
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.

December 21, 2025
New Mailing System Coming January 5
To improve communication efficiency, safety, and reliability, the Utah Department of Corrections is moving to a new mail system for incarcerated individuals. Effective January 5, 2026, all personal (non-legal) mail will be processed and delivered directly by UDC mail processing centers, replacing the current third-party service. To ensure proper delivery, beginning January 5, 2026, all incoming mail must be sent to the
December 9, 2025
State Agencies Unveil First Parole Conditions Revision In Years
Collaborative Effort Between Utah Board of Pardons and Parole (BOPP) and Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) Focuses on Clarity, Consistency, and Public Safety Salt Lake City – Dec. 9, 2025 – The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole (BOPP) and the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) have finalized a significant revision to the state’s parole conditions. This is the first time the conditions

November 26, 2025
Inmate Ralph L. Menzies Passes Away
The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) is notifying the public that inmate Ralph L. Menzies passed away from presumed natural causes at a local hospital at 1:45 p.m. today, November 26, 2025. He was 67 years old at the time of his death. The Department issued this public notification after contacting Mr. Menzies’ next of kin, and the family of

November 3, 2025
UDC Hosting Second Chance Career Fair
The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) will host a Second Chance Career Fair from 8 a.m. to noon, Friday, November 7, at the Fortitude Treatment Center, 1747 S 900 W, in Salt Lake City. The event is designed to connect individuals on probation or parole with second chance employers — businesses committed to providing meaningful job opportunities to those working

October 20, 2025
Citizens’ Academy Graduates Class No. 2
After more than two months of “training,” 15 participates graduated for the Utah Department of Corrections’ second Citizens’ Academy. UDC Deputy Executive Director Spencer Turley gave the keynote address, engaging with the group about what they learned during the training and what they will take away from the experience. Angela Johnson was the class speaker. The comprehensive 10-week program is

August 18, 2025
UDC Hosting Family Orientation Gathering Sept. 11
The Utah Department of Corrections is hosting a Family Orientation gathering at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Fred House Academy, 14727 Minuteman Drive, Draper. The seminar is for everyone, from those who recently had a loved one incarcerated to Join us for an important discussion and stay informed about our community initiatives. A wide range of topics

August 7, 2025
Fall Packages Now Available For Purchase
Fall packages, part of the Utah Department of Corrections’ Quarterly Package Program, runs through August 31, 2025, offering family and friends the chance to send care packages to inmates. Snacks, pastries, ready-to-eat meals and much more — many not sold in regular commissary — are available. By utilizing the approved item list, you can deliver practical gifts that enhance the

July 14, 2025
UDC Press Conference Concerning Execution Warrant
The Utah Department of Corrections will hold a press conference to discuss the details of theexecution warrant for Ralph Menzies. The media availability will begin at 10 a.m., Monday, July 14, and will be livestreamed on the UDC’s offical YouTube channel (@UtahCorrections). UDC Executive Director Jared Garcia and Communications and Government Relations Director Glen Mills will discuss procedures related to

June 19, 2025
UDC To Pursue Alternatives For Mail Service
The Utah Department of Corrections has worked diligently for the last several months with the third-party mail scanning vendor, Pigeonly, to find a remedy to the mail issues experienced by families and the incarcerated. We provided the vendor a list of delinquencies in their contract performance and a 30-day period to cure these items. As of today, UDC does not

May 30, 2025
Deadline For Upcoming UDC Citizens’ Academy Extended
The Utah Department of Corrections is accepting applications for the Second Annual Citizens’ Academy, running from August to October 2025. Interested parties now have until June 30, 2025 to apply. The comprehensive 10-week program is designed to increase the public’s knowledge of the various divisions within the Utah Department of Corrections. Instruction will cover a variety of topics each week,