

The calls will phase out over the next 150 days using the following schedule:

September 1st–calls drop to 8 free calls per week

October 1st–calls drop to 6 free calls per week

November 1st–calls drop to 4 free calls per week

January 1st–calls drop to 1 free call per week

After January 1, 2022 all inmates will receive one free call per week. This one free call will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

 

07/30/2021

Beginning August 1, in-person visiting will now be Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each visit will be approximately 1.5 hours.

Video visiting will occur Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each visit will be approximately 30 minutes.

We are excited to announce that with these changes, we have been able to increase the amount of in-person and video visits available each month based on privilege level.

As we continue to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to make changes, and we’ve truly appreciated the feedback from the community regarding our initial rollout of in-person visiting in June.

 

06/18/2021

Three staff members working in the Olympus Facility at the Utah State Prison in Draper have tested positive for COVID-19. The facility has been placed on quarantine. Visiting, and volunteer and religious services have been cancelled for the weekend.

Testing will be initiated. Only a few individuals out of the 124 incarcerated individuals housed at the Olympus Facility have not received a COVID-19 vaccination. All incarcerated individuals have been offered the COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 70 percent of incarcerated individuals have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Utah State Prison in Draper.

 

06/16/2021

Beginning June 18, 2021, the Utah Department of Corrections will resume in-person visitation.

Each inmate will be allowed one (1) 40-minute in-person visit or one (1) 30-minute tablet visit per month. Visits must be scheduled in advanced and can be done here.

Loved ones wishing to visit in person must follow our normal visiting rules and those needed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

To facilitate a safe visiting process, up to two (2) visitors at a time will be allowed. The following requirements will also need to be met by all visitors:

• Will need to be 18 and above
• Live in the same household (must be verified)
• Must not have been out of the country in the last 30 days 
• Must not have been around anyone with Covid-19 for the last 14 days
• Must have a temperature less than 100 degrees when arriving on prison property
• Must wear a mask
• No physical contact between inmates and visitors will be permitted

Due to the closure over the last year, please verify that you have current approval to visit by contacting the facility.

If you have any questions, please contact 801-576-7013.

Click here to see the video and in-person visiting schedules and to schedule a visit.

Learn more about video visiting here: https://corrections.utah.gov/index.php/2014-10-30-20-13-24/14-visiting-information/1264-video-visiting

 

06/03/2021

The Utah Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) recently released examination results for two offenders who died while in the custody of the Utah Department of Corrections.

The OME has determined that two additional fatalities were COVID-19 related.

The total number of COVID-related deaths now stands at 18 incarcerated individuals, housed either at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper or the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison (CUCF). Many of the 18 had other complicating comorbidities listed in the OME reports as contributing to their death.

In an effort to respect and maintain individual’s private medical information, UDC will not be releasing specific information on the additional deaths. However, both occurred in December 2020.

The public website’s COVID-19 tracker has been updated to reflect the two additional COVID-19 related deaths.

05/24/2021

As of May 20, 2021, 58% percent of the state’s incarcerated population housed at either USP in Draper, CUCF in Gunnison or as a state inmate housed at a county jail, have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Utah Department of Corrections will continue to offer vaccinations to those who would like to receive one. New intakes will be offered the COVID-19 vaccination as staffing and vaccines are available.

04/30/2021

Utah Corrections to Resume In-Person Visits and Volunteer Services in June

Utah Corrections to Resume In-Person Visits and Volunteer Services in June After more than a year, UDC will resume in-person visits and volunteer services in early June Starting in early June, in-person visiting, and volunteer and religious services, will resume at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison.

“Our incarcerated population have not seen their family in-person for more than a year,” said Brian Nielson, executive director for the Utah Department of Corrections. “Throughout this pandemic the incarcerated have shown great fortitude in adhering to COVID-19 guidelines in order to help slow the spread of the virus.”

Visits and services will roll out in a phased approach in order to adhere closely to COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, face coverings, temperature checks and screening questions.

“We appreciate state and local health officials for their continued support and guidance on navigating the pandemic,” Nielson said. “And finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank our incredible staff who have worked diligently to make this happen, and have been nimble since the outset of the pandemic to adapt to ongoing changes.”

In March 2020, all in-person visiting was suspended and supplemented with 10 free 15-minute phone calls per week.

The Department plans to continue providing video visits when in-person visiting resumes.

For those planning in-person visits, visitor applications must be approved. Find more information here: https://corrections.utah.gov/index.php/family-friends/how-to

Volunteers can communicate with the Department’s programming division by emailing udc_vrs@utah.gov.

04/29/2021

Utah Department of Corrections Reaches COVID-19 Vaccine Milestone

As of today, all incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper and at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison have been offered at least one COVID19 vaccination, aside from recent intakes.

More than 2,659 individuals have been fully vaccinated, which accounts for USP, CUCF and state incarcerated individuals housed at a county jail.

“In regards to the pandemic, we have reached several huge milestones for Corrections,” said Brian Nielson, executive director for the Utah Department of Corrections. “We are excited to see a gradual return to normalcy as we continue to work closely with state and local health officials on steps moving forward.”

The Utah Department of Corrections will continue to offer vaccinations to those who would like to receive one. New intakes will be offered the COVID-19 vaccination as staffing and vaccines are available.

There are no active cases of COVID-19 at either USP or CUCF. 

April 12, 2021

Vaccine Update:

Our Department is distributing vaccines as quickly as we receive them from the health departments. Soon after the age limited vaccines were opened to all adults, the associated health departments ramped up their vaccine distribution to correctional facilities. In order to maximize the number of inmates vaccinated, the health department has arranged assistance by the Utah National Guard. 

As of today, nearly 1,700 vaccines have been administered to individuals housed at the Utah State Prison in Draper, the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison and individuals housed at a county jail through the Inmate Placement Program.

Vaccines have ranged from the three authorized for use in the United States: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson. More than 500 Johnson and Johnson vaccines– which require only one shot–were administered this week at the Utah State Prison in Draper. 

We remain committed to distributing vaccines as quickly as we receive them. We will concentrate on vaccinating all those willing before circling back to incarcerated individuals who may have refused before.

February 10, 2021

January 21, 2021

March 12, 2021

Vaccine Update:

We appreciate the continued support and collaboration of the Utah Department of Health and local health departments throughout the pandemic.

The Department continues to work closely with them as vaccines become available to incarcerated individuals.  

If you would like to track vaccine distribution to our incarcerated population, please visit the coronavirus.utah.gov website and click the “Case Counts” tab. On that page, you can click the “vaccines” tab and Corrections is listed in the chart “Vaccine Administered by Provider Type.”

We provided this informational handout regarding the COVID-19 vaccine to all incarcerated individuals in January: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Incarcerated_Individuals_Newsletter__COVID-19__01222021_1_1.pdf

January 22, 2021

January 7, 2021

The Utah Department of Corrections reports a fifteenth death of a COVID-19 positive individual. The individual was 62-years-old and was pronounced dead at a hospital Wednesday night. 

Before being hospitalized the individual was housed at the Utah State Prison in Draper. The incarcerated individual did not identify any living relatives, and attempts to make notification were not successful. 

As of January 6, there are 1,178 active cases of COVID-19 between the Utah State Prison in Draper, CUCF, and state inmates housed at a county jail. Outbreaks are currently present in the following areas: Oquirrh 3, Oquirrh 2, Oquirrh 1, Uinta 4, Uinta 2, Henry (Dogwood, Aspen, Cedar) and Boulder (Fir and Gale).

1,716 incarcerated individuals have been medically designated as recovered.

Various areas at USP and CUCF are operating on a modified lockdown, meaning that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the outbreaks.

The Department continues to collaborate closely with state and local health officials on movement and testing, which includes separating negative cases from positive cases. 

Many things have to be considered when moving an incarcerated individual, including COVID-19 protocols.

We continue to work closely with state and local health officials, but our staff have to also consider other criteria for movement of an incarcerated individual including documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

There are also active cases of COVID-19 at several community correctional centers: two offenders at Atherton Community Treatment Center, 12 offenders at the Orange Street Community Correctional Center, five offenders at the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center, and 28 offenders at the Fortitude Treatment Center.

We truly appreciate the continued patience of family members while we work through this situation.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. We’ve encouraged all incarcerated individuals to fill out this form through direct messaging, and will continue to promote that information.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording system, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

January 5, 2021

The Utah Department of Corrections reports a fourteenth death of a COVID-19 positive individual. The individual was 70-years-old and was pronounced dead Tuesday morning. 

The individual was housed at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison. The family of the incarcerated individual have been notified.

As of January 4, there are 1,149 active cases of COVID-19 between the Utah State Prison in Draper, CUCF, and state inmates housed at a county jail. Outbreaks are currently present in the following areas: Oquirrh 3, Oquirrh 2, Oquirrh 1, Uinta 4, Uinta 2, Henry (Dogwood, Aspen) and Boulder (Fir and Gale).

1,710 incarcerated individuals have been medically designated as recovered.

Various areas at USP and CUCF are operating on a modified lockdown, meaning that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the outbreaks.

The Department continues to collaborate closely with state and local health officials on movement and testing, which includes separating negative cases from positive cases. 

Many things have to be considered when moving an incarcerated individual, including COVID-19 protocols.

We continue to work closely with state and local health officials, but our staff have to also consider other criteria for movement of an incarcerated individual including documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

There are also active cases of COVID-19 at several community correctional centers: two offenders at Atherton Community Treatment Center, 12 offenders at the Orange Street Community Correctional Center, five offenders at the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center, and 23 offenders at the Fortitude Treatment Center.

We truly appreciate the continued patience of family members while we work through this situation.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. We’ve encouraged all incarcerated individuals to fill out this form through direct messaging, and will continue to promote that information.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording system, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

Visiting to remain suspended:

At this time, visiting (along with volunteer and religious services) will continue to remain on hold through January 15, at which time we will again reevaluate. We will continue to offer 10 free 15 minute phone calls per week.

December 31, 2020

The Utah Department of Corrections reports a thirteenth death of a COVID-19 positive individual. The individual was 55-years-old and was pronounced dead at a hospital Wednesday afternoon. 

Before being hospitalized the individual was housed at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper. The family of the incarcerated individual has been notified.

As of December 29, there are 1,196 active cases of COVID-19 between USP in Draper, Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, and state inmates housed at a county jail. Outbreaks are currently present in the following areas: Oquirrh 3, Oquirrh 2, Oquirrh 1, Uinta 4, Uinta 2, Henry (Dogwood, Aspen, Cedar) and Boulder (Fir and Gale).

1,578 incarcerated individuals have been medically designated as recovered.

Both USP and CUCF are operating on a modified lockdown, meaning that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the outbreaks.

The Department continues to collaborate closely with state and local health officials on movement and testing, which includes separating negative cases from positive cases. 

Many things have to be considered when moving an incarcerated individual, including COVID-19 protocols.

We continue to work closely with state and local health officials, but our staff have to also consider other criteria for movement of an incarcerated individual including documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

There are also active cases of COVID-19 at several community correctional centers: five offenders at Atherton Community Treatment Center, 12 offenders at the Orange Street Community Correctional Center, 12 offenders at the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center, and 17 offenders at the Fortitude Treatment Center.

We truly appreciate the continued patience of family members while we work through this situation.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. We’ve encouraged all incarcerated individuals to fill out this form through direct messaging a couple weeks ago, and will continue to promote that information in the coming days.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

Visiting to remain suspended:

At this time, visiting (along with volunteer and religious services) will continue to remain on hold through January 15, at which time we will again reevaluate. We will continue to offer 10 free 15 minute phone calls per week.

December 24, 2020

The Utah Department of Corrections reports a twelfth death of a COVID-19 positive individual. The individual was 72-years-old and was pronounced dead at a hospital late Wednesday night. 

Before being hospitalized the individual was housed at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison. The family of the incarcerated individual has been notified.

As of December 22, there are 1,065 active cases of COVID-19 between the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper, CUCF, and state inmates housed at a county jail. Outbreaks are currently present in the following areas: Oquirrh 4, Oquirrh 3, Oquirrh 2, Oquirrh 1, Uinta 4, Uinta 3, Uinta 2, Ironwood, Henry (Dogwood, Aspen, Cedar) and Boulder (Fir and Gale).

1,578 incarcerated individuals have been medically designated as recovered.

Both USP and CUCF are operating on a modified lockdown, meaning that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the outbreaks.

The Department continues to collaborate closely with state and local health officials on movement and testing, which includes separating negative cases from positive cases. 

Many things have to be considered when moving an incarcerated individual, including COVID-19 protocols.

We continue to work closely with state and local health officials, but our staff have to also consider other criteria for movement of an incarcerated individual including documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

There are also active cases of COVID-19 at several community correctional centers: five offenders at Atherton Community Treatment Center, 12 offenders at the Orange Street Community Correctional Center and 12 offenders at the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center, and two offenders at the Fortitude Treatment Center.

December 21, 2020

The Utah Department of Corrections reports an eleventh death of a COVID-19 positive individual. The individual was 86-years-old and was pronounced dead at the Department’s infirmary in Draper on Sunday. 

Before being hospitalized the individual was housed at the Utah State Prison in Draper. The family of the incarcerated individual has been notified.

As of December 21, there are 964 active cases of COVID-19 between the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper, CUCF, and state inmates housed at a county jail. Outbreaks are currently present in the following areas: Oquirrh 4, Oquirrh 3, Oquirrh 2, Oquirrh 1, Uinta 4, Uinta 3, Ironwood, Henry (Dogwood, Aspen, Cedar) and Boulder (Fir and Gale).

1,578 incarcerated individuals have been medically designated as recovered.

Both USP and CUCF are operating on a modified lockdown, meaning that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the outbreaks.

The Department continues to collaborate closely with state and local health officials on movement and testing, which includes separating negative cases from positive cases. 

Many things have to be considered when moving an incarcerated individual, including COVID-19 protocols.

We continue to work closely with state and local health officials, but our staff have to also consider other criteria for movement of an incarcerated individual including documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

There are also active cases of COVID-19 at several community correctional centers: five offenders at Atherton Community Treatment Center, 12 offenders at the Orange Street Community Correctional Center and 12 offenders at the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center, and one offender at the Fortitude Treatment Center.

We truly appreciate the continued patience of family members while we work through this situation.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. We’ve encouraged all incarcerated individuals to fill out this form through direct messaging a couple weeks ago, and will continue to promote that information in the coming days.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

Visiting to remain suspended:

At this time, visiting (along with volunteer and religious services) will continue to remain on hold through January 15, at which time we will again reevaluate. We will continue to offer 10 free 15 minute phone calls per week.

December 16, 2020

The Utah Department of Corrections reports a tenth death of a COVID-19 positive individual. The individual was 71-years-old and was pronounced dead at the hospital late Tuesday night.

Before being hospitalized the individual was housed at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison. The family of the incarcerated individual has been notified.

As of December 16, there are 1,193 active cases of COVID-19 between the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper, CUCF, and state inmates housed at a county jail. Outbreaks are currently present in the following areas: Oquirrh 5, Oquirrh 4, Oquirrh 3, Oquirrh 2, Oquirrh 1, Uinta 4, Uinta 3, Promontory, Lone Peak, Wasatch (Dog-Block), Ironwood, Henry (Dogwood, Aspen, Cedar) and Boulder (Fir and Gale). 

1,006 incarcerated individuals have been medically designated as recovered.

Both USP and CUCF are operating on a modified lockdown, meaning that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the outbreaks.

The Department continues to collaborate closely with state and local health officials on movement and testing, which includes separating negative cases from positive cases. 

Many things have to be considered when moving an incarcerated individual, including COVID-19 protocols.

We continue to work closely with state and local health officials, but our staff have to also consider other criteria for movement of an incarcerated individual including documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

There are also active cases of COVID-19 at several community correctional centers: five offenders at Atherton Community Treatment Center, one offender at the Orange Street Community Correctional Center and two offenders at the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center.

We truly appreciate the continued patience of family members while we work through this situation.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. We’ve encouraged all incarcerated individuals to fill out this form through direct messaging a couple weeks ago, and will continue to promote that information in the coming days.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently fol

lowing and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

Visiting to remain suspended:

At this time, visiting (along with volunteer and religious services) will continue to remain on hold through January 15, at which time we will again reevaluate. We will continue to offer 10 free 15 minute phone calls per week.

December 8, 2020: 

November 30, 2020

Over the weekend, the Department confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oquirrh 3, Uinta 3 and Uinta 4. Staff immediately initiated isolation and quarantine protocols, and initiated larger scale testing.

November 25, 2020

The Utah Department of Corrections reports two additional deaths of individuals who were positive for COVID-19 bringing the total number of deaths to nine. 

One individual was 70-years-old and passed away on November 23. The individual was hospitalized at the time of their death.

November 20, 2020

The Utah Department of Corrections reports three additional deaths of individuals who were positive for COVID-19 bringing the total number of deaths to seven.

One individual was 68-years-old and passed away on Wednesday evening and had been hospitalized since November 13.

The other individual was 70-years-old and passed away early Thursday morning and had been hospitalized since November 12.  

Both individuals had comorbidities and had tested positive on November 9.

Before being hospitalized both individuals were housed and receiving treatment at the Oquirrh 5 facility. The families of the incarcerated individuals have been notified.

The third death occurred on November 1 but was not initially reported as a COVID-19 death as the individual had a negative rapid COVID-19 test hours before being found deceased in his housing section. The individual was 61-years-old and was housed at the Oquirrh 5 facility and had comorbidities. It was later determined by the medical examiner that the individual was COVID-19 positive at the time of death.   

The Utah Department of Corrections’ public tracking sheet now lists the total number of deaths of individuals who had tested positive for COVID-19.

The Department hosted its first semi-monthly video update on Friday at 10 a.m. Deputy Director Jim Hudspeth shared an update on UDC’s response to COVID-19, which can be found on the Department’s Facebook page.

As of November 19, there are 800 active cases of COVID-19 between the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper, CUCF, and state inmates housed at a county jail. Outbreaks are currently present in the following areas: Oquirrh 5, Promontory, Lone Peak, Wasatch (Dog-Block), Hickory, Ironwood, and Gale. 

346 incarcerated individuals have been medically designated as recovered.

Both USP and CUCF are operating on a modified lockdown, meaning that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the outbreaks.

The Department continues to collaborate closely with state and local health officials on movement and testing, which includes separating negative cases from positive cases. 

Many things have to be considered when moving an incarcerated individual, including COVID-19 protocols. We continue to work closely with state and local health officials, but our staff have to also consider other criteria for movement of an incarcerated individual including documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.

In areas like Oquirrh 5 where there are individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), we have standardly had a greater medical presence who actively monitor these individuals.

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

There are also active cases of COVID-19 at several community correctional centers: three offenders at Atherton Community Treatment Center, one offender at Bonneville Community Correctional Center, seven offenders at Fortitude Treatment Center, and seven offenders at the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center.

We truly appreciate the continued patience of family members while we work through this situation.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. We’ve encouraged all incarcerated individuals to fill out this form through direct messaging a couple weeks ago, and will continue to promote that information in the coming days.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

Visiting to remain suspended:

At this time, visiting (along with volunteer and religious services) will continue to remain on hold through December 1, at which time we will again reevaluate. We will continue to offer 10 free 15 minute phone calls per week.

November 16, 2020

The Utah Department of Corrections reports its third death of a 50-year-old incarcerated individual on November 14 who was COVID-19 positive. The individual was hospitalized at the time of their death.

November 12, 2020

It is with great sadness that the Utah Department of Corrections reports its second death of a 70-year-old incarcerated individual on November 11 who was COVID-19 positive. The individual was hospitalized at the time of their death.

Before being hospitalized the incarcerated individual was housed and receiving treatment at the Oquirrh 5 facility where he tested positive for COVID-19 on November 4. The incarcerated individual did have several complicating comorbidities that may have contributed to his death. The family of the incarcerated individual has been notified. The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner.

At this time there are 621 active cases of COVID-19 between the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison. Outbreaks are currently present in the following areas: Oquirrh 5, Promontory, Lone Peak, Wasatch (Dog-Block), Hickory, and Gale.  

Both USP and CUCF are operating on a modified lockdown, meaning that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the outbreaks.

There are also active cases of COVID-19 at several community correctional centers: two offenders at Atherton Community Treatment Center, one offender at Bonneville Community Correctional Center, two offenders at Fortitude Treatment Center, and five offenders at the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center.

The Department continues to collaborate closely with state and local health officials on movement and testing, which includes separating negative cases from positive cases.   

“Our staff have performed exceptionally, especially considering how many months they have been facing this pandemic.  The citizens of Utah deserve to know that we have top quality individuals engaged in some of the most challenging work imaginable.  They are my heroes and merit the appreciation of all Utahns,” said Mike Haddon, executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections.

Many things have to be considered when moving an incarcerated individual, including COVID-19 protocols. We continue to work closely with state and local health officials, but our staff have to also consider other criteria for movement of an incarcerated individual including documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals. 

In areas like Oquirrh 5 where there are individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), we have standardly had a greater medical presence who actively monitor these individuals. 

Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.

We truly appreciate the continued patience of family members while we work through this situation.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. We’ve encouraged all incarcerated individuals to fill out this form through direct messaging a couple weeks ago, and will continue to promote that information in the coming days.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s communications director, Kaitlin Felsted at 801-560-7608 or corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call may go to voicemail, but we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

Visiting to remain suspended:

At this time, visiting (along with volunteer and religious services) will continue to remain on hold through December 1, at which time we will again reevaluate. We will continue to offer 10 free 15 minute phone calls per week.

November 6, 2020:

November 3, 2020:

Utah Department of Corrections reported its first outbreak at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison today. Late last night an incarcerated individual reported COVID-19-related symptoms and was promptly rapid tested. The results came back positive. Staff immediately initiated isolation and quarantine protocols, and began larger scale testing.

As of right now, there are currently 14 confirmed cases in the Hickory Facility and 5 confirmed cases in the Gale Facility, but testing is ongoing. 

At this time it appears the outbreak is likely due to community spread.

In regards to the second outbreak at the Utah State Prison in Draper, testing continues with focused attention on areas of outbreak. At this time, there are now 137 confirmed cases in Promontory, 59 cases in Oquirrh 5, and 19 cases in Lone Peak.

Both facilities are operating on a modified lockdown, meaning that out-of-cell time may be greatly limited in areas most impacted by the outbreaks.

The Department continues to collaborate closely with state and local health officials from both regions on movement and testing, which includes separating negative cases from positive cases.   

Many things have to be considered when moving an incarcerated individual, including COVID-19 protocols. We continue to work closely with state and local health officials, but our staff have to also consider other criteria for movement of an incarcerated individual including documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

We truly appreciate the continued patience of family members while we work through this situation.

As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. We’ve encouraged all incarcerated individuals to fill out this form through direct messaging a couple weeks ago, and will continue to promote that information in the coming days.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s communications director, Kaitlin Felsted at 801-560-7608 or corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call may go to voicemail, but we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

10/31/2020

At this time we have tested all of Oquirrh 5, Promontory and Lone Peak for COVID-19. As of today we have 33 positive cases in Oquirrh 5, 29 cases in Promontory and six cases in Lone Peak. For now, the Utah State Prison in Draper will remain on lockdown while our staff work diligently with local and state health officials on quarantine and isolation procedures, including additional testing over the coming days. 

We are working now to separate positive cases from negative cases with additional considerations such as proximity to medical care and resources, documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19. 

We truly appreciate your patience while we work through this situation. As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual’s medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. We’ve encouraged all incarcerated individuals to fill out this form through direct messaging a couple weeks ago, and will continue to promote that information in the coming days. 

Please refer to the update from yesterday toward the bottom of this webpage, which includes more information that may be helpful. We will continue to update as information becomes available.

October 30, 2020:

Update on potential second outbreak at the Utah State Prison in Draper

The Utah State Prison in Draper is currently on a code-red lockdown for at least the next twenty-four hours due to a potential second outbreak. 

As we continue to work through this very fluid situation, please know that incarcerated individuals’ basic needs will continue to be met, including meals and medical care.  

Last night we had two inmates housed in Oquirrh 5 report that they were exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and they were immediately rapid-tested. Both those tests came back negative. 

Today, an inmate in Oquirrh 5 reported having COVID-19 symptoms and was promptly rapid-tested. The test was positive and containment protocols for the Utah State Prison in Draper (USP) were immediately initiated. 

Shortly thereafter an inmate housed in the Promontory Facility reported COVID-19 symptoms and we also promptly tested. The test was also positive. 

We’re collaborating closely with the Utah Health Department and the Utah Department of Public Safety who are assisting in the testing of the whole Utah State Prison in Draper starting in the Oquirrh and Promontory Facilities today. USP’s population today is 2,580.

We are deeply concerned about this latest outbreak. Oquirrh 5 is where our most medically vulnerable incarcerated individuals reside and it’s where we’ve taken the greatest precautions since the beginning of the pandemic to keep them safe.

Our Promontory Facility is dormitory-style housing, which means that exposure may be significant by the time the first case is confirmed.

Our staff are working quickly now to accommodate isolation and quarantine needs.  

Many things have to be considered when moving an incarcerated individual, including COVID-19 protocols. We continue to work closely with state and local health officials, but our staff have to also consider other criteria for movement of an incarcerated individual including documented safety concerns, gang affiliations, ADA accommodations and other medical conditions unrelated to COVID-19. 

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s communications director, Kaitlin Felsted at 801-560-7608 or corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call may go to voicemail, but we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.

Our COVID-19 positive case count at USP this morning before we confirmed the additional cases in Oquirrh 5 and Promontory totaled 312 incarcerated individuals with 303 individuals considered recovered.

At this time, no incarcerated individuals in Promontory or Oquirrh 5 are exhibiting significant symptoms.

From the initial outbreak in our Wasatch Facility, we had three incarcerated individuals who needed greater care and were hospitalized. For safety and security reasons, the Department does not share details on whether there are current hospitalizations or the location of those who have been hospitalized.

We will continue to provide regular updates, and when we confirm positive COVID-19 cases we will update those numbers on our public website.

Important things to note as we work through this second outbreak:

• Incarcerated individuals may not have access to phones for the next couple days, but please know that it’s a priority that we make communication resources available as soon as we can do so safely.
• Commissary and mail will likely be delayed by a couple days, especially in designated quarantine and isolation areas.
• During the last outbreak many families were concerned about their loved one not being provided standard care, including prescriptions, or being fed. We can assure you that these things were provided and will continue to be provided, and we do have contingency plans in place, if we continue to see greater spread.
• If you would like to request specific medical information regarding your loved-one, the incarcerated individual will need to request an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information form from our custody staff or their case manager.
• In areas of quarantine or isolation it can be expected that individuals will have limited time out of their cell in order to prevent spread and to complete frequent cleanings. 

October 30, 2020:

Economic Impact Payment Update

On April 27, the IRS emailed the Utah Department of Corrections notifying them that they should return any checks issued to incarcerated individuals for the Economic Impact Payments (EIP) authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). 

In early October, the IRS informed the Department that pursuant to a permanent injunction entered in Scholl v. Mnuchin, No. 20-cv-05309 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 14, 2020), the IRS cannot deny a payment to someone who is incarcerated if they meet the eligibility criteria. 

On October 21 the IRS notified the Department that they would mail forms for incarcerated individuals to fill out to request their EIP, which would need to be mailed by November 4, 2020. 

The Department then proactively and promptly printed and distributed a packet with instructions–including the1040 form–from the IRS website to give incarcerated individuals as much time as possible to meet the deadline. 

On October 27 the Department received approximately 15,000 packets from the IRS to be distributed to incarcerated individuals with more information on how to apply for the EIP. These are being distributed now as well. 

It’s important to note that if the stimulus check is deposited in the incarcerated individual’s account that it will be subject to the Department’s standard protocols, which includes the Department’s ability to take up to 60 percent of all incoming funds to help satisfy all unpaid financial obligations until those obligations are paid in full, but will never be less than a $15 balance. 

October 16, 2020:

COVID-19 Update on Outbreak at the Utah State Prison in Draper

Since October 14 there have been no new additional cases of COVID-19 confirmed at the Wasatch Facility in Draper. There are currently 274 active cases of COVID-19 within the Utah State Prison in Draper.

126 more individuals were tested on Thursday, including intakes and those who have previously tested negative in Wasatch A-Block and B-Block. Test results are anticipated early next week.

Out of an abundance of caution due to the close proximity of Wasatch D-Block to outbreak areas, our clinical services team rapid tested D-Block earlier this week, which totaled 185 individuals. All individuals tested negative. 

All confirmed cases thus far have been in the Wasatch Facility A-Block and B-Block, or through our intake process. Thus far, the vast majority of incarcerated individuals who have tested positive are either asymptomatic or exhibiting minor symptoms; however some individuals have exhibited more severe symptoms with three having been hospitalized. For safety and security reasons, the Department does not share details on whether there are current hospitalizations or the location of those who have been hospitalized. 

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Our medical team continues to closely monitor the situation, and is conducting frequent medical and mental health checks on those that are in designated quarantine and isolation areas.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

We are still working to provide commissary services, but deliveries will likely see delays.

Before September 23, USP and CUCF had not had a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the general incarcerated population. All past confirmed cases have been through new prison intakes who have been promptly tested upon arrival and quarantined for 14 days; or among incarcerated individuals in county jails that UDC contracts with to house a portion of the state’s incarcerated population.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

We’ve also tried to provide more specific information regarding the Wasatch outbreak on this FAQ page here: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Wasatch_Outbreak_FAQs_1005_fn.pdf

See a full update from the Utah Department of Corrections at a Press Conference on October 15: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=795166127935055

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s communications director, Kaitlin Felsted at 801-560-7608 or corrections@utah.gov.

We will continue to provide regular updates on this webpage.

10/16/2020

Three confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the Fortitude Community Correctional Center: 

Three offenders have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Fortitude Community Correctional Center. 

Earlier in the week a support staff member tested positive for COVID-19 at which time in an abundance of caution the local health department recommended testing all staff and offenders associated with the facility.  

The spread is believed to be from community contact as offenders have regular access to the community and the three confirmed cases had little to no contact with the staff member who had tested positive. 

All three offenders are currently in isolation in a separate dorm from all other offenders in the facility. The facility remains in quarantine status until two weeks from the last positive test. 

There are currently 48 offenders housed at the FTC. For the last several months the facility has operated below standard capacity in order to accommodate any potential outbreak. FTC’s operational capacity can accommodate up to 160 individuals. 

Health Officials will be on property in the coming days to assist with testing all of those housed at the facility.  

All offenders at FTC have their temperature, oxygen saturation and blood pressure checked daily. A therapist is also onsite and conducts daily mental health checks. 

Here’s some additional information on Community Correctional Centers in regards to COVID-19: 

Community Correctional Centers serve as halfway houses to help offenders who may not have a place to go when they leave prison, need additional treatment as they transition back into the community or are struggling and at risk of returning to jail or prison.

UDC works in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local health departments and has ensured that all containment steps have been taken, which include but are not limited to isolating the infected offender(s) who will receive frequent health checks; coordinating with public health officials on quarantine procedures and contact tracing; and ensuring that proper cleaning and contact protocols are implemented. 

UDC does not provide medical care for parolees at these centers, residents in quarantine are allowed to check out for clinics and healthcare appointments and have emergency services contacted when needed. 

Offenders housed within a community correctional center typically have regular access to the community, with limited security, and at this time—based on recommendations from state and local health departments—the facility will now be on quarantine for at least 14 days. 

10/12/2020:

On Thursday and Friday, the Utah State Health Department aided UDC in the mass testing of Wasatch A-Block and B-Block. There are currently 327 incarcerated individuals housed in those two blocks.

There are now 264 active cases of COVID-19 at the Utah State Prison in Draper. All confirmed cases have been in the Wasatch Facility A-Block and B-Block, or through our intake process. Thus far, the vast majority of incarcerated individuals who have tested positive are either asymptomatic or exhibiting minor symptoms.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

Our medical team continues to closely monitor the situation, and is conducting frequent medical and mental health checks on those that are in designated quarantine and isolation areas.

Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.

We are still working to provide commissary services, but deliveries will likely see delays.

Before September 23, USP and CUCF had not had a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the general incarcerated population. All past confirmed cases have been through new prison intakes who have been promptly tested upon arrival and quarantined for 14 days; or among incarcerated individuals in county jails that UDC contracts with to house a portion of the state’s incarcerated population.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

We’ve also tried to provide more specific information regarding the Wasatch outbreak on this FAQ page here: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Wasatch_Outbreak_FAQs_1005_fn.pdf

If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s communications director, Kaitlin Felsted at 801-560-7608 or kefelsted@utah.gov

We will continue to provide regular updates on this webpage.

10/05/2020

At this time, visiting (along with volunteer and religious services) will continue to remain on hold through November 1, at which time we will again reevaluate. We will continue to offer 10 free 15 minute phone calls per week.

10/01/2020:

There are now  57 active cases of COVID-19 at the Utah State Prison in Draper. This represents approximately one percent of our incarcerated population.  At this time, inmates are either asymptomatic or exhibiting minor symptoms. Confirmed cases have now spread outside of our Wasatch facility Baker-Block with three inmates who rapid-tested positive for COVID-19 last night in A-Block of our Wasatch facility, after exhibiting symptoms.

Our medical team continues to closely monitor the situation, and are conducting frequent medical and mental health checks on those that are in designated quarantine and isolation areas.

The Utah State Health Department aided UDC medical staff in the testing of 125 incarcerated individuals housed within the Wasatch Facility today, and more tests are anticipated to be administered in the coming days.  

There are 550 inmates housed within the Wasatch Facility. The facility comprises four blocks: A-Block, B-Block (Baker), C-Block (Charlie), D-Block (Dog).  

We will continue to provide regular updates on this webpage.

If you would like to learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures, we would encourage you to review this document: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Inmate_handout_full_0407_1.pdf

To learn more about the CDC recommendations that the UDC is currently following and exceeding (along with following local health officials recommendations) please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html

09/30/2020:

At this time, visiting (along with volunteer and religious services) will continue to remain on hold through October 15, at which time we will again reevaluate. We will continue to offer 10 free 15 minute phone calls per week.

09/28/2020:

On September 28, there were 47 active cases of COVID-19 within the Utah State Prison in Draper. 45 of those cases have been confirmed in the Wasatch Facility in Baker Block, and the other two cases are new prison intakes. 

On September 25, the Utah State Health Department aided UDC medical staff in the testing of 164 incarcerated individuals housed within Baker Block.

At this time it is suspected that a couple of the COVID-positive inmates may have contracted the virus from a medical care provider who treated several inmates—while wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE)—and shortly after became symptomatic. At that time the provider did promptly get tested and quarantined.

Read full update below. 

All inmates who were treated by the medical care provider, along with all those housed in Baker Block, have been isolated and tested. Thorough contact tracing and testing has been initiated since the first confirmed case on September 23, and both USP and the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) are now on a modified lockdown. Incarcerated individuals’ movement and level of recreation will be limited, and based on areas of observation, quarantine and isolation.

UDC is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and coordinating closely with state and local health officials to ensure that all containment steps are taken, which include, coordinating with local health officials on quarantine and isolation, conducting contact tracing, and ensuring that proper cleaning protocols are implemented.

“Our team and those we supervise have worked diligently and heroically to keep COVID-19 from entering our general incarcerated population,” said Mike Haddon, executive director for the Utah Department of Corrections. “We are genuinely concerned about the possible transmission of this virus, which is why we are following and exceeding CDC recommendations and working with local health officials to contain any potential outbreak.”

Until September 23, USP and CUCF did not have a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the general incarcerated population. All past confirmed cases have been through new prison intakes who have been promptly tested upon arrival and quarantined for 14 days; or among incarcerated individuals in county jails that UDC contracts with to house a portion of the state’s incarcerated population.

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to inmates as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

In regards to COVID-19 treatment, if an inmate needs greater care such as access to a ventilator, they will be cared for in a hospital.

UDC is driven to ensure that staff, inmates, and the general public are kept informed of recent developments within our operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last couple months, the Department has proactively taken stringent steps for prevention, and toward containment.

Regular updates will be posted on this webpage.

09/25/2020:

Five inmates have now rapid tested positive for COVID-19 within the Utah State Prison in the Wasatch Facility in Baker Block. All five inmates have also been administered the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test and results are due back from an outside medical provider within the next day or two.

Earlier today, the Utah State Health Department aided UDC medical staff in the testing of 164 incarcerated individuals housed within Baker Block, and results are anticipated within the next 72 hours.

At this time it is suspected that the COVID-positive inmates may have contracted the virus from a medical care provider who treated several inmates—while wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE)—and shortly after became symptomatic. At that time the provider did promptly get tested and quarantined.

All inmates who were treated by the medical care provider, along with those that have tested positive in Baker Block, have been isolated and tested. Thorough contact tracing and testing has been initiated since the first confirmed case on September 23, and both USP and the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) are now on a modified lockdown. Incarcerated individuals’ movement and level of recreation will be limited, and based on areas of observation, quarantine and isolation.

UDC is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and coordinating closely with state and local health officials to ensure that all containment steps are taken, which include, coordinating with local health officials on quarantine and isolation, conducting contact tracing, and ensuring that proper cleaning protocols are implemented.

“Our team and those we supervise have worked diligently and heroically to keep COVID-19 from entering our general incarcerated population,” said Mike Haddon, executive director for the Utah Department of Corrections. “We are genuinely concerned about the possible transmission of this virus, which is why we are following and exceeding CDC recommendations and working with local health officials to contain any potential outbreak.”

Until now, USP and CUCF have not had a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the general incarcerated population. All past confirmed cases have been through new prison intakes who have been promptly tested upon arrival and quarantined for 14 days; or among incarcerated individuals in county jails that UDC contracts with to house a portions of the state’s incarcerated population. 

The Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to inmates as needed.

The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.

In regards to COVID-19 treatment, if an inmate needs greater care such as access to a ventilator, they will be cared for in a hospital.

UDC is driven to ensure that staff, inmates, and the general public are kept informed of recent developments within our operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last couple months, the Department has proactively taken stringent steps for prevention, and toward containment. 

Regular updates will be posted on this webpage.

09/23/2020:

The Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility are on a 24-hour lockdown starting at approximately 3:00 p.m. due to a possible transmission of COVID-19 within the general population.

UDC is working in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and coordinating closely with state and local health officials to ensure that all containment steps are taken, which include, coordinating with local health officials on quarantine and isolation procedures, conducting contact tracing, and ensuring that proper cleaning protocols are implemented.

We will provide further information shortly on this webpage.

09/15/2020:

09/10/2020:

As we work to initiate video visitation, and continue planning for a return to normalcy, Utah Correctional Industries will be taking photos of incarcerated individuals, beginning mid-September, to be shared with their families. 

We anticipate that photos will be completed by the end of October. We hope that this will be an opportunity we can continue providing in the future, and may open it up to excluded areas in the future as an incentive. 

09/01/2020

At this time, visiting (along with volunteer and religious services) will continue to remain on hold through September 1, at which time we will again reevaluate. 

We will continue to offer 10 free 15 minute phone calls per week, and we will continue to explore ways to increase communication and bolster morale while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for incarcerated individuals.

07/24/2020:

06/01/2020:

We want you to know that we are actively exploring options for video visiting, while we continue to suspend visiting at the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility.

Based on the Governor’s Color-Coded Health Guidance System, our facilities continue to operate at a high-risk level, as incarcerated individuals exist in a very community-based environment.

While we are moving as quickly as we can, there are roadblocks along the way including a lack of WiFi access points or poor cellular signal within prison housing.

We have technicians identifying locations for access via cellular service, and we are hoping to implement something in the near future.

Our intent is to set up something more permanent within our correctional facility in Gunnison, so we can offer this supplementary form of communication to incarcerated individuals for years to come.

Our correctional facility in Draper is more complicated, as we consider it’s varied infrastructure and the funds needed to invest in such an engineered process, especially as we will be moving to the new facility in Salt Lake City in the next two years, and which will be equipped with video visiting.

It’s also important to note that while we are working to add this additional communication channel, we will not be eliminating in-person visiting at any of our facilities–present and future. 

For now, we will continue to offer 10 free 15 minute phone calls per week, and we will press forward in exploring ways to increase communication, bolster morale, while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for incarcerated individuals.

We truly recognize how critical family and friends are to those incarcerated, and we feel your frustrations and anxiety as we continue to adapt to this novel coronavirus.

We encourage you to continue communicating with your loved one through the current channels available. A handwritten note, or supportive phone call can make a world of difference in their lives.

Thank you for your continued patience as we work to adapt to these difficult times.

At this time, visiting will remain on hold through July 1 at which time we will again reevaluate. 

05/29/2020: 

The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) has confirmed its first positive case of COVID-19 at the Utah State Prison in Draper on May 29, 2020.

UDC will not be releasing the name of the offender or their housing location.

The inmate is male and between the ages of 18-24, and is in stable condition and has been isolated.

The offender came into the facility as an intake from a county jail on May 27 and was tested and confirmed within 48 hours of arrival, while housing with only a small group of others who came into the facility at the same time.

Starting May 20, the UDC moved to once a week intake day for those transitioning to prison from a county jail or from Adult Probation and Parole. In direct consultation with local health officials, UDC has worked to test all intakes shortly after their arrival, along with housing intakes together for a period of two weeks before moving them to general population.  

UDC is working in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and coordinating closely with state and local health officials to ensure that all containment steps are taken, which include but are not limited to isolating the infected inmate who will receive frequent health checks; coordinating with local health officials on quarantine procedures and contact tracing; and ensuring that proper cleaning protocols are implemented.

You can learn more here: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/052920_Confirmed_Case_at_Utah_State_Prison_in_Draper.pdf

05/15/2020: 

This, Governor Gary R. Herbert, upon the recommendation of the Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force, announced that the Color-Coded Health Guidance System would move from a moderate risk level to low risk level for most of the state.

While the State of Utah will begin to open up a little more over the next couple months, these guidelines will not directly correlate with how we will operate within our correctional facilities. In a congregate and confined environment like prison or community correctional centers, it’s difficult to maintain social distancing, and it’s also more difficult to isolate and contain the potential spread of COVID-19.

At this time we will not be rolling back many of the changes that we’ve implemented in the last couple months; however, we are exploring innovative approaches on how we can again offer opportunities for programming, visiting, and volunteer and religious services. This approach is consistent with guidance from State public health officials and practice in Correctional operations across the nation. We ask for your continued patience at this time, and please know that your incarcerated loved ones safety and health continue to be our top priority. 

You can read the full newsletter provided this week to incarcerated individuals here: https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Newsletter_to_Inmates__COVID-19__May_5.pdf

05/11/2020: 

Visiting will remain on hold through June 1 at which time we will again reevaluate. 

04/23/2020: 

Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19, visiting will remain on hold through May 15 at which time we will again reevaluate.

04/14/2020: 

Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new recommendations regarding wearing masks in community-based environments, our Utah Correctional Industries staff and incarcerated individuals who participate in the program, have worked dedicatedly to sew washable, reusable face coverings. Every incarcerated individual within the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison and every staff member have been provided two of these face coverings along with information on how to sanitize their face covering, and when to wear them.  

04/09/2020: 

The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) is making referrals to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole (BOPP) regarding the early release of some offenders. Originally referrals were being made for those who have a release date within 90 days, but in light of the ongoing spread of COVID-19 throughout the country, this timeline was recently reevaluated and increased to 180 days. All offenders released early must still have an approved address to release to.

 

04/03/2020:

The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) has confirmed its first positive case of COVID-19 within one of its community correctional centers on April 3, 2020.

The offender, who has not been in a state prison since late 2019, is male and between the ages of 45 to 64, and is in stable condition and has been isolated.

UDC is working in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local health departments to ensure that all containment steps are taken, which include but are not limited to isolating the infected offender who will receive frequent health checks; coordinating with public health officials on quarantine procedures and contact tracing; and ensuring that proper cleaning and contact protocols are implemented.

 

03/31/2020: 

The process for picking up inmate property will temporarily change during the COVID-19 pandemic.

03/26/2020:

Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19, visiting will remain on hold through April 26 at which time we will reevaluate. In the meantime, we will continue to offer 10 free 15-minute phone calls per week to each inmate. 

Public Information Panels and volunteer activities continue to be postponed until further notice.

03/26/2020:

In collaboration with the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, and support from the Utah Governor’s Office, the Utah Department of Corrections is initiating some early releases to create capacity within correctional facilities as confirmed cases of COVID-19 increase throughout the state.

At this time there are no confirmed cases within the UDC facilities among either staff or inmates.

The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) is making referrals to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole (BOPP) for release of incarcerated individuals, who are already within 180 days of their scheduled release date and have an approved address.

 

03/24/2020: 

The April 6 Focus Forum meeting has been cancelled, and will be rescheduled for a later date. 

03/20/2020: 

Starting March 31, the weekly Release Day Fair and Orientation event will temporarily change its operations.

03/18/2020: 

All inmates at the Utah State Prison are safe and accounted for after an earthquake this morning.

03/13/2020:

Increased Access to Phones

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, inmates at the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility will have access to 10 free phone calls per week. The free calls will be limited to 15 minutes. Traditional fees will be charged for additional calls and calls exceeding the 15-minute limit. The free communications are being put in place to allow offenders to stay in contact with loved ones while visiting is suspended at the two facilities. We’d like to thank CenturyLink for working so quickly in coordination with our Department to get this in motion!

03/12/2020:

Visiting and Volunteering Suspended:

Based on the most recent recommendations from the CDC and the Utah Coronavirus Task Force to take preventative steps to inhibit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we are temporarily suspending all visiting and volunteering to our correctional facilities. These include Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison. Our Department will reevaluate this suspension in two weeks. We will provide an update through our website and social media at that time. Volunteers, family and friends play a critical role in an offender’s rehabilitation process, and we will continue to keep you updated over the next few weeks on when those opportunities will be available again. Incarcerated individuals have been notified that visiting is suspended and we are encouraging them to continue utilizing the phone calls and mail.

Attorneys will be permitted to meet with offenders, but only through barrier visits at this time. 

03/12/2020: Tours and public awareness panels suspended for the time being.

03/12/2020: The Utah Serving Time Cafe is closed for business until further notice.