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 “USCF Taking Measures to Treat Scabies”
March 14, 2025

USCF Taking Measures to Treat Scabies

UPDATE 3/17/2025 – The first round of treatment has been administered and the lockdown in this section has been lifted. A case of scabies in a section of the Utah State Correctional Facility will close some areas to visitors and quarantine inmates in the infected unit. The reported case is currently in the geriatric section of Currant, a unit that
Featured image for “Pigeonly Mail Update: Results Of Survey So Far”
February 14, 2025

Pigeonly Mail Update: Results Of Survey So Far

The Utah Department of Corrections is continuing to seek comments from constituents concerning Pigeonly, the UDC’s new mail system. To curb the introduction of mail contraband, the Utah Department of Corrections implemented a new incarcerated person(s) mail delivery process on January 6, 2025. Incoming mail from friends and family is now sent to Pigeonly Corrections’ mail processing center where it
Featured image for “New incarcerated person(s) Mail System Starts Jan. 6”
December 2, 2024

New incarcerated person(s) Mail System Starts Jan. 6

To curb the introduction of mail contraband, the Utah Department of Corrections is implementing a new incarcerated person(s) mail delivery process. Effective January 6, 2025, incoming mail from friends and family must be sent to Pigeonly Corrections’ mail processing center. Incarcerated Individual Name – Offender ID Number Utah State Correctional Facility -1700 PO Box 96777 Las Vegas, NV 89193 Incarcerated Individual
Featured image for “Governor meets with staff, incarcerated individuals at USCF”
December 2, 2024

Governor meets with staff, incarcerated individuals at USCF

Gov. Spencer Cox visited the Utah State Correctional Facility on Monday, December 2, speaking to Utah Department of Corrections staff as well as incarcerated individuals at the site. Cox first met with staff, where he was introduced by UDC Executive Director Brian Redd. Cox shared his thoughts on leadership and dealing with conflict. The governor also spoke about his appreciation
Featured image for “D’Amico tabbed to replace Mortensen as USCF Warden”
November 1, 2024

D’Amico tabbed to replace Mortensen as USCF Warden

Sharon D’Amico has been named the new warden at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake City. She replaces Bart Mortensen, now promoted to be the new chief of the Reentry and Rehabilitation Division. This move is a first in the history of the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC), as female wardens now lead both facilities. D’Amico brings
Featured image for “Four arrests in eight days highlights UDC drug interdiction efforts”
March 6, 2024

Four arrests in eight days highlights UDC drug interdiction efforts

The Utah Department of Corrections is warning visitors not to bring contraband to its facilities after four were arrested in eight days for attempting to pass drugs to inmates. In one of the more brazen cases, an incarcerated offender made a hole in the plexiglass barrier during an attempt to receive an illegal substance from a visitor. That inmate, Kevin
Featured image for “Court comes to USCF in pilot program”
December 18, 2023

Court comes to USCF in pilot program

It looked like a courtroom, complete with flags and the state seal.  There was a judge, prosecutors and a defense attorney. The defendant was brought in to face charges. It featured real pleas and real sentences. Yet those facing incarceration didn’t have to wait to be transferred to prison. They were already there. The courtroom had come to them. For
Featured image for “Blau honored with Governor’s Award”
October 20, 2023

Blau honored with Governor’s Award

Jennifer Blau of the Utah Department of Corrections has been honored with the Governor’s Award for Excellence for her efforts as a supervisor of pre-sentence investigation writers. Gov. Spencer Cox presented Blau and 25 other state employees with the award during a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion recently. The awards are an annual event designed to recognize the contributions of
Featured image for “Reading for the Blind Program thrives at USCF”
October 16, 2023

Reading for the Blind Program thrives at USCF

It’s the quiet. It’s what makes it stand out in a place of constant noise. Which is strange, because the Reading for the Blind Program at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) is all about sound. The program utilizes incarcerated individuals to give a voice to novels, plays, magazines and more. Their audience will be some of the millions of
Featured image for “Timpanogos Community Treatment Center Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony”
September 29, 2023

Timpanogos Community Treatment Center Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The Utah Department of Corrections held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Timpanogos Community Treatment Center on Thursday, Sept. 28. Attended by state and local elected officials, media representatives and UDC employees, the ceremony marked the completion of construction and the readiness to begin operations at the center. “It’s the first of it’s kind for UDC in Utah County,” said Brian Redd,