Image of Richard Piatt, UDC Director of Communications and Government Relations

RIchard Piatt
Director of Public Affairs
[email protected]
1.801.560.7608

Welcome to the Utah Department of Corrections Newsroom. This is your direct source for the latest press releases, blog posts, and official agency updates.

UDC News

Featured image for “Utah Board Of Pardons And Parole Launches Educational Text Messaging Services”
October 23, 2026

Utah Board Of Pardons And Parole Launches Educational Text Messaging Services

The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole is proud to announce the launch of a new educational text messaging series designed for families and friends of incarcerated individuals navigating the post-conviction process. The educational series provides subscribers with short, weekly text messages explaining what occurs after a person is sentenced to prison, how hearings are scheduled, and how parole decisions
Featured image for “Heavy Rains Hit CUCF, Cause Minor Damage”
October 23, 2026

Heavy Rains Hit CUCF, Cause Minor Damage

A storm in the Gunnison area this week caused minor water leaks at the Central Utah Correctional Facility. Most of the damage was limited to ceiling tiles in the Boulders unit. The area is currently undergoing construction to install air conditioning and roofing upgrades. No inmates were displaced and operations were not impacted.
Featured image for “UDC, State Leaders Hold Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony At Orange Street”
October 8, 2026

UDC, State Leaders Hold Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony At Orange Street

Utah Department of Corrections Commissioner Jared Garcia joined legislative leaders and key stakeholders from Utah’s justice and social service systems for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, October 7, dedicating the Orange Street Correctional Center facility. Well over 100 attendees witnessed the ceremony that was part of the official launch for the ARCH Project, a pioneering initiative designed to break the cycle
Featured image for “Medallion Ceremony Held For Stephen Anderson”
October 2, 2026

Medallion Ceremony Held For Stephen Anderson

More than 19 years after he was laid to rest, friends and family of fallen correctional officer Stephen Anderson gathered recently at the Bluffdale City Cemetery to witness a modification to his headstone.  Members of the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Board recently placed a medallion on Anderson’s grave, noting that he was killed in the line of duty.  The event
Featured image for “9/11 Service Project Will Help Refugee Communities And Crisis Outreach”
September 19, 2026

9/11 Service Project Will Help Refugee Communities And Crisis Outreach

Residents in the Dell and Green housing units recently participated in the 9/11 service project at the Utah State Correctional Facility. Incarcerated individuals built approximately 3,000 hygiene kits that will be distributed to refugee communities and Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams across Utah. But it was more than just building the kits. Incarcerated individuals at the facility donated more than $2,190 of
Featured image for “Meet Cypher And Glitch, UDC’s Electronic Detection Dogs”
September 4, 2026

Meet Cypher And Glitch, UDC’s Electronic Detection Dogs

The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) is expanding its enforcement capabilities with the addition of two specialized K-9 officers, Cypher and Glitch, who are specifically trained to sniff out illicit electronic devices. Assigned to the Adult Probation and Parole (AP&P) team, these K-9s will be instrumental in monitoring probationers and parolees who are prohibited from possessing such technology as a
Featured image for “Crews Repair Water Main At Central Utah Correctional Facility”
September 3, 2026

Crews Repair Water Main At Central Utah Correctional Facility

Crews worked late into the night on Wednesday, September 2, to repair a water line break at the Central Utah Correctional Facility. The break was detected around 8 p.m. when water pressure at the facility began to drop. Utah Department of Corrections Facilities staff responded and assessed the situation. A number of CUCF’s leadership staff also responded to the site
Featured image for “Bear 1 And 2 Return To Normal Visiting Schedules”
August 4, 2026

Bear 1 And 2 Return To Normal Visiting Schedules

As of Tuesday, August 4, 2026, normal visiting schedules in the Bear 1 and Bear 2 housing units have resumed. Recreation for the two units will continue on a modified schedule. The two areas of the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) were impacted after the facility went into lockdown status on Sunday, July 26, 2026, when an inmate violently attacked
Featured image for “Wildfire prompts UDC To Evacuate State Inmates From Millard County Jail”
August 3, 2026

Wildfire prompts UDC To Evacuate State Inmates From Millard County Jail

For the second time in a month, a wildfire has prompted the Utah Department of Corrections to evacuate state inmates from a county jail as a precautionary measure. On Sunday night, August 2, 2026, 40 state incarcerated individuals housed at the Millard County Jail were moved to the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) due to the uncontained Widemouth 2 Fire,
Featured image for “UDC Resumes Offering Visiting Photos For Families and Friends”
July 30, 2026

UDC Resumes Offering Visiting Photos For Families and Friends

The Utah Department of Corrections is bringing back the opportunity for incarcerated individuals to take photographs with their friends and family members during in-person visits. Beginning August 1, 2026, eligible offenders may have one family-style photograph taken during an in-person visit every 12 months. Visiting staff will facilitate the photographs and provide the images to the participating family members. Requesting