At the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF), the SOLID program (Successful Offenders Learning Individual Development) highlights how accountability and peer support can make a difference in an inmate’s rehabilitation.
On October 23, 2026, about 60 district attorneys from across the nation met with SOLID participants to hear firsthand how the voluntary initiative is transforming lives inside Utah’s prisons.
The prosecutors met the inmates as part of a Best Practices conference, sponsored by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill’s office. The group heard directly from inmates to gain a better understanding of how to enhance justice outcomes, lower recidivism, and cultivate public trust.
SOLID fosters a culture centered on personal growth. Participants commit to specific living and behavior standards, choosing self-improvement programs like education and exercise over stagnation.
During a candid dialogue, members shared the real-world challenges of being a SOLID team member including overcoming traditional “us versus them” prison politics. But they also pointed out how SOLID provides tangible pathways for personal growth. One inmate told the prosecutors that he is a different person now than when he entered the facility.
Ultimately, every inmate faces a choice in how they spend their time inside. Through initiatives like SOLID, these prosecutors gained perspective on what can happen after a person starts serving time behind bars.
