Karen Tapahe portrait

Karen Tapahe
Public Information Officer 
[email protected]
1.801.560.7608

Welcome to the Utah Department of Corrections press shop. Here you can stay up-to-date on press releases, blog posts and more communication coming directly from our office.

UDC News

Featured image for “New Mailing System Coming January 5”
December 21, 2025

New Mailing System Coming January 5

To improve communication efficiency, safety, and reliability, the Utah Department of Corrections is moving to a new mail system for incarcerated individuals. Effective January 5, 2026, all personal (non-legal) mail will be processed and delivered directly by UDC mail processing centers, replacing the current third-party service. To ensure proper delivery, beginning January 5, 2026, all incoming mail must be sent to the
Featured image for “State Agencies Unveil First Parole Conditions Revision In Years”
December 9, 2025

State Agencies Unveil First Parole Conditions Revision In Years

Collaborative Effort Between Utah Board of Pardons and Parole (BOPP) and Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) Focuses on Clarity, Consistency, and Public Safety Salt Lake City – Dec. 9, 2025 – The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole (BOPP) and the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) have finalized a significant revision to the state’s parole conditions. This is the first time the conditions
Featured image for “Inmate Ralph L. Menzies Passes Away”
November 26, 2025

Inmate Ralph L. Menzies Passes Away

The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) is notifying the public that inmate Ralph L. Menzies passed away from presumed natural causes at a local hospital at 1:45 p.m. today, November 26, 2025. He was 67 years old at the time of his death. The Department issued this public notification after contacting Mr. Menzies’ next of kin, and the family of
Featured image for “UPDATED: Access Corrections Issues Resolved”
May 23, 2025

UPDATED: Access Corrections Issues Resolved

UPDATE: As of May 26, 2025, Access Corrections is fully operational. Family members and loved ones can make deposits to inmate accounts at kiosks, phone and on the access corrections website. To ensure a smooth transition, people may still send money orders to: Inmate Accounting (address below). People may also drop off money orders to the UDC Administration building in
Featured image for “Full House Witnesses Davis Tech Graduation”
May 16, 2025

Full House Witnesses Davis Tech Graduation

In front of a packed house in mens’ visiting at the Utah State Correctional Facility, dozens of incarcerated individuals received their degrees during a graduation ceremony Monday, May 19, for Davis Technical College. This fiscal year, Davis Tech has 122 UDC graduates so far. By the end of the term, that will climb to about 135 graduates, according to Dan
Featured image for “SLCC Holds Graduation At USCF”
May 12, 2025

SLCC Holds Graduation At USCF

On Monday, May 12, 28 men and women graduated from Salt Lake Community College’s prison education program during a ceremony at the Utah State Correctional Facility. Among these individuals, the degrees earned include Associate of Science Degrees in Anthropology, Business, Criminal Justice, General Studies, and Computer Science and Information Systems. During her address, student speaker Maureen Wall encouraged her fellow
Featured image for “Davis Technical College and Corrections Launch New Certification Programs for Women”
September 21, 2023

Davis Technical College and Corrections Launch New Certification Programs for Women

Davis Technical College (Davis Tech) and the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) announced the launch of three new certification programs for women at the Utah State Correctional Facility today. The programs, which include Automation and Robotics, Information Technology, and Web and Graphic Design, provide valuable skills and knowledge to help incarcerated women successfully transition back into their communities. “In a
Featured image for “Cadence Competition Takes Place at CUCF”
September 8, 2023

Cadence Competition Takes Place at CUCF

All four sections of the Ironwood housing unit at Central Utah Correctional Facility recently participated in a cadence competition. The concept: See who can create and perform a military-style rhythm that echoes the positive message of the therapeutic program the incarcerated individuals participate in. Capt. Jennifer Mullins, who supervises the units at Ironwood, said it was those in the program
Featured image for “UDC working with health, abatement officials after West Nile virus detected in mosquito testing”
August 26, 2023

UDC working with health, abatement officials after West Nile virus detected in mosquito testing

The Utah Department of Corrections is collaborating with the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, the Salt Lake County Health Department, and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services to continue to implement preventive measures after detecting a West Nile virus-positive mosquito pool at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake City. “While this is considered routine
August 22, 2023

Large Altercation at Central Utah Correctional Facility Triggers Lockdowns

15 incarcerated individuals were involved in an altercation at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison on Monday evening with five individuals being taken to a local hospital by ambulance to assessed and treated. Preliminary investigations indicate that the altercation may have been gang-related and weapons were involved. To ensure the safety and security of everyone involved, the Utah