Utah Department of Corrections

The money is aimed at improving access to mental health and substance abuse care in more remote parts of the state.

The Utah Department of Corrections brought in help from other state agencies to address medical issues at the new Salt Lake City facility.

“In the last six weeks, and four of those weeks have been in the new prison, the Utah Prisoner Advocate Network has received 73 emails related to significant medical concern,” said the advocacy group's director and cofounder.

Inmates have access to a growing list of college-level classes, but not all provide college credit and none currently lead to a bachelor’s degree. That could soon change.

Lawmakers moved quickly this year to pass a bill that lowers the minimum age for correctional officers. The minimum age for police officers is still 21.

A report on the Utah state prison system found that inmates are receiving inadequate or inappropriate medical care. Auditors both urged the Department of Corrections to address these issues.

It’s been an exceptionally hot summer in Utah, and the record-breaking temperatures have some families worried about their loved ones incarcerated at state-run correctional facilities.

The latest Utah news from Thursday evening, April 29, 2021.

The Utah Department of Corrections has offered a COVID-19 vaccine to every inmate at its Gunnison and Draper facilities, except for new arrivals. Meanwhile, the ACLU of Utah wants local health departments to increase access to people incarcerated at county jails.

The Utah Department of Corrections recently made video visitation available to everyone incarcerated at the state prison. In-person visits have been canceled since the start of the pandemic.

Utah is one of only two states that has not signed on to a federal set of prison standards to prevent and respond to sexual assault and harassment in correctional facilities. State Rep. Angela Romero plans to introduce a bill in the upcoming legislative session to change that.

Jeromy Tait was released early from the Utah State Prison because of the coronavirus pandemic. He described his experience during COVID-19 outbreaks there.