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 “UCI Service Project: Sevier County Backpack Club”
October 27, 2022

UCI Service Project: Sevier County Backpack Club

Incarcerated individuals working in the UCI textile shop produced 100 backpacks for donation to the Sevier County Backpack Club this month. This organization uses backpacks as a foundation to create food kits for children in need around Sevier County. “It really is a cool thing that they do, and we are happy we could be part of it,” said UCI
Featured image for “UPDATED: UDC fielding questions as staff, incarcerated settle in at USCF”
September 19, 2022

UPDATED: UDC fielding questions as staff, incarcerated settle in at USCF

The Utah Department of Corrections shares responses to common questions as staff and incarcerated individuals settle in at the new Utah State Correctional Facility. The first few items are ongoing concerns, while latter items are concerns that have been addressed and resolved. ONGOING FOOD: TIMING With moving to the new facility, we have introduced a new pattern for meals for
Featured image for “Corrections provides update on medications following transition to new records system”
September 2, 2022

Corrections provides update on medications following transition to new records system

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
Featured image for “UDC Continues to Address Issues with Transition to New Electronic Medical Records System”
August 24, 2022

UDC Continues to Address Issues with Transition to New Electronic Medical Records System

On August 1, Fusion (a vendor contracted with the Utah Department of Corrections) launched a new Electronic Health Records system to help manage care in correctional facilities. Within a matter of days, it became apparent that there were some problems with the roll-out. The scope of those issues is still being uncovered, but a glitch that initially seemed to cause
Featured image for “UDC addressing technical challenges in transition to new electronic records system”
August 19, 2022

UDC addressing technical challenges in transition to new electronic records system

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
Featured image for “UDC Completes Transition From Utah State Prison to New Utah State Correctional Facility”
July 15, 2022

UDC Completes Transition From Utah State Prison to New Utah State Correctional Facility

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
Featured image for “June 1, 2022: Property matrix for move to USCF released”
June 1, 2022

June 1, 2022: Property matrix for move to USCF released

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
Featured image for “April 15, 2022: Update on Move to New Utah State Correctional Facility”
April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022: Update on Move to New Utah State Correctional Facility

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
March 15, 2022

In-person visiting to resume April 1, 2022

With the decrease of Covid-19 cases throughout the state, the Utah Department of Corrections is resuming in-person visiting beginning April 1, 2022. There will be no age restrictions. Inmates can now have up to three visitors per session, as long as at least one is a child. Protocols that were previously instituted — barriers, social distancing, masks required for those over 3
Featured image for “Individuals promoted at Sergeant Pinning Ceremonies”
March 10, 2022

Individuals promoted at Sergeant Pinning Ceremonies

A number of individuals were promoted at Sergeant Pinning Ceremonies recently at the Fred House Academy in Draper and at the Central Utah Correctional Facility. Altogether, 30 of the 110 individuals who applied for sergeant passed the testing process. The process is both intimidating and difficult, including a written test, a practical test, a 15-minute panel presentation and interviews. “I