It's not every day that a reality television star lands a helicopter on prison property, so they can share a message of hope with incarcerated individuals. Actually, it's never been done in the history of Utah Corrections ...
The Utah Department of Corrections is turning a corner on recruitment and retention efforts with significantly more individuals coming into the agency than leaving. “Everyone’s efforts to help both recruit and retain certified staff are paying off,” said Spencer Turley, assistant deputy executive director with the Utah Department of Corrections in a message to Department staff earlier this week. “Thank you to everyone for your diligent efforts, please continue doing all you can to improve our staff retention and help recruit new staff. As you have additional ideas, please share them.” The agency is now gaining officers at a rapid rate. To take a snapshot of the past 12 months, from February 2022 through July 2022, 87 correctional officers left the agency, and 28 correctional officers were hired into the agency. This was a net loss of 59 people. In August 2022, following the opening of USCF, and after correctional staff received a substantial pay increase, these numbers reversed themselves. From August 2022 through February 2023, 34 correctional officers left the agency, 105 correctional officers were hired into the agency. This is a net gain of 71 people. After the August 2022 compensation increase, Governor Spencer Cox personally sent a letter to previous employees and asked them to return to work for Corrections. From August 2022 through February 2023, UDC has had 27 former staff members return to work as officers. During the 2023 calendar year, there are 10 academies scheduled, with seven in Salt Lake and three in Gunnison. There is also potential to add more classes if needed. Currently there are two academies underway in Salt Lake and one Gunnison with a second Gunnison class starting March 28. For the two Salt Lake classes, there are 38 officers that were hired for the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) and 12 that were hired for Community Correctional Centers. The current Gunnison academy has 21 correctional officers for the Central Utah Correctional Facility. Hiring for the March 28 academy, to be held in Gunnison, is still underway. At this point, it looks like CUCF will be really close to filling - or will actually be able to fill - every correctional officer position they have. And once the academy is complete, they will be fully staffed. This alone will help lessen the overtime load on all of our staff. In January 2023, UDC’s staffing models indicated a need for an additional 135 officers at USCF to eliminate mandatory overtime. If retention rates stay like they are now, and if UDC can average a minimum of 20 officers in each of the seven academy classes this year, that will be enough to nearly eliminate all mandatory overtime at USCF. ...
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWuT7dvIz-U[/embedyt] The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) provided an update today regarding an in-depth, ongoing review of safety and security at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake City. UDC noted several areas where improvements have already been made, and outlined short-term and long-term goals to ensure safety and security. “The safety of our staff and those we supervise is paramount,” said Brian Nielson, executive director with the Utah Department of Corrections. “We will continue to closely review our operations, ensure process improvements, and be diligent in our efforts to accomplish our Department’s mission. I cannot express in words how passionate, dedicated, and talented our team is in ensuring the safety of our operations and helping individuals find success.” The Department continues to review all areas of USCF. Short-term goals include improving facility infrastructure and security devices, increasing training, focusing on staff wellness, expanding programming, and focusing on gang interventions. Long-term goals include training and certifying staff in security audit practices. The Department will also work to identify clear incident reduction tracking mechanisms. And finally, we will continue to emphasize recruitment in order to eliminate mandatory overtime. Immediate areas of note include enhancements to the Antelope Facility, which is a restricted housing facility at USCF. Areas of improvement within this facility include addressing any blind spots, hiring additional control point operators, and identifying areas for improved communications....
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 can assure you that our process is not an easy process to promote in, so as everyone gets their stripes today and wears them, you should be proud," said Lieutenant Cory Rich at the ceremony on Monday. Spencer Turley, Division of Prison Operations Director, and Brian Nielson, Executive Director, also provided remarks at Monday's event. Congratulations to the following: Maxwell Bond Kaitlyn Smith Taylor Bender Christopher Jensen Brett Griffiths Jared Knighton Kayla Anderson Jordan Kearl Jeff Jensen Evan Pimentel Enoch Olsen Daniel Lancaster Cody Weyland Jay Neilson Justin Rogers Henry Clark Tammie Westerman Riley Averett ...
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 fallen officer table, followed by remarks from the Department’s executive director, Brian Nielson. "Credibility. It's something we do incredibly well in our community," he said. "Credibility is about doing good, being good and being good at what we do." Desmond Lomax provided the keynote this year. In addition to passing on career tips — "Don't retire three months before a pandemic," he joked — he highlighted the impact a person can have on another. "If you don't know what your impact is, then have the courage to understand what your impact is, whether it's asking your spouse, or at work," he said. "Ask, 'Am I impacting you in a positive or negative way.' Because if you can understand, then you can make the necessary adjustments." UDC awards chairpersons, Maria Peterson and Travis Knorr, presented the awards. A special video spotlight was given to the Executive Director Award recipient, the Civilian Employee of the Year and the Certified Employee of the Year. Communications office, Sept. 20, 2021...