22 Mar

Posted at 12:58h in Featured, Impact Globally, Implement Strategically, Improve Lives, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan, Work Together
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The Utah Department of Corrections, in coordination with Davis County Sheriff’s Office, announced the expansion of opportunities for programming and reentry services to address individuals' risk factors when they return to prison for parole violations. The goal is to reduce core criminogenic risk factors for those who violate parole. Individuals who violate parole represent the largest admission group for the Utah Department of Corrections. In 2021, admissions from parole violators represented about two-thirds (67%) of all admissions to prison, while admissions from probation made up 18% of admissions. “We are excited to help these individuals be better equipped for success when they return to their communities,” said Brian Nielson, executive director with the Utah Department of Correction. “We are grateful for the collaboration with the Davis County Sheriff’s Office, and we look forward to expanding these opportunities in other areas of the state in the future.” Data shows that parole violators returning to prison on technical violations stay on average for eight months. The added programming and reentry services will address their core needs within a six month timeframe. “Oftentimes our standard programs for addressing criminogenic needs take longer than the average stay of someone returning for a parole violation,” said Lena Gustafson, the deputy programming director with the Utah Department of Corrections. “Corrections offers so much to every individual we supervise based on their assessed needs, and we’re excited to add more programming and reentry services to our repertoire to address those returning for a short stay for parole violations.” The core program that will be offered–Living in Balance–is customizable, comprehensive, and evidence-based, and takes approximately six months to complete. Customizable: Designed to be effective in both group and individual settings, it can be used in all levels of care and program types. It is designed so that clients can enter the program at any point in the cycle of sessions. Comprehensive: There are 47 sessions, each covering one specific topic. Clients are taught information about treatment and recovery, skills to handle feelings and emotions, information about preventing relapse, practical living skills, and how to manage distorted thinking and behaviors. Evidence-based: Developed by Danya International and tested as part of a NIDA-funded project, Living in Balance is a clinically validated, evidence-based program that has been proven to retain clients in treatment and reduce alcohol and other drug use. Davis Behavioral Health, which contracts with the Davis County Sheriff’s Office, will help to administer the support and classes specializing in mental health and peer support resources. "We're excited to partner with the Department of Corrections in this very important endeavor,” said Chief Arnold Butcher with Davis County Sheriff’s Office. “We believe this is a great opportunity to enhance the programs already offered at our facility. The Living in Balance curriculum will enhance safety throughout our community as we can work with parole offenders much sooner.” Other services provided will specifically address reentry needs, such as navigating parole, improving financial literacy, enhancing their work portfolio, resume, interviewing skills, and partnering with the Department of Workforce Services and Vocational Rehabilitation Services for other relevant needs....

03 Feb

Posted at 12:47h in Featured, Impact Globally, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan
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Agents from the Utah Department of Corrections’ Division of Adult Probation and Parole have located a missing juvenile girl from Arizona, arresting a Utah man in the process. On Jan. 31, AP&P agents received information from Arizona involving a missing girl and a possible connection to Jordan Sorenson, who was convicted in June 2020 of first-degree felony aggravated sexual extortion of an adult. He is on probation with AP&P and is listed on Utah’s sex offender registry. Agents began an investigation in coordination with the Utah Attorney General’s human trafficking unit. Sorenson was located at his work and transported to his residence in West Valley. Agents then searched the home, locating the missing juvenile in the basement. “Thanks to the quick actions of our agents and cooperation with the Attorney General's investigators and West Valley City Police Department, this young woman was found safe,” said Dan Blanchard, director of AP&P. “This is one of the many roles our agents take every day to help keep our communities safe. We are very grateful for the response and professionalism of these officers. Agents act on a number of tips every day, and in this situation they helped to locate this girl." Blanchard added that Arizona officials have been informed the juvenile was found safe and turned over to the care of a victim’s advocate from the Attorney General’s office. “We are grateful for the opportunity to assist AP&P and Arizona authorities in this case, and relieved the victim is now in a safe place," said Richard Piatt, communications director with the Utah Attorney General's office. "It is a priority for our office to utilize our Secure Strike Force to assist minors and to prosecute the growing number of human traffickers who are out there. These types of crimes are becoming more frequent, and we all need to continue to work together to combat these crimes.” In addition to probation violations for Sorenson, there is an ongoing investigation of new criminal charges with the AG's human trafficking unit....

01 Sep

Posted at 18:17h in Featured, Improve Lives, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan
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With support from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Government Operations (DGO)/Division of Technology Services (DTS); the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) completed a comprehensive medical records review Thursday. This effort included an assessment and update of every incomplete medical record that came through during a transition to a new Electronic Healthcare Records System (EHRS), along with a return to more normal operations in regards to the distribution of medications within correctional facilities. “As we continue to reconcile the new with our operations, we feel that we have turned a corner in regards to prescription distribution,” said Brian Nielson, executive director for the UDC. “The filling and distribution of medications is at a more manageable level. I cannot express enough gratitude for our team members and partner organizations who have been here around the clock to assist with these efforts.” In regards to actual prescriptions being filled, just a little over a week ago, there were more than 8,000 prescriptions in the queue to be refilled. As of Thursday morning, Sept. 1, that number has plummeted to 1,300. On a typical day – prior to migration – UDC had 1,000 prescriptions to fill. “Following migration to the new system, many of the 17,000-plus active prescriptions that we manage needed to be reviewed,” said Nielson. “As we worked with our contracted EHRS to resolve the issues, it became apparent that each prescription would need to be analyzed and, in many cases, reentered into the system. At this time, all of those records have been reviewed.” DHHS provided a total of 54 medical representatives, including registered nurses, physicians, advanced practice nurses, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. As UDC returns to more normal operations in regards to the distribution of prescriptions, DHHS will provide more limited ongoing support as co-leads of an Electronic Health Record Response Team. “I’ve been proud to participate alongside our team in this effort,” said Dr. Michelle Hofmann, executive medical director for DHHS. “We will leverage this situation as an opportunity to optimize the performance of the Electronic Health Records database and help ensure it aids providers in improving the care of patients in the Utah prison system.” Moving forward, UDC will continue to work closely with the EHRS provider (Fusion), the Governor’s Office, DGO, DTS, and DHHS on overall process management. View the entire press release here.   ...

19 Aug

Posted at 15:40h in Featured, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan, Work Together
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The Utah Department of Corrections was slated in February to migrate to a new electronic records system that will improve operations overall; however due to delays with the contractor, the data migration began during the move to the new prison. We are now experiencing some technical challenges with that transition. Our medical team is working around the clock to address these concerns. Generally speaking, if an incarcerated individual has an urgent medical concern they can notify the officer in their housing section. If an incarcerated individual needs to be seen by medical or have a prescription filled, then they can submit a health care request form (available on their housing unit) to be seen.  On Sunday, August 21, the Utah Department of Corrections shared an update via Zoom regarding technical challenges we have experienced moving to a new medical records management system. You can see the video here: [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAVBhVFXCik[/embedyt]       Updated: 08/22/22  Originally posted: 08/18/2022...

15 Jul

Posted at 16:00h in Featured, Latest News, News Archives
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Today, the Utah Department of Corrections completed a historic transfer of incarcerated individuals from Utah State Prison in Draper to the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City, marking its official opening.   We are grateful for the law enforcement agencies and other organizations who offered support in making this historic move to the new Utah State Correctional Facility happen. Outside agencies across the state stepped up to offer services to the UDC, including:       Utah Division of Technology Services Utah Highway Patrol    Utah Department of Transportation Department of Natural Resources Unified Police     Salt Lake County Sheriff     Cache County Sheriff    Utah County Sheriff    Davis County Sheriff   Kane County Sheriff Sevier County Sheriff Wasatch County Sheriff Millard County Sheriff Weber County Sheriff...

01 Jun

Posted at 10:37h in Featured, Latest News, News Archives
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In preparation for the once-in-a-lifetime move from the Utah State Prison in Draper to the new Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City, the Utah Department of Corrections has created a General Order to cover what incarcerated offenders can bring with them during the transport to the new location. The General Order – a copy of which can be found here – details what is known as the “property matrix” and will be specific to those moving to the Salt Lake City site. Inmates moving from USP to the Central Utah Correctional Facility or a county jail will still be under the matrix set forth in our current property policy. Of note, inmates will be allowed to bring a television and MP3 player, along with two sets of headphones. A specific list of what is permitted is attached to the general order and will also be posted in all housing areas at USP. Each inmate will be given a tote. All items outlined in the General Order Property Matrix that an inmate can fit in their tote will be sent to USCF. Any excess property items or items not authorized for the prison move will be dispositioned and sent to the property warehouse for pickup by family members or to be donated (if applicable). In addition, inmates will be given two legal pouches for their legal documents. These pouches will be transported with the offender to the new location. The final commissary order in Draper will be June 19, 2022. It will be delivered to offenders June 26. In addition, the UDC will supply each inmate with two commissary bags after the commissary restrictions are implemented. The bags will have various hygiene and food items and will be provided at no expense to the inmate. Orders will resume once commissary is reestablished at the Salt Lake City site. Once opened, USCF will be one of the most modern, state-of-the-art correctional facilities in the country. Featuring 1.3-million square-feet of space, it can house approximately 3,600 men and women.   Communications office, June 1, 2o22...

15 Apr

Posted at 11:23h in Featured, Latest News, News Archives
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The Utah Department of Corrections is just a few months away from moving the prison population at the Utah State Prison in Draper to the new Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City. We have received recent questions from the incarcerated and their families regarding their physical property. As the date approaches and details are finalized, we are dedicated to providing information to the incarcerated to help them prepare for this move. In the meantime, here’s a short update regarding property of incarcerated individuals: Prior to the move to the new Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City, we are requiring all incarcerated individuals be at the approved property matrix for their particular level. Beginning in July 2021, we started posting signage in each section regarding this change. As we conduct cell searches we are also reminding incarcerated individuals of the upcoming move and property expectations. Much of what incarcerated individuals can take with them will be similar to what they now take with them when moving to a county jail as part of our Inmate Placement Program; however, we recognize that this is a different type of move, and so we will be allowing electronics and other items to be taken as well. A more detailed list will be announced in the coming weeks. Upon arrival at the new prison, inmates will be issued a hygiene kit, new clothing, sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and pin bags....

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