Paul Augason, the Risk Management/Emergency Planning Coordinator for the Utah Department of Corrections, has received the prestigious Safety Specialist Certification from the Utah Safety Council. The certification, which comes after the completion of a challenging series of courses, is some of the most advanced training available, said John Wojciechowski, President of the Utah Safety Council. “It means being able to do a good assessment and helping employees navigate the workplace safely,” he said. “In the end, it’s getting people home to their families every day.” Auguson is part of the UDC Risk Management/Emergency Planning team in the Facilities Bureau. He noted the department will benefit in examining scenarios, identifying risks and finding solutions. “It allows the team to help the department ensure employee safety,” he said. Division Director Shawn Anderson said Augason’s accomplishment will help the department in its quest to keep risk to a minimum. “It shows that we are proactive and being safety minded,” he said. “It shows we have staff looking out for everyone.”...

Memorial services were held on July 27 and 28 at USCF to honor the life and passing of K-9 Officer Loki. Staff were invited to pay respects to the life and service of our beloved K-9 partner. Loki, born February 2, 2015, was a Belgian Malinois. After being procured by the UDC in 2017, K-9 Officer Loki served admirably for six years under the guidance of three different handlers. Throughout his career, Loki demonstrated exceptional skills in narcotics detection and suspect apprehension. Loki also represented the department in many K-9 demonstrations and competitions. His deployments at various correctional facilities, including the Utah State Prison, Utah State Correctional Facility, and Adult Probation and Parole, were notably successful. Additionally, Loki provided valuable support to other agencies in the valley through his K9 deployments. Loki's commitment to duty and exceptional service to the community will forever be remembered and honored. His loss leaves a profound void in our law enforcement family. Rest in peace, loyal K-9 Officer Loki.   Communications Office, Andrew Damas...

As National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week approaches, the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) gears up to host a series of events designed to highlight the crucial work of our dedicated Adult Probation and Parole (AP&P) agents. From July 17th to the 21st, legislators and local media will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the reentry and supervision processes that help reintegrate individuals into society and ensure public safety. Throughout National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week, the UDC wants to recognize and celebrate the hard work and unwavering dedication of its AP&P agents. These professionals promote rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and safeguard communities. Their commitment to serving and assisting individuals navigating the challenging path to reintegration is paramount in fostering a safer and more inclusive society. The UDC encourages legislators, media representatives, and the public to participate in these events, providing a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of reentry and supervision processes. By engaging with these events, attendees will witness the transformative power of dedicated individuals working towards creating a brighter future for those seeking to rebuild their lives....

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 the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement District.   Every incarcerated individual will have access to the repellent, but the method in which they use the lotion depends on their housing location. Some will have it available during times when movement is permitted in their sections. Others will have open access monitored by correctional staff. Those in restricted units will be offered the lotion as they are escorted to recreation yards. “We take the concerns about mosquitos seriously and are working to alleviate as many concerns as possible,” said Spencer Turley, an Assistant Deputy Executive Director at the UDC. “We are grateful for the funding and support from the Governor's Office and the Legislature that allowed us to offer this repellent to all incarcerated individuals and staff for free. We are also thankful for the ongoing support and partnership with the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement District.”   In addition, Utah Correctional Industries is in the process of designing and creating secure dispensers for the lotion. This will allow greater access to the repellent.  Individuals may still purchase their own repellent via commissary, and use the lotion as needed.    Thanks to support in the Utah State Legislature, the UDC has partnered with SLCMAD for a multi-pronged mitigation effort. The plan includes aerial spraying, insecticide applications, traps and other preventative measures. You can learn about other efforts the UDC has been working on with the abatement district on our website. You can also hear about mosquito abatement at USCF in our Conversations With Corrections podcast featuring abatement district officials. More information for roll out and utilization of the repellant will be forthcoming.   ...

The Utah Department of Corrections hosted Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson at the Utah State Correctional Facility on Thursday, June 29. Her visit provided valuable insights into our operations and a chance to showcase our commitment to public safety and rehabilitation. We were grateful that Lt. Gov. Henderson joined us for this visit. It underscores the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving our shared goal of a safer and more rehabilitative justice system. Stay tuned for more updates on our initiatives and efforts to promote public safety, rehabilitation, and successful reentry. Together, we can positively impact the lives of our staff, individuals under our care, and the communities we serve. Andrew Damas, Communications Office...

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 335. Those earning awards in the class include Joshua Ludlow (Physical Fitness), Michael Burnett (Professionalism), and Kody Woffinden (Academic). Joshua Ludlow was also named Outstanding Trainee achieving the highest academic and physical fitness scores. The new cadets also heard from keynote speaker, Assistant Deputy Executive Director of the UDC, Maria Shirey. The class motto was "Memento Mori!" Congratulations to all. Andrew Damas, Communications Office...

Governor Spencer J. Cox, in recognition of the outstanding dedication and service exhibited by correctional officers, adult probation and parole agents, and other correctional professionals, has declared May 7-13, 2023, as "Utah Corrections Week" throughout the state. The proclamation highlights the critical role played by correctional professionals in maintaining safe correctional facilities, ensuring public safety through offender supervision in the community, and promoting the rehabilitation and successful reentry of individuals. It acknowledges the expertise and qualifications of these professionals and their unwavering commitment to upholding the law while providing care and guidance to offenders. Governor Cox's declaration recognizes the dignity with which correctional professionals uphold the law, simultaneously ensuring the public's protection from criminal activity. Furthermore, it acknowledges their role in providing offenders with direction, hope, and new perspectives, assisting them in their reentry into society. During "Utah Corrections Week," various events and activities will be organized to honor and celebrate the contributions of correctional professionals. The week also serves as an invitation to the public to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of correctional professionals and support the successful reintegration of offenders. Governor Spencer J. Cox's declaration of "Utah Corrections Week" aims to emphasize the vital importance of the corrections profession, commend the dedication and professionalism of correctional professionals, and raise awareness of their role in maintaining public safety and promoting rehabilitation throughout the state.   Kaitlin Felsted, Communications Office...

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]...

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!...

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!...

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