Utah Prisoner Advocate Network

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

Gov. Spencer Cox has appointed two new justices to serve on the newly expanded Utah Supreme Court.

Story in link below...

06/02/2026

Who Cares? They’re Prisoners.

The other day somebody said something to me that I’ve heard a hundred times.

“Who cares? They’re prisoners.”

And honestly, if you’ve never had a loved one incarcerated, I understand why that’s the reaction.

But here’s the problem.

More than 90% of the people currently sitting in Utah prisons are coming home.

Not someday.

Not maybe.

They’re coming home.

They’re moving into neighborhoods.

They’re getting jobs.

They’re raising kids.

They’re sitting next to people in church.

They’re becoming part of communities again.

So whether you care about prisoners or not, you should care about what happens to them while they’re in prison.

Because whatever is happening inside those walls eventually walks right back out the front gate.

Over the last year, I’ve spent hundreds of hours reading letters, grievances, emails, public records, and reports from incarcerated people, family members, volunteers, and treatment providers.

And what strikes me isn’t any one story.

It’s how often the stories sound the same.

One person reports being told they need a program before parole, but can’t get into the program.

Another reports a medication interruption.

Another reports losing access to mental health treatment after a transfer.

Another reports waiting weeks for medical attention.

Another reports being locked down for days with limited movement.

A single complaint doesn’t prove anything.

But when the same complaints keep showing up from people who don’t know each other, at some point you have to stop asking whether the people are connected and start asking whether the problem is.

That’s why prison reform matters.

Not because prison should be comfortable.

Not because people shouldn’t be held accountable.

Because taxpayers are spending millions of dollars to produce an outcome.

The outcome is supposed to be safer communities.

If people are leaving prison more unstable, less healthy, less educated, and less prepared for life than when they entered, then we’re not getting the outcome we’re paying for.

06/01/2026

FYI. Sharing what the Utah State Bar explains about sentencing and a link to sentencing guide guidelines.

Who decides how sentences are set in Utah? It’s a shared process designed to promote fairness and consistency:

• The Legislature writes the laws and sentencing ranges.

• The Utah Sentencing Commission develops sentencing guidelines.

• Judges apply the law and guidelines to the facts of each case.

This system of checks and balances helps ensure informed, fair, and transparent sentencing decisions.

Want to learn more? Utah’s sentencing guidelines are public and available online, giving everyone access to the same resources used to inform sentencing decisions. Go to https://justice.utah.gov/divisions-and-offices/sentencing/2026-sentencing-guidelines/

05/29/2026

UPDATE: CUCF dates have now been added.

Utah Department of Corrections has announced special weekend property pickup opportunities for both Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) and Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF).

This may be helpful for families and authorized individuals who are unable to visit during regular weekday hours.

Please note: all pickups require a pre-scheduled, ten-minute appointment. Pickups will not be permitted without an appointment.

Families should also be aware that, following the transition to the Tiered Housing Model, UDC is expected to strictly enforce compliance with property policies. If your incarcerated loved one needs property picked up, please review the dates, times, locations, and phone numbers carefully in the graphic.

More information from UDC:
https://corrections.utah.gov/uscf-to-offer-special-weekend-property-pickups/

05/29/2026

The Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) Property unit is offering an opportunity for weekend property pickups. This is ideal for those unable to visit during normal weekday hours.

Available Dates & Times:
June 6-7, 2026: 8 am to 5 pm
July 11-12, 2026: 8 am to 5 pm
How to Schedule an Appointment

All pickups require a pre-scheduled, ten-minute appointment. Pickups will not be permitted without one.

To schedule, call 801-522-7771 or 801-522-7772.
- Provide your information or the name of the person authorized for pickup.
- Bring a valid driver's license or state ID to the appointment.
- If you need to reschedule or will be arriving late, please call 801-522-7929.

Please visit our website for more information: https://corrections.utah.gov/

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

A Utah public registry aimed at helping consumers and businesses identify people convicted of certain white-collar crimes is drawing attention from victims who

05/28/2026

In this Stillwater Award-winning story, Kelsey wrote about the monumental struggle of what it is like to have your period in prison.

“Here, I have rarely observed staff show empathy or provide accommodations to women having fatigue, cramps, mood swings or pain connected to their period. We are not allowed to take days off from work to rest, and we must adhere to a strict daily schedule in which virtually all of our movement is controlled.”

Collages by Sarah Rogers.