The Utah State Prison System

The Utah prison system consists of two major detention facilities under the management of the Utah Department of Corrections. These facilities can cater to approximately 5,600 male and female inmates, and the infrastructure sits at suitable sites in the city. The Utah Department of Corrections is also responsible for rehabilitating and reintegrating inmates into society, but this is only achievable because there are other divisions. The Division of Prison Operations oversees inmates’ activities in the two primary correctional facilities and contracts county jail facilities for detention if needed. Also, adult probation and parole are the responsibility of the Probation and Parole Division since the unit controls the preparation of reports on inmates for courts and the state’s board of pardon and parole through law enforcement officers. Other divisions, such as the programming, administrative, training, and correction unit, play significant roles in the Utah penal system, following Utah Code Title 64, Chapter 13.

What Is The Difference Between Jail and Prison in Utah?

Unlike most states, jails and prisons have different functions in Utah. In jail, the infrastructure and provisions for security and upkeep made by the state are only to detain offenders for a short period. Incarceration in jail could mean that an offense is being scrutinized, and the offender is to be reprimanded until proven guilty or otherwise. Sheriffs typically manage most jails in Utah that are operated by counties.

By contrast, prisons play a different role in the incarceration process of convicted criminals. In Utah, the prison authority tries to rehabilitate and educate inmates before reintegration into society. In Utah, prisons are operated by the state, unlike jails, and possess more extensive infrastructure for detention with maximum security and basic amenities like food, clothing, and health care.

How Many Prisons are in Utah?

The prison system in Utah consists of only two prison complexes, as the state did away with private prisons in 2010. Below are the addresses, contact number, and inmate capacity of prisons in Utah:

Utah State Prison
Capacity: Approximately 4,300 inmates
Address: 14425 bitterbrush Ln S,
Draper, UT 84020
(801) 576 7684

Central Utah Correctional Facility
Capacity: Approximately 1,600 inmates
Address: 255 E. 300 North
Gunnison, UT 84634
(435) 528 6000

How do I search for an Inmate in Utah State Prison?

Individuals who are interested in looking up inmates currently in detention can visit the facilities in person. Requesters may also search for inmates by making inquiries at the public information unit of the Utah department of corrections by completing the request form. The unit keeps records about the location of detention and other inmate details.

Alternatively, interested persons can utilize the Offender Search Tool by putting in the inmate’s first name, middle name, and last name. On the Offender Search, the requestor can also search by providing the unique offender number assigned to the inmate. It is important to note that the state of Utah does not provide information for released inmates.

Are Incarceration Records Public in Utah?

Incarceration records are documents that show information regarding an individual’s criminal history and the court’s verdict after trial. The records may also hold information regarding inmates’ details and are often managed by the courts and the correctional facility. The Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) generally ensures that the public can access all government records at all levels except for documents that may incite violence, health records, private information about government employees, and trade secrets.

There are no limitations to accessing incarceration records. The provisions of the Government Record Access and Management Act stipulate that all inquiries be responded to on or before ten business days.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often simplify the search process by aggregating information from various jurisdictions and providing it to record seekers via a single database. Users are generally required to provide the following information to facilitate a search:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state where the person resides or was accused.

Third-party sites operate independently from government sources and are not sponsored by these agencies. Therefore, the accuracy and validity of the information they provide may not be guaranteed.

How to Look Up Jail Records in Utah?

Looking up jail history, arrest records, and criminal history in Utah requires a slightly different procedure. For arrest records, parties can make inquiries by visiting the county or police department where the arrest took place. Although the arrest records do not necessarily portray the offender as a criminal, police personnel will capture necessary information to serve as proof of questioning upon every arrest.

Criminal history documents are available at the Bureau of Criminal Identification through the Department of Public Safety. Interested persons may obtain criminal history records in person and by mail. Records requests attract a $15 fee, and requestors are also required to come with a government-issued ID. Utah does not accept Driving Privilege Cards. Mail requests involve completing the Criminal History Record Application and sending it to:

Bureau of Criminal Identification
3888 West 5400 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84129
Phone: (801) 965–4445
Fax: (801) 965–4749

Can Jail Records be Expunged in Utah?

Yes, it is possible to expunge jail records in Utah. According to Title 77, Chapter 40 of the Utah Expungement Act, interested individuals may visit the Bureau of Criminal Identification to obtain a certificate of eligibility before filing a petition for expungement. However, eligibility will be judged by the individual’s entire criminal history. Once eligibility is granted, individuals may proceed to fill out the expungement application form and pay $135. Upon getting an expungement order signed by the court, convicts are required to serve a copy to the following agencies:

• The bureau of criminal identification.
• The agency responsible for the arrest.
• The agency responsible for the booking.
• The prosecuting agency.