20 Oct

Posted at 11:05h in Latest News
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Jennifer Blau of the Utah Department of Corrections has been honored with the Governor’s Award for Excellence for her efforts as a supervisor of pre-sentence investigation writers. Gov. Spencer Cox presented Blau and 25 other state employees with the award during a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion recently. The awards are an annual event designed to recognize the contributions of state employees in the categories of innovation and efficiency, energy and environment, heroism, leadership and outstanding public service. The award recipients were selected as examples of distinguished service and dedication to the citizens of Utah. “We’re fortunate to have truly dedicated public servants who love this state and the people we serve,” said Gov. Cox. “These state employees represent the best of the best and contribute to Utah’s success. I could not be more proud or grateful for their efforts.” Blau supervises a team of 10 civilian pre-sentence investigation writers who work directly with criminal defendants to conduct fact-finding background interviews and investigations. They create a pre-sentence report, which is submitted to the court. Blau was instrumental in developing an in-service training program for all pre-sentence writers in the state. Her commitment to training Adult Probation and Parole staff on the processes and policies related to the sentencing of offenders helps improve community safety. The write-up for the award noted that Blau “is a standout employee with a strong desire to improve public safety and the lives of staff and those under UDC supervision. She effortlessly builds and maintains relationships with judges, clerks, attorneys, jail staff and sentencing commission staff. She is a true partner to all in the criminal justice field. (Blau) is an exceptional example of a true Peer Leader and public servant.” The Governor’s Award for Excellence was created in 2007 as a way to recognize the outstanding work of state employees and honor their achievements....

16 Oct

Posted at 15:15h in Hot Topics, Latest News, News Archives
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It’s the quiet. It’s what makes it stand out in a place of constant noise. Which is strange, because the Reading for the Blind Program at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) is all about sound. The program utilizes incarcerated individuals to give a voice to novels, plays, magazines and more. Their audience will be some of the millions of sight-impaired people who participate in the National Library Service, a free benefit provided to qualified participants by the Library of Congress. Reading for the Blind has been a part of the Utah Department of Corrections for over 40 years, first at Utah State Prison and now at USCF. “It’s so meaningful, not only to those who get our work, but to those who work here,” said Teena Brown, who oversees the program at the facility. “Once I got started, I fell in love with it.” Yet a hush prevails inside the classroom-sized office tucked near the Bear housing units. Those whose job it is to vocally project and speak clearly do so in recording booths behind soundproof doors. Others wear headsets while silently editing the day’s recordings. “I love it, the whole thing, (including) the quiet,” said Russell Black, who is incarcerated at USCF. He worked in other positions with Division of Prison Operations and with Utah Correctional Industries before landing at the program five years ago. He now does repairs on the digital talking book players, used by patrons of the library to listen to audiobooks and magazines. He fixes about 30 a month. “It’s one job that gives meaning to us doing something for those who can’t do it themselves,” he added. The NLS began with passage of the Pratt-Smoot Act in 1931, designed to provide books to blind adults. Its co-author was U.S. Sen. Reed Smoot of Utah. The act was amended in 1933 to include talking books. The Utah State Library administers the program not only for Utah, but for Alaska, Montana and Wyoming as well. It also provides braille material for an additional 19 states, said Lisa Nelson, program manager at the Utah State Library. “We’re very impressed with the quality of material they produce,” said Nelson. “They do a great job.” Quality, and quantity. The state library has a recording studio as well, but it is staffed by volunteers who may be in the office a day or two a week. The 16 or so staffers at USCF are there five days a week, cranking out content. “We can get things done a lot faster there,” noted Nelson. “They really do have a quick turnaround.” Small projects can be done in a week. Bigger projects, like entire books, take more time, said Christie Jensen, who has worked for the UDC for nearly 18 years and is currently the Library Director at USCF. “A few years back we did the entire Old Testament,” she said. Originally done on vinyl records and then cassette tapes, the service now uses a proprietary flash drive player that can hold 5 to 7 books, noted Nelson. The prison program has kept up, using modern digital editing and recording. Yet staff and offenders agree that while the work is enjoyable, the importance behind the program is what gives them the greatest satisfaction. “It’s always the one thing we can feel good about,” said Jensen. “We try to remind our offenders often how this work is meaningful. This program has impact.” Brown understands. She originally applied for what she thought was a library position at the UDC 18 months ago. Taking the position of program manager has been a godsend for her. “I didn’t know I was looking for it, but I’m so glad I found it.”...

06 Oct

Posted at 16:02h in Hot Topics
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Sitting in a Board of Pardons and Parole hearing room, they told their story: Three imprisoned women, discussing what led to their incarceration and their hopes for a better future. But this was no plea to a hearing officer in a bid to be released from custody. This was an attempt to keep others from following the same path. The three women spoke recently during a Public Awareness Panel at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake City. Organized by the Utah Department of Corrections, such panels allow incarcerated offenders to share the decisions that eventually brought them to prison. It also allows them to share the realities of life inside a fence line. They are held at both USCF and the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) in Gunnison. Their audience this day was a group of high school students from the Salt Lake City area. They sat respectfully as the three spoke in measured voices about sharing space with dozens of others on a daily basis and the challenges of maintaining family connections while missing milestones. “Being in prison is hard,” said Korie Wolfe. “It’s not easy to call my daughter on her 16th birthday and tell her I’ve been sentenced to five to life.    “There’s a better life out there.” Each told of their battles with substance abuse and the impact on their lives. Yet each also emphasized the hope they have that their future will be brighter. They also appealed to the students that if they were struggling with trauma, mental health or with some type of abuse to seek care. “Just know there is help out there for you guys,” said Wolfe. “Don’t be scared to ask for help.” The panels have been part of UDC programming for some time, though the program was put on hold during the pandemic. It stayed dormant in Northern Utah through the move from the Utah State Prison. It is now up and running at USCF, according to Lt. Courtney Whitney, who oversees scheduling for the program. “We hold them twice a month,” said Whitney. “We have room for more requests.” To schedule a panel at USCF, email UDC-USCFWardensOffice@utah.gov. For CUCF, email janderso@utah.gov or jasondavis@utah.gov....

29 Sep

Posted at 12:56h in Latest News
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The Utah Department of Corrections held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Timpanogos Community Treatment Center on Thursday, Sept. 28. Attended by state and local elected officials, media representatives and UDC employees, the ceremony marked the completion of construction and the readiness to begin operations at the center. "It's the first of it's kind for UDC in Utah County," said Brian Redd, Executive Director of the UDC, during the event. "The ultimate goal of a community treatment facility like this is to help individuals go back into society and contribute." Designed to provide those being released from incarceration with a stable environment while receiving additional treatment, the center will help individuals find employment, seek permanent housing and reintegrate themselves into society. Expected to open by the end of the year, the center at 748 N. 1340 W., in Orem, will be staffed around-the-clock. Timpanogos will be home to 33 parolees to start, with a maximum capacity of 82. It will be the sixth such facility operated by the UDC. The department operates four in Salt Lake County and one in Weber County. As part of the refurbishment of the center, a number of design elements have been added, including glass walls and wood floors. There is a spiral staircase in the center, linking the first- and second-floor staff areas. Luke Lassiter will serve as director of the facility....

24 Sep

Posted at 16:13h in Latest News, News Archives
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An incarcerated individual at the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) has died after being found unresponsive in his cell on Sunday, Sept. 24. The Utah Department of Corrections’ Law Enforcement Bureau and the Utah State Bureau of Investigation have responded to the incident and an investigation is underway. Steven Davis, 66, was found by staff Sunday morning and was declared deceased by responding medical personnel. The cause of death has not been determined at this time. Davis has been incarcerated since December 1983 for first degree sodomy of a child and parole violations. CUCF is located in Gunnison, UT and houses approximately 1,760 incarcerated men. The facility is on lockdown during the preliminary investigation with the exception of pre-scheduled visits....

22 Sep

Posted at 14:22h in Latest News, Uncategorized
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An outbreak of scabies in a section of the Utah State Correctional Facility will close some areas to visitors and quarantine inmates in the infected unit. Reported cases are currently in Green, a dorm-style housing unit where incarcerated individuals receive sex offense or substance abuse treatment. At least 57 people have been confirmed to have scabies. Visitation to this unit of the prison is temporarily closed. Nurses with the Division of Correctional Health Services are providing treatment, including the prescription cream permethrin, to everyone suspected or confirmed to have scabies. Clothing and bedding from those confirmed or suspected of being infected will be washed with a disinfectant solution and other areas of the state prison will be cleaned to prevent further spread. Inmates and staff will also receive education about the hygienic steps needed to protect themselves and others from scabies. According to the Centers for Disease Control, scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite. The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash. The scabies mite usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. More information is available from a CDC fact sheet. Communications office, September 22, 2023...

20 Sep

Posted at 20:41h in Featured, Improve Lives, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan
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Davis Technical College (Davis Tech) and the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) announced the launch of three new certification programs for women at the Utah State Correctional Facility today. The programs, which include Automation and Robotics, Information Technology, and Web and Graphic Design, provide valuable skills and knowledge to help incarcerated women successfully transition back into their communities. “In a limited environment, I feel limitless,” said Heidi Rasmussen who is a current participant in Davis Tech’s new programs. “Knowing that I can control my future … maybe this time I’ll be more successful upon release now that I am more eligible for jobs.” Attendees had the opportunity to meet with program instructors and participants, witness live demonstrations of the skills being taught, and hear success stories from current and former program participants. "We're thrilled to partner with Davis Technical College to offer these valuable certification programs to incarcerated women," said Brian Redd, executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections. "We believe that education and vocational training are essential tools in helping individuals successfully re-enter society, and we're proud to offer these opportunities to the women in our care." The Automation and Robotics, Information Technology, and Web and Graphic Design programs are part of a larger effort by UDC and Davis Tech to provide incarcerated individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed upon their release. By partnering with educational institutions like Davis Tech, UDC is able to offer a wide range of vocational training and educational programs during incarceration. “For 13 years, Davis Technical College has enjoyed its partnership with the Department of Corrections to offer technical education to individuals who are incarcerated, giving them a running start toward success after their release. We had long hoped to add more training options for women, which the new prison has made possible,” said Darin Brush, president of Davis Tech. “Now more students there can benefit from short-term training that leads directly to high-demand careers in our community, which helps all of us.”...

14 Sep

Posted at 08:43h in Hot Topics
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The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) is teaming up with Rasa Legal and Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness (USARA) to help low-level offenders clear their records and get their lives back on track. As part of National Recovery Month, Rasa Legal is donating 30 free expungements and a Second Chance Fund is being created to cover government fees for 30 individuals who qualify. “Expunging a criminal record is a key part of getting a job,” said Rasa Legal founder and CEO Noella Sudbury. “Linking people to good employment opportunities is one of the most effective ways to keep people crime-free, and our communities safe.” The fund helps clear a major hurdle for those who can’t afford it. “Starting with a clear record can help people move forward with their lives without the limitations and stigma of their past,” said USARA executive director Mary Jo McMillen. When this happens, the benefits go far beyond the individual. People who get that fresh start are 63 percent more likely to get a job interview and make 22 percent more one year after expungement. “That’s what corrections is all about -- working together as a department, and with community partners, to produce the strongest outcomes possible for the community,” said UDC executive director Brian Redd. “Preparing someone to take advantage of a second chance is the ultimate goal." 14717 South Minuteman Drive, Draper, UT 84020 • telephone (385) 296-3197 • facsimile (801) 523-7523 Individuals with records who want to be considered to receive one of the 30 free expungements can use Rasa’s eligibility tool for free at rasa-legal.com by entering the code RECOVERY. Our organizations are also urging community members to donate to the Second Chance fund throughout the month of September at myusara.com/SecondChance/. ...

08 Sep

Posted at 10:54h in Featured, Latest News
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All four sections of the Ironwood housing unit at Central Utah Correctional Facility recently participated in a cadence competition. The concept: See who can create and perform a military-style rhythm that echoes the positive message of the therapeutic program the incarcerated individuals participate in. Capt. Jennifer Mullins, who supervises the units at Ironwood, said it was those in the program who came up the idea. “They pitched it to the section, they all worked together to make it happen,” she said. “It helps them take pride in what they are doing.” Ironwood is set up as a therapeutic community, where inmates work on a highly structured treatment plan for 12 months or more. The program’s therapeutic design intentionally uses a positive peer culture and environment, where high standards, morals of “right living” and pro-social core values are reinforced with privileges, rewards and recognition. Alfredo Lolani, who was one of those who came up with the idea for the competition, noted that getting everyone onboard “wasn’t an easy task.” “We’re trying to build some solidarity,” he said. “We’re trying to show these guys another way. This brings everyone together. It a challenge to show themselves.” The sections created the acronym PREVAIL (People Recovering Every Value Available In Life) and used it in the presentations. For Steve Smith, the competition was fun. Being part of Ironwood community, though, it the big thing. “This is the most energized thing I’ve been able to do in this institution,” he said of the program. “I’m here for the next man, he’s here for me. “This is the happiest I’ve been since I’ve been incarcerated.” You can view the video here....

25 Aug

Posted at 20:36h in Featured, Hot Topics, Latest News, News Archives, Uncategorized
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The Utah Department of Corrections is collaborating with the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, the Salt Lake County Health Department, and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services to continue to implement preventive measures after detecting a West Nile virus-positive mosquito pool at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake City. "While this is considered routine detection and fairly common this time of year, our top priority is to protect both our staff and the incarcerated population from mosquito bites," said Brian Redd, executive director for the Utah Department of Corrections. "We are committed to education and prevention, providing free and accessible repellent. We're grateful for the strong collaboration with health and abatement officials, as well as for the funding received from the legislature last year, which enables us to effectively manage the mosquito population at USCF." Both incarcerated individuals and staff have been advised to take specific preventive measures for their safety. Mosquito repellent is accessible throughout the facilities, with monitoring by correctional staff. For those in restricted units, repellent will be provided during transitions to recreation yards. UDC is encouraging staff and incarcerated individuals to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and close-toed shoes to minimize the risk of mosquito bites. Medical personnel at the prison will be monitoring staff and inmates for symptoms of West Nile virus. “Our medical teams at the prison will be closely watching for signs of the virus and be prepared if there is an infection,” said Dr. Michelle Hofmann, executive medical director for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, which now oversees medical services at the state prisons. Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus are most active 30 minutes before sunset, one hour after sunset, and one hour after sunrise. Heightened vigilance has been advised during these peak times. “While we are not seeing an immediate threat from this early detection, given the prison’s close proximity to the mosquito habitat and potentially infected mosquitoes, we want to ensure that everyone continues to be vigilant,” said Dr. Ary Faraji with SLCMAD. “We truly appreciate UDC’s collaborative efforts over the past year, and we will continue our surveillance and control measures at the prison and direct coordination with stakeholders.” UDC has been coordinating closely with SLCMAD since the move to the new correctional facility in July 2022. One of the cornerstone measures implemented this year is larviciding. This involves treating water bodies with specialized insecticides to kill mosquito larvae before they mature. UDC staff have been trained by SLCMAD in carrying out this process, particularly focusing on storm drains throughout the facility. In addition to larviciding, SLCMAD has also set up mosquito traps on the grounds to monitor and control the adult mosquito population. SLCMAD is also identifying mosquito species and potential larval habitats. One effective strategy has been the elimination of standing water sources, such as puddles, ponds, and drainage areas, which are potential larval habitats for mosquitoes. You can learn more about the collaboration between UDC and SLCMAD here: https://corrections.utah.gov/2023/04/26/udc-provides-update-on-mosquito-abatement-efforts-at-uscf/ You can learn more about the West Nile virus here: https://epi.utah.gov/west-nile-virus/ Listen to our podcast with SLCMAD concerning mitigation efforts at USCF: https://youtu.be/X4n49Q9mnj0?si=H13YeqG3oCLwsDJg...

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