In 2013, the Utah Legislature and Governor’s Office determined it was necessary to transition operations from the current prison in Draper (a more than 70-year-old campus) to a new facility. The overarching goal of this move was to replace the outdated facilities and aging infrastructure with a new, state-of-the-art facility. The Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) officially began operations in July 2022. This 200-acre correctional facility is located five miles west of the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Research shows that a prison population’s surroundings play a crucial role in their psychological rehabilitation. Therefore, the Prison Relocation Team determined that the design of the new correctional facility must be well-thought-out. It must integrate multiple functions, delivering court and social services to the population while providing an environment conducive to recovery and rehabilitation.
USCF features floor-to-ceiling windows in numerous housing sections, allowing those housed at the facility to enjoy natural light and views of the surrounding mountains. Following a similar naming convention as it predecessor, the 3,600-bed facility is populated with buildings named after waterways in the state: Antelope (restricted housing), Bear (general population), Currant (mental health, medical and geriatric), Dell (women’s general population), Emerald (women’s restricted housing), Fremont (intake), and Green (treatment and programming).
1480 N. 8000 W.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
Phone: 801-522-7000
individuals
*Data updated: 02/01/24
These buildings will house male inmates who could qualify for work, programming and education opportunities.
Currant houses geriatric, ADA and medical dependent inmates, as well as inmates requiring mental health treatment and attention.
The Green building is for inmates who are participating in Sex Offender or Substance Use treatment programs.
Sharon D’Amico was named the new warden at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake City in November 2024. She replaced Bart Mortensen after he was named chief of the Reentry and Rehabilitation Division.
D’Amico brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to the warden position. She started her career in January 1997 as a correctional officer at the Utah State Prison in Draper. Her career progressed as she was promoted to sergeant and later to case manager, where she honed her leadership skills and deepened her knowledge of programming for the incarcerated population.
D’Amico’s dedication and drive led to further promotions, first to lieutenant and then to captain, where her focus expanded from housing operations to internal and external security. Upon transitioning to USCF, she effectively applied her expertise, being promoted to deputy warden over internal security, support services, facility operations, and the receiving and orientation unit.