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 “Public Awareness Panels up and running”
October 6, 2023

Public Awareness Panels up and running

Sitting in a Board of Pardons and Parole hearing room, they told their story: Three imprisoned women, discussing what led to their incarceration and their hopes for a better future. But this was no plea to a hearing officer in a bid to be released from custody. This was an attempt to keep others from following the same path. The
Featured image for “UDC joining with Rasa Legal and USARA to support free expungement opportunities”
September 14, 2023

UDC joining with Rasa Legal and USARA to support free expungement opportunities

The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) is teaming up with Rasa Legal and Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness (USARA) to help low-level offenders clear their records and get their lives back on track. As part of National Recovery Month, Rasa Legal is donating 30 free expungements and a Second Chance Fund is being created to cover government fees for
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
Featured image for “Conversations With Corrections: Structured Housing”
July 19, 2023

Conversations With Corrections: Structured Housing

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19CQ0iHDUlk[/embedyt] In this interview, Lieutenant Aaron Johnson and Sergeant Ray Eberly shed some light on the concept of structured housing at the Utah State Correctional Facility. They discuss how structured housing presents a compelling alternative to traditional maximum security housing approaches, the various processes that help incarcerated individuals succeed in structured housing, and the challenges they’ve faced while implementing
Featured image for “Lotion-based mosquito repellent now available at USCF”
July 18, 2023

Lotion-based mosquito repellent now available at USCF

As the mosquito season hits full power, the Utah Department of Corrections is taking additional steps to help staff and incarcerated individuals avoid the annoying insects at the Utah State Correctional Facility. UDC is rolling out a lotion-based repellent that will be available at no cost to staff and incarcerated offenders at USCF. The product being used was recommended by
Featured image for “UDC provides update on mosquito abatement efforts at USCF”
April 26, 2023

UDC provides update on mosquito abatement efforts at USCF

Mosquitoes have been a concern for the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake since July 2022, when the facility began housing incarcerated individuals. While mosquitoes and other biting insects are always a nuisance in remote wetland areas, such as the site that USCF occupies, the influx of incarcerated individuals, UDC staff, and the facility’s infrastructure have all acted
Featured image for “Utah Corrections Turns the Corner on Recruitment and Retention Efforts”
March 9, 2023

Utah Corrections Turns the Corner on Recruitment and Retention Efforts

The Utah Department of Corrections is turning a corner on recruitment and retention efforts with significantly more individuals coming into the agency than leaving.  “Everyone’s efforts to help both recruit and retain certified staff are paying off,” said Spencer Turley, assistant deputy executive director with the Utah Department of Corrections in a message to Department staff earlier this week. “Thank
February 8, 2023

UDC Addresses Recent Assaults Against Staff at USCF

Dan Chesnut, Prison Operations Director at the Utah Department of Corrections, provided an update today following three recent assaults against staff at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City. It was followed by a live Q&A via Zoom.  “Let me be clear: Staff assaults are not acceptable. Ever,” said Chesnut on the live broadcast. “As we’ve reviewed these
October 24, 2022

Why changes to the laundry?

Laundry detergent has been removed from Commissary to help reinforce a rule that laundry cannot be washed at the housing unit. This rule is in place for several security reasons. Conflicts arise because a person or group takes possession of laundry buckets not allowing access to other offenders. Water temperatures are not hot enough to sanitize the laundry and 5-gallon
October 24, 2022

What’s going on with mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are bad this year in Utah. That headline may not come as a surprise to those who have been outside this summer. According to a recent Fox 13 News story, the number of mosquitoes in Salt Lake County is close to twice the five-year average for the region. It certainly isn’t a shock to those at the new Utah