NCJ Number
58860
Date Published
1978
Length
26 pages
Annotation
THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM OF THE STATE OF UTAH IS PRESENTED IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, INCLUDING THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE TODAY, THEIR EFFECTIVENESS, AND THE ORIGINS OF THE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 7,320 ADULT OFFENDERS, INCLUDES THE ADULT PROBATION AND PAROLE DIVISION, THE UTAH STATE PRISON, COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS CENTERS, AND THE BOARD OF PARDONS. IN THE TERRITORY SINCE 1855 IS THE UTAH PENITENTIARY, LOCATED SOUTHEAST OF SALT LAKE CITY IN AN AREA CALLED SUGAR HOUSE. FEDERAL LEGISLATION OF 1871 PLACED THE PRISON UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE U.S. MARSHAL; IN 1896 THE PENITENTIARY BUILDINGS AND LANDS WERE GIVEN TO THE NEW STATE, AND THE FACILITY DESIGNATED THE UTAH STATE PRISON. IN THE EARLY DAYS, CORRECTIONS IN UTAH REPRESENTED A MIXTURE OF EASTERN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE COMBINED WITH A THEOLOGICAL ORIENTATION OF THE PREDOMINATELY MORMAN POPULATION. JUDGMENTS OFTEN INCLUDED RESTITUTION OR FLOGGING. IN THE EARLY 1960'S; COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS SUCH AS HALFWAY HOUSES GAINED IN POPULARITY; AND NOW EXIST IN SALT LAKE CITY AND OGDEN. IN GENERAL, THE RESPONSE TO OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS DEVELOPING WITHIN THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM IN UTAH HAS BEEN DISAPPOINTING. THE ORIGINAL UTAH PENITENTIARY WAS POORLY CONSTRUCTED AND IT TOOK THE GOVERNMENT 30 YEARS TO RECTIFY THE CONDITIONS, AND IT WAS ALMOST 20 YEARS AFTER THE SERIOUS OVERCROWDING OF 1932 BEFORE INMATES WERE MOVED. PROVIDING MEANINGFUL EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE USED BY INMATES IS A CONTINUING DIFFICULTY OF THE PRISON ADMINISTRATION. ADULT PROBATION AND PAROLE HAS OPERATED WITH EXCESSIVE CASELOADS SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1937. INMATE HOUSING AND ADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF PAROLEES ARE THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS FACING UTAH CORRECTIONS IN 1978. FOOTNOTES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED --LWM)