The 2023 Summer Quarterly Commissary Bags are now available from the Utah Department of Corrections’ commissary. You can find more details about the program here. Once on the site, enter the number of the incarcerated individual or use the search function to find the person by name. From there, you can compile a commissary bag. Please complete your order before March 19, 2023. For questions regarding the process, please get in touch with customer service at 469-936-0214.   Communications Office, May 3, 2023...

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 as attractants for even more mosquitoes. This makes abatement efforts essential for maintaining the well-being and safety of our incarcerated population and staff. Thanks to the support of Utah’s legislators, $300,000 was approved this year in additional funds to address mosquito abatement at USCF.  UDC’s facilities team – which maintains the Department’s facilities – and the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD) have stepped in to provide assistance and expertise. The district’s experience has been crucial in helping the UDC develop an effective abatement plan. Earlier this year, UDC communications specialist Liam Truchard spoke in-depth with Salt Lake City Abatement’s education specialist, Michele Rehebin, along with UDC’s Facilities Director, Shawn Anderson.  “Collaboration is the big key,” said Rehebin. “We are communicating with everybody to make sure we each know what we are supposed to be doing and how we can accomplish these different types of activities.” You can hear the full discussion on the UDC’s Youtube page here: https://youtu.be/X4n49Q9mnj0 As temperatures rise and standing water collects around the facility, the mosquito problem is expected to become more severe. One of the most important steps in the abatement process is larviciding. According to the National Institute of Health, larviciding refers to the regular application of chemical or microbial insecticides to water bodies or water containers to kill the aquatic immature forms of the mosquito (the larvae and pupae).  Training will be provided to staff, who will be carrying out the process. Larvicide will be used in storm drains throughout USCF, killing mosquito larvae before they can grow into adults. Another method in the abatement plan is the implementation of traps on facility grounds. The SLCMAD is identifying species and potential breeding sites at the facility and surrounding areas. The elimination of standing water sources like puddles, ponds, and drainages should be an effective way to reduce the source of mosquitoes. “Mosquito abatement is a critical component of public health, especially in areas with particularly large mosquito populations,” said Spencer Turley, assistant deputy executive director with UDC. “The collaboration between SLCMAD and USCF staff is an excellent example of how agencies can work together to address public health concerns. We truly value this partnership and the positive impact it will have on our facility, staff, and incarcerated population.” As the spring and summer seasons approach, mosquito abatement efforts will continue to be a priority at the USCF. With the combined efforts of the UDC and SLCMAD, officials hope that the mosquito problem will be effectively controlled, and incarcerated individuals and staff can enjoy a safe and healthy environment. After approval last year through both UDC’s medical and prison operations teams, mosquito repellant continues to be available for incarcerated individuals through commissary. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4n49Q9mnj0[/embedyt]...

A pre-scheduled maintenance for portions of the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City will require the water to be shut off in two-hour segments today, April 27. To minimize the impact on incarcerated individuals utilizing those areas, drinking water will be made available and portable bathrooms have been brought in. Again, each shutdown is expected to last up to two hours....

We are excited to share recent updates about the UDC's K-9 Unit! We have selected two new additions to the K-9 Unit. K-9 Kylo – a German Shepherd, and K-9 Roman – a Belgian Malinois. As they prepare to serve the department, they and their handler partners will attend POST certification courses for narcotics detectors and police patrol dogs. Additionally, we would like to recognize the recent success of our K-9 Unit at the 31st annual Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department K9 Trails! This year's competition included 78 law enforcement and military teams nationwide. Sergeant Jacob Waters and K-9 Knox placed first in Tactical Obedience and first in Agility – demonstrating their exceptional training and dedication to their work. We are proud of our K-9 Unit and grateful for their service to our department and the community. We look forward to their continued success and contributions to the safety and security of our operations!...

The Utah Department of Corrections would like to thank Congressman Burgess Owens (R-Utah), members of his staff and Gunnison city officials for visiting the Central Utah Correctional Facility on Friday, April 7. Since retiring from the NFL, Burgess has devoted his time to mentoring and improving the lives of our next generation of leaders. He founded Second Chance 4 Youth, a Utah-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping troubled and incarcerated youth.   We appreciate the opportunity to showcase our efforts to help incarcerated individuals successfully reenter society....

Dr. Kim Michelson, former State Dental Director and current clinical dentist for the Utah Department of Corrections, has recently been recognized by the Utah Dental Association with a Distinguished Service Award! Dr. Michelson served with the Utah Department of Health from 2009 to March 2022, striving to improve dental care for all of Utah, especially for the underserved. 12 of his 13 years with them were full–time, where he served in various public health dentistry settings, including nine years as the State Dental Director. He worked with CMS, CDC, UDA, the Utah Oral Health Coalition, and other boards and committees, is a co-author of the "2015–2016 Oral Health Status of Utah's Children" report, and served as the president of the Salt Lake District Dental Society with the UDA from 2013 to 2014 and served on their board from 2007 to 2014. He is also a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy.   "Dr. Michelson is a key component to the dental team," said Dr. Marcus Wisner, Dental Director for the UDC. "His ability to handle the most difficult clinical situations is inspiring. His steady demeanor and willingness to help wherever needed have proven essential to our success. Dr. Michelson joined us before our move from Draper to USCF. He was responsible for keeping the dental clinics operational during the move. He also serves as our in-house space expert – as in NASA and SpaceX."   Congratulations to Dr. Michelson for receiving this well-deserved award!...

The Utah Department of Corrections Training Academy continues to prepare new officers and deputies for careers in corrections. The latest to join the ranks include 46 cadets who graduated recently from Pre Service Academy 333. Those earning awards in the class include Mason Clark (Physical Fitness), Brandy Mahoskey (Professionalism), and John Whiteman (Academic). John Whiteman was also named Outstanding Trainee achieving the highest academic and physical fitness scores. The new cadets also heard from keynote speaker, Deputy Director of AP&P Irv Hale. The class motto was "333 Is The Key!" Congratulations to all....

Like many in Utah, Gunnison residents are thankful for the abundant snowfall this winter, easing drought conditions in the region. And like many in Utah, they are concerned a sudden rise in temperature will lead to rapid melt of the record-breaking snowpack, creating the possibility of flooding. It’s happened here before.  “I lived in Gunnison all my life,” said Ryan Thompson, a lieutenant at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in the city. “I remember the floods here in ’83.” With that in mind, Thompson has helped organize a volunteer effort between the prison and the city to fill sandbags. The city is providing bags and upwards of 50 tons of sand. Incarcerated individuals have volunteered to fill and prepare the bags, more than 2,800 total.  “The prison has been an asset to the city, for sure,” said J.D. Bunnell, Gunnison’s Public Works Director. The goal is to be prepared in case the worst happens.  The Governor’s Office, and officials across the state with counties and cities, are taking preemptive measures to be prepared for anticipated flooding from this year’s spring runoff.  “We are thankful we have the opportunity to contribute in any way we can to support the governor's initiatives related to flood mitigation and prevention,” said Spencer Turley, assistant deputy executive director with UDC. “We appreciate the partnership with local communities and look forward to finding additional ways to contribute in the future.” Additional benefits of filling the sandbags include allowing incarcerated individuals to give back to the community and building relationships between groups, said Deputy Warden Kristin Keisel.  “It was incredible to see the coordinated effort with staff, inmates and the city,” she said. The only question remaining is whether the bags will help stem expected runoff.  “We’re going to get water,” noted Bunnell. “I don’t know how much.  “That’s the scary part in all this.”...

The Utah Department of Corrections Training Academy continues to prepare new officers and deputies for careers in corrections. The latest to join the ranks include 21 cadets who graduated recently from Pre Service Academy 332. Those earning awards in the class include Koby Christensen and Cody Walk (Physical Fitness), Kyrsten Andrews (Professionalism), and Douglas Brown(Academic). Cody Walk was named Outstanding Trainee achieving the highest academic and physical fitness scores. The new cadets also heard from keynote speaker, Deputy Warden Kristen Keisel The class motto was "Veni, Vidi, Vici!", which translates to, " I Came, I Saw, I Conquered!" Congratulations to all....

The Utah Department of Corrections Training Academy continues to prepare new officers and deputies for careers in corrections. The latest to join the ranks include 35 cadets who graduated recently from Pre Service Academy 331.  Of the total, 16 will go to county jails throughout the state, 6 will become part of the Adult Probation and Parole division, and The remaining 13 will serve at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City. Those earning awards in the class include Niko Valerio of the Tooele County Sheriff's Office (Physical Fitness), Adam Faulkner of the UDC (Professionalism), and Jennifer Wilkinson of the Grand County Sheriff's Office (Academic). Joel Elliott of the San Juan County Sheriff's Office was named the top overall cadet. The class motto was "Conquer From Within!" Congratulations to all....

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