09 Apr

Posted at 13:50h in Improve Lives, Invest in Staff, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan
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The Utah Department of Corrections Training Academy continues to prepare new officers and deputies for careers in corrections. The latest to join the ranks include 21 cadets who graduated recently from Pre Service Academy 332. Those earning awards in the class include Koby Christensen and Cody Walk (Physical Fitness), Kyrsten Andrews (Professionalism), and Douglas Brown(Academic). Cody Walk was named Outstanding Trainee achieving the highest academic and physical fitness scores. The new cadets also heard from keynote speaker, Deputy Warden Kristen Keisel The class motto was "Veni, Vidi, Vici!", which translates to, " I Came, I Saw, I Conquered!" Congratulations to all....

29 Mar

Posted at 10:14h in Featured, Impact Globally, Improve Lives, Invest in Staff, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan
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The Utah Department of Corrections Training Academy continues to prepare new officers and deputies for careers in corrections. The latest to join the ranks include 35 cadets who graduated recently from Pre Service Academy 331.  Of the total, 16 will go to county jails throughout the state, 6 will become part of the Adult Probation and Parole division, and The remaining 13 will serve at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City. Those earning awards in the class include Niko Valerio of the Tooele County Sheriff's Office (Physical Fitness), Adam Faulkner of the UDC (Professionalism), and Jennifer Wilkinson of the Grand County Sheriff's Office (Academic). Joel Elliott of the San Juan County Sheriff's Office was named the top overall cadet. The class motto was "Conquer From Within!" Congratulations to all....

22 Mar

Posted at 12:58h in Featured, Impact Globally, Implement Strategically, Improve Lives, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan, Work Together
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The Utah Department of Corrections, in coordination with Davis County Sheriff’s Office, announced the expansion of opportunities for programming and reentry services to address individuals' risk factors when they return to prison for parole violations. The goal is to reduce core criminogenic risk factors for those who violate parole. Individuals who violate parole represent the largest admission group for the Utah Department of Corrections. In 2021, admissions from parole violators represented about two-thirds (67%) of all admissions to prison, while admissions from probation made up 18% of admissions. “We are excited to help these individuals be better equipped for success when they return to their communities,” said Brian Nielson, executive director with the Utah Department of Correction. “We are grateful for the collaboration with the Davis County Sheriff’s Office, and we look forward to expanding these opportunities in other areas of the state in the future.” Data shows that parole violators returning to prison on technical violations stay on average for eight months. The added programming and reentry services will address their core needs within a six month timeframe. “Oftentimes our standard programs for addressing criminogenic needs take longer than the average stay of someone returning for a parole violation,” said Lena Gustafson, the deputy programming director with the Utah Department of Corrections. “Corrections offers so much to every individual we supervise based on their assessed needs, and we’re excited to add more programming and reentry services to our repertoire to address those returning for a short stay for parole violations.” The core program that will be offered–Living in Balance–is customizable, comprehensive, and evidence-based, and takes approximately six months to complete. Customizable: Designed to be effective in both group and individual settings, it can be used in all levels of care and program types. It is designed so that clients can enter the program at any point in the cycle of sessions. Comprehensive: There are 47 sessions, each covering one specific topic. Clients are taught information about treatment and recovery, skills to handle feelings and emotions, information about preventing relapse, practical living skills, and how to manage distorted thinking and behaviors. Evidence-based: Developed by Danya International and tested as part of a NIDA-funded project, Living in Balance is a clinically validated, evidence-based program that has been proven to retain clients in treatment and reduce alcohol and other drug use. Davis Behavioral Health, which contracts with the Davis County Sheriff’s Office, will help to administer the support and classes specializing in mental health and peer support resources. "We're excited to partner with the Department of Corrections in this very important endeavor,” said Chief Arnold Butcher with Davis County Sheriff’s Office. “We believe this is a great opportunity to enhance the programs already offered at our facility. The Living in Balance curriculum will enhance safety throughout our community as we can work with parole offenders much sooner.” Other services provided will specifically address reentry needs, such as navigating parole, improving financial literacy, enhancing their work portfolio, resume, interviewing skills, and partnering with the Department of Workforce Services and Vocational Rehabilitation Services for other relevant needs....

09 Mar

Posted at 15:47h in Hot Topics, Invest in Staff, News Archives, Strategic Plan, Uncategorized
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The Utah Department of Corrections is turning a corner on recruitment and retention efforts with significantly more individuals coming into the agency than leaving.  “Everyone’s efforts to help both recruit and retain certified staff are paying off,” said Spencer Turley, assistant deputy executive director with the Utah Department of Corrections in a message to Department staff earlier this week. “Thank you to everyone for your diligent efforts, please continue doing all you can to improve our staff retention and help recruit new staff. As you have additional ideas, please share them.” The agency is now gaining officers at a rapid rate. To take a snapshot of the past 12 months, from February 2022 through July 2022, 87 correctional officers left the agency, and 28 correctional officers were hired into the agency. This was a net loss of 59 people. In August 2022, following the opening of USCF, and after correctional staff received a substantial pay increase, these numbers reversed themselves. From August 2022 through February 2023, 34 correctional officers left the agency, 105 correctional officers were hired into the agency. This is a net gain of 71 people.  After the August 2022 compensation increase, Governor Spencer Cox personally sent a letter to previous employees and asked them to return to work for Corrections. From August 2022 through February 2023, UDC has had 27 former staff members return to work as officers.  During the 2023 calendar year, there are 10 academies scheduled, with seven in Salt Lake and three in Gunnison. There is also potential to add more classes if needed.  Currently there are two academies underway in Salt Lake and one Gunnison with a second Gunnison class starting March 28. For the two Salt Lake classes, there are 38 officers that were hired for the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) and 12 that were hired for Community Correctional Centers. The current Gunnison academy has 21 correctional officers for the Central Utah Correctional Facility.  Hiring for the March 28 academy, to be held in Gunnison, is still underway. At this point, it looks like CUCF will be really close to filling - or will actually be able to fill - every correctional officer position they have. And once the academy is complete, they will be fully staffed. This alone will help lessen the overtime load on all of our staff.  In January 2023, UDC’s staffing models indicated a need for an additional 135 officers at USCF to eliminate mandatory overtime. If retention rates stay like they are now, and if UDC can average a minimum of 20 officers in each of the seven academy classes this year, that will be enough to nearly eliminate all mandatory overtime at USCF. ...

09 Mar

Posted at 11:35h in Improve Lives, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan
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The 2023 Spring Quarterly Commissary Bags are now available from the Utah Department of Corrections’ commissary. You can find more details about the program here. Once on the site, enter the number of the incarcerated individual or use the search function to find the person by name. From there, you can compile a commissary bag. Please complete your order before March 19, 2023. For questions regarding the process, please reach out to customer service at 469-936-0214.   Communications Office, March 9, 2023...

01 Mar

Posted at 14:03h in Implement Strategically, Improve Lives, Invest in Staff, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWuT7dvIz-U[/embedyt] The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) provided an update today regarding an in-depth, ongoing review of safety and security at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake City. UDC noted several areas where improvements have already been made, and outlined short-term and long-term goals to ensure safety and security. “The safety of our staff and those we supervise is paramount,” said Brian Nielson, executive director with the Utah Department of Corrections. “We will continue to closely review our operations, ensure process improvements, and be diligent in our efforts to accomplish our Department’s mission. I cannot express in words how passionate, dedicated, and talented our team is in ensuring the safety of our operations and helping individuals find success.” The Department continues to review all areas of USCF. Short-term goals include improving facility infrastructure and security devices, increasing training, focusing on staff wellness, expanding programming, and focusing on gang interventions. Long-term goals include training and certifying staff in security audit practices. The Department will also work to identify clear incident reduction tracking mechanisms. And finally, we will continue to emphasize recruitment in order to eliminate mandatory overtime. Immediate areas of note include enhancements to the Antelope Facility, which is a restricted housing facility at USCF. Areas of improvement within this facility include addressing any blind spots, hiring additional control point operators, and identifying areas for improved communications....

22 Feb

Posted at 13:52h in Invest in Staff, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan
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We're excited to announce the appointment of Irv Hale as the Deputy Director for Adult Probation and Parole. Irv most recently served as the Region Chief for AP&P in Region IV. He began his career with the Department in 1990 at the Draper prison as a Correctional Officer. He worked in several areas, particularly South Point, and was promoted to Sergeant, where he served in internal and external security for two years. In 1997, Irv accepted the position of Adult Probation and Parole Agent in the Provo office. He started in the intake unit for two years and then worked as an Agent supervising a caseload for the next three years. Irv was assigned as a Field Training Officer, and one year later he was promoted to supervisor. As a supervisor he supervised probation, parole, sex offender, and intake teams. During this time Irv took advantage of the Department’s educational reimbursement program and graduated from UVU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. In 2017, Irv was promoted to Assistant Regional Administrator in Region III and served as the Director of the Orange Street Community Correctional Center and later worked in the main Fremont office of Region III supervising the parole and support staff teams....

16 Feb

Posted at 10:20h in Latest News, News Archives, Uncategorized
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On March 1, 2023, the Utah State Correctional Facility will change the length of in-person visiting from one (1) hour to two (2) hours. Though there will be fewer visiting sessions, the additional visiting length will allow more visiting hours during the day. More visiting spots per session may be opened as needed due to demand. All offenders will still receive the same number of visits per their privilege level attached below: ANTELOPE LEVELS: a – 1 barrier visit every 60 days b – 1 barrier visit per month c – 2 barrier visits per month d – 2 barrier visits per month e – 3 barrier visits per month f – 3 barrier visits per month GENERAL POPULATION LEVELS: g – 2 visits per month (1 In person and 1 video visit) h – 3 visits per month (1 In person and 2 video visits) i – 4 visits per month (2 In person and 2 video visits) j – 5 visits per month (2 In person and 3 video visits) k – 8 visits per month (4 In person and 4 video visits) l – 12 visits per month (6 In person and 6 video visits) As we open new visiting opportunities, please remember the following rules: – All kisses and hugs must be brief. Any prolonged kisses, open mouth kisses and hugs will result in suspensions from visiting. – All visitors will be required to remove their shoes during the screening process. Visitors who refuse will be turned away....

13 Feb

Posted at 13:55h in Invest in Staff, Latest News, News Archives, Strategic Plan
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Please join us in welcoming Armanda Mercado as the new Deputy Director of Utah Correctional Industries (UCI). Mercado began her career with Corrections in 2009 as an intern with the Sex Offender and Kidnap Registry office, assisting with registrations and the public database. She transferred to UCI in 2014 as an internal auditor and later promoted to Operations Manager, Correctional Administrator II, and Audit Manager. She also served as UDC’s PPE Quartermaster during the COVID-19 outbreak. Mercado graduated from the University of Utah with Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Social Work. She later completed a Master’s Degree in Criminal Science and an emphasis in Corrections from Weber State University. She is a licensed interpreter and lead prison auditor for the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance. The deputy director position opened when Shane Welch was appointed UCI Director, after former director Maria Shirey became an Assistant Deputy Executive Director for UDC....