Karen Tapahe portrait

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.

UDC News

Featured image for “UPDATED: Access Corrections Issues Resolved”
May 23, 2025

UPDATED: Access Corrections Issues Resolved

UPDATE: As of May 26, 2025, Access Corrections is fully operational. Family members and loved ones can make deposits to inmate accounts at kiosks, phone and on the access corrections website. To ensure a smooth transition, people may still send money orders to: Inmate Accounting (address below). People may also drop off money orders to the UDC Administration building in
Featured image for “Full House Witnesses Davis Tech Graduation”
May 16, 2025

Full House Witnesses Davis Tech Graduation

In front of a packed house in mens’ visiting at the Utah State Correctional Facility, dozens of incarcerated individuals received their degrees during a graduation ceremony Monday, May 19, for Davis Technical College. This fiscal year, Davis Tech has 122 UDC graduates so far. By the end of the term, that will climb to about 135 graduates, according to Dan
Featured image for “SLCC Holds Graduation At USCF”
May 12, 2025

SLCC Holds Graduation At USCF

On Monday, May 12, 28 men and women graduated from Salt Lake Community College’s prison education program during a ceremony at the Utah State Correctional Facility. Among these individuals, the degrees earned include Associate of Science Degrees in Anthropology, Business, Criminal Justice, General Studies, and Computer Science and Information Systems. During her address, student speaker Maureen Wall encouraged her fellow
Featured image for “Ceremony Held At Law Enforcement Memorial”
May 6, 2025

Ceremony Held At Law Enforcement Memorial

Somber, respect and sadness permeated the annual remembrance Thursday at the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial. The sadness this year came from the necessity to add a name to the wall located on the grounds of the Utah State Capitol. The name of Santaquin Sgt. Billy D. Hooser was placed on the memorial, just under the name of Edwin J. Fisher
Featured image for “Law Enforcement Bureau K9 Doc Holliday Receives Body Armor”
April 10, 2025

Law Enforcement Bureau K9 Doc Holliday Receives Body Armor

Utah Department of Corrections – Law Enforcement Bureau K9 Doc Holliday has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Doc Holliday’s vest has been embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.” Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity
Featured image for “UDC Implements Virtual Legal Visits for Inmates”
March 25, 2025

UDC Implements Virtual Legal Visits for Inmates

The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) has announced the implementation of virtual legal visits for incarcerated individuals. This new approach offers several advantages: Convenience: Virtual visits eliminate the need for attorneys to travel to the two main UDC facilities (Utah State Correctional Facility and Central Utah Correctional Facility), saving time and resources. Flexibility: Virtual visits can be scheduled for the same time blocks as
Featured image for “USCF Taking Measures to Treat Scabies”
March 14, 2025

USCF Taking Measures to Treat Scabies

UPDATE 3/17/2025 – The first round of treatment has been administered and the lockdown in this section has been lifted. A case of scabies in a section of the Utah State Correctional Facility will close some areas to visitors and quarantine inmates in the infected unit. The reported case is currently in the geriatric section of Currant, a unit that
Featured image for “Leadership Changes Announced At UDC”
February 26, 2025

Leadership Changes Announced At UDC

Utah Department of Corrections Executive Director Brian Redd has been selected to head the Salt Lake City Police Department as its new chief. In a related move, Gov. Spencer Cox announced that UDC Deputy Executive Director Jared Garcia has been nominated to replace Redd as Executive Director. In an email to UDC staff, Redd said he will be leaving on
Featured image for “Pigeonly Mail Update: Results Of Survey So Far”
February 14, 2025

Pigeonly Mail Update: Results Of Survey So Far

The Utah Department of Corrections is continuing to seek comments from constituents concerning Pigeonly, the UDC’s new mail system. To curb the introduction of mail contraband, the Utah Department of Corrections implemented a new incarcerated person(s) mail delivery process on January 6, 2025. Incoming mail from friends and family is now sent to Pigeonly Corrections’ mail processing center where it
Featured image for “UCI commissary offering Package Program in February”
February 3, 2025

UCI commissary offering Package Program in February

The Utah Quarterly Package Program runs from February 1 through February 28, 2025, offering family and friends the chance to send care packages to inmates. By utilizing the approved item list, you can deliver practical gifts that enhance the welfare of your loved ones. Orders can be placed conveniently online at utpackageprogram.com or by phone at (469) 936-0214, with a total maximum