Page updated 08/31/2021
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.
Please contact our hotline at 801-545-5505.
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UTAH RESPONSE:
The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) is working collaboratively with state partners — including the Lieutenant Governor’s task force — to address Coronavirus in Utah.
The safety of incarcerated individuals or those on supervision, along with our staff, volunteers and others who interact directly with our Department, is paramount.
As Coronavirus cases in Utah continue to increase, please know that we have outbreak strategies in place, which include prompt medical care and testing, and quarantining or isolating staff or incarcerated individuals. These updates will be shared via this webpage and social media.
For more information on the virus, and for state-related updates, please visit the website:
https://coronavirus.utah.gov/.
Learn more extensively about the many steps UDC has taken to ensure the safety and health of incarcerated individuals and those on supervision with the Department here: https://le.utah.gov/interim/2020/pdf/00002842.pdf
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THE NUMBERS:
Total Confirmed Offender Cases to Date by Location
*State and county jail incarcerated individuals are tracked together and totals would need to be requested from each county jail.
**At this time, the University of Utah Hospital requires that any inmate being transported to a hospital for any kind of care to be tested for COVID-19.
**Starting May 20, 2020, prison intakes will be limited to Wednesdays. These will include intakes from all county jails and from Adult Probation & Parole. In direct consultation with local health officials, it was decided that these individuals will be in a cohort together for two weeks, and will each be tested for COVID-19 within 24-48 hours of arrival. Those who decline to be tested will be placed in a designated, separate area for two weeks. Please note that this increase in testing each week will reflect a spike in the overall number of inmates tested at the Utah State Prison in Draper and possibly a marginal increase at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison.
Updated 08/30/2021
Total Confirmed Staff Cases: 464
Total Recovered Staff Cases: 458
Updated 08/30/2021
Vaccination Rate Percentages
Utah State Prison in Draper: 86%
Central Utah Correctional Facility: 78%
**Please note that this number reflects the percentage of individuals who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been offered to all incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, including all intakes. Incarcerated individuals who have not been vaccinated can request a vaccination by submitting an Inmate Care Request form (ICR), which is available in their housing units.
Updated 08/30/21
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LATEST UPDATES:
09/02/21
COVID-19 quarantine and isolation protocols initiated at Oquirrh 2 facility
Quarantine and isolation protocols have been initiated at the Oquirrh 2 facility at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper.
Tuesday evening our staff became aware of multiple inmates in Oquirrh 2 were exhibiting COVID-19 like symptoms. Upon receiving this information, our staff promptly placed the section on quarantine and tested all individuals in the section.
So far seven individuals in that section have tested positive for COVID-19.
Consistent with the rapidly rising case count in the community, the Department anticipates that as mass testing continues there may be more positive cases confirmed in the coming days
The incarcerated individuals in the section of Oquirrh 2 were initially hesitant to notify staff of their symptoms as quarantine and isolation protocols do inhibit movement and activities in affected areas.
While 86 percent of the population at USP has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, approximately only 50 percent have been vaccinated in the Oquirrh 2 section where positive cases have been confirmed. The vaccine has been offered to all incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, including all intakes. Incarcerated individuals who have not been vaccinated can request a vaccination by submitting an Inmate Care Request form (ICR), which is available in their housing units.
UDC continues to adhere to CDC protocols, and continues to coordinate closely with state and local health officials.
As a reminder, the Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.
The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who need an increased level of care, or require evaluation or care from a specialist.
Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.
Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.
Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.
Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.
As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual's medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. Incarcerated individuals can request this form from their housing officer or case manager.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording system, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.
08/31/2021
Effective September 1, 2021, the Board of Pardons and Parole is resuming in-person hearings at the Draper prison facility. The return will be gradual. All hearings moving forward, whether in-person or not, will continue to be streamed live over the Internet to provide better access as the Board conducts its work.
You can learn more here: https://bop.utah.gov/index.php/hearings-top-public-menu/live-stream
08/20/2021
COVID-19 Cases Confirmed at Ironwood Facility at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison
On August 16, two individuals sharing a cell within the Ironwood Facility at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison reported COVID-like symptoms. Staff did rapid tests on both individuals and results for both individuals came back positive. Both individuals were moved to isolation and the section was placed on quarantine.
At this time, all individuals in the housing section who were fully vaccinated have been tested and cleared from quarantine.
Based on COVID-19 protocols and discussion with state and local health officials, individuals who are unvaccinated in the section are being tested, and will remain on quarantine for at least two weeks. Quarantine may be extended depending on testing over the next couple weeks.
UDC continues to work with state and local health officials regarding COVID-19 protocols. The Department continues to adhere to CDC protocols.
As of August 18, 86 percent of incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison (USP) in Draper have been vaccinated and 76 percent at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison.
The vaccine has been offered to all incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, including all intakes. Incarcerated individuals who have not been vaccinated can request a vaccination by submitting an Inmate Care Request form (ICR), which is available in their housing units.
As a reminder, the Department provides on-site medical care through the Clinical Services Bureau, which operates infirmaries at both the Utah State Prison and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The infirmaries offer comprehensive, on-site medical care where medical staff can treat or stabilize inmates needing health care. Mental health services are also available to incarcerated individuals as needed.
The Bureau also contracts with outside hospitals and clinics for treatment of seriously ill inmates who cannot be properly cared for at an infirmary or require evaluation or care from a specialist.
Any incarcerated individual who exhibits symptoms outside the resources of our medical providers will receive care at a nearby hospital.
Our medical staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In areas of an outbreak our medical staff have an active presence on those units at least twice a day to check-in with incarcerated individuals.
Individuals who are already medically compromised (outside of COVID-19), have standardly had a greater medical presence and are actively monitored.
Any incarcerated individual that communicates any discomfort will be given access to medications required or any other treatment required.
As a reminder, the only way to share an incarcerated individual's medical information with a family member is through an Authorization to Formally Discuss Health Information Form. Incarcerated individuals can request this form from their housing officer or case manager.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
If you have additional questions, please contact the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 801-545-5505 or email corrections@utah.gov. Please expect that your call will go to a recording system, but we ask that you please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.
08/19/2021
Free Phone Calls Update
In March 2020 the Utah Department of Corrections suspended visiting as a preventative measure to inhibit the spread of COVID-19. Shortly after we suspended visiting, we offered incarcerated individuals at the Utah State Prison in Draper and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison 10 free 15-minute phone calls per week.
Over the last few months, we've launched video visiting for the first time in our correctional facilities and we've returned to allowing in-person visits. We're excited to share that we will now permanently offer video visiting.
Over the next few months, the Department will begin to phase out the free phone calls.
The calls will phase out over the next 150 days using the following schedule:
- September 1st--calls drop to 8 free calls per week
- October 1st--calls drop to 6 free calls per week
- November 1st--calls drop to 4 free calls per week
- January 1st--calls drop to 1 free call per week
- After January 1, 2022 all inmates will receive one free call per week. This one free call will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
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COMMUNICATIONS TO INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS:
October 2020 Newsletter
COVID-19 Initial Guidance April 2020