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 “In-person Hearings at Utah Prison Sites Temporarily Suspended”
January 10, 2022

In-person Hearings at Utah Prison Sites Temporarily Suspended

Due to public health concerns surrounding COVID-19, in-person hearings at either of Utah’s prison sites have been suspended. Individuals will still be able to listen to live broadcasts as hearings occur at the following address: https://bop.utah.gov/hearings_live_stream. If you had planned on participating in a hearing in person, please contact our Victim Coordinator at 801-261-6464 to arrange an option to participate virtually.
January 8, 2022

Visiting temporarily suspended at all facilities starting Jan. 7

In the wake of increasing COVID-19 cases in Utah, in-person visiting has been suspended at both the Utah State Prison and Central Utah Correctional Facility. Officials with the Utah Department of Corrections do not anticipate that this will be a long-term suspension. If you have scheduled a visiting appointment, please do not show up. Our visiting team is attempting to
December 15, 2021

Holiday Gift Bags *No Longer Available*

UPDATE Communications office, Dec. 16, 2021 Holiday Gift Bags are no longer available for purchase. Thanks to all who participated!   The 2021 Holiday Gift Bags are now available from the Utah Department of Corrections’ commissary. There are two packages being offered. The Jumbo package costs $10.50 while the Mega package runs $11. Details of what’s included in each can
October 29, 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Page updated 10/29/2021 Visit coronavirus.utah.gov for statewide information. See updates below in the “Latest Update” section for more information regarding outbreaks at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison. Have specific questions regarding COVID-19 and your incarcerated family member or friend?Please contact our hotline at 801-545-5505.     __________________________________________________________     UTAH RESPONSE: The Utah Department of
Featured image for “Phone Rates Update 10.27.2021”
October 27, 2021

Phone Rates Update 10.27.2021

  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently introduced new rate caps to ensure that “rates for interstate and international phone calls are just and reasonable for all Americans.”   In working with our provider, GTL, we anticipated that adapting to the new regulations would reduce our overall rates, which went into effect on October 26, 2021.   We have been made
Featured image for “Employees honored at UDC awards banquet”
September 20, 2021

Employees honored at UDC awards banquet

  The Utah Department of Corrections celebrated the 2021 Department Awards event Wednesday at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. More than 150 gathered at the event center to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond in their quest to make the corrections department one of the best in the nation. Jim Hudspeth, executive deputy director, led the presentation of the
Featured image for “Birds of prey make an appearance at Utah State Prison”
September 10, 2021

Birds of prey make an appearance at Utah State Prison

Incarcerated individuals housed in Timpanogos and Promontory got a couple of special visitors recently. Bob, an American kestrel, and Phoenix, a red-tailed hawk, made an appearance at the two facilities thanks to the conservation group The Peregrine Fund. Erin Katzner and Chris Parish showed off the two while being peppered with questions from attendees about the birds. Yes, the American kestrel is
August 1, 2021

Utah inmates sentenced to death

Inmates under a death sentence in Utah as of March 2022
Featured image for “Visiting updates go into effect August 1”
July 30, 2021

Visiting updates go into effect August 1

Beginning August 1, in-person visiting will now be Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each visit will be approximately 1.5 hours. Video visiting will occur Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each visit will be approximately 30 minutes. Both video and in-person visits will still need to be scheduled. We are excited to announce
July 9, 2021

COVID-19 Updates

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates Page updated 06/29/2021 Visit coronavirus.utah.gov for statewide information. See updates below in the “Latest Update” section for more information regarding outbreaks at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison. Have specific questions regarding COVID-19 and your incarcerated family member or friend? Please contact our hotline at 801-545-5505.   __________________________________________________________ UTAH RESPONSE: The Utah Department