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Utah Prisoner Advocate Network

UPAN | A nonprofit community advocacy group supporting the families of Utah inmates.


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🚨 UDC UPDATE: Cur

🚨 UDC UPDATE: Current Lockdowns, Visitation & Programming at USCF and CUCF

Updated Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 7:11 PM MDT

UPAN has received an updated operational advisory from Armanda Mercado, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC), outlining the latest restrictions at both state correctional facilities.

This information supersedes the earlier operational update shared today and includes clarification from Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Brown.

UTAH STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (USCF)

🔴 MODIFIED LOCKDOWN

Antelope & Emerald

* Visitation: Canceled until further notice.
* Volunteer programs and religious services: Unavailable.

Bear 1 & Bear 2

* Visitation: Canceled until further notice.
* Volunteer programs and religious services: Unavailable.

🟡 LIMITED SERVICES

Bear 3, Bear 4 & Currant

* Visitation: Continuing as scheduled.
* Volunteer programs and religious services: Unavailable.

🟢 NORMAL OPERATIONS

Dell, Green & Fremont

* Visitation: Continuing as scheduled.
* Volunteer programs and religious services: Operating on standard schedules.
* Fremont has returned to normal operations.

CENTRAL UTAH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (CUCF)

🔴 MODIFIED LOCKDOWN

Tiers 1 & 2: Aspen, Birch, Cedar, Hickory & Ironwood

* Visitation: Canceled until further notice.
* Volunteer programs and religious services: Unavailable.

🟢 NORMAL OPERATIONS

Tier 3: Elm, Fir & Gale

* Visitation: Continuing as scheduled.
* Volunteer programs and religious services: Operating on standard schedules.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES

These operational adjustments follow recent security incidents and ongoing safety assessments at both facilities.

Please confirm your loved one’s current housing location and visitation status before traveling. Restrictions may change as conditions develop.

UDC has indicated that additional advisories will be provided as updated information becomes available.

HAVE INFORMATION OR CONCERNS TO SHARE?

We encourage families to continue sharing information they receive from their incarcerated loved ones, including concerns about lockdowns, communication access, visitation, and living conditions.

📧 [email protected]

Your reports help UPAN identify concerns, compile information, and seek clarification directly from UDC. We do not share your identity with corrections without your explicit permission.

We recognize how stressful these ongoing restrictions have been for incarcerated individuals and their families, especially when communication is limited and visits are canceled.

We appreciate Armanda Mercado, Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Brown, and UDC leadership for working to provide more detailed operational information over the weekend.

UPAN will continue sharing updates as reliable information becomes available.

Utah Prisoner Advocate Network (UPAN)

Source: UDC operational advisory from Armanda Mercado, Director of Strategic Initiatives, updated October 17, 2026, at 7:11 PM MDT. ...

21 hours ago
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The Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected six nominees to fill two upcoming vacancies on the Fourth District Court following the retirements of Judge Derek Pullan and Judge Kasey Wright in December 2026.

The nominees are Rebecca Buchert, Patrick Finlinson, Michael Hinckley, Samuel Pead, Richard Roberts and Meagan Rudd.

📝 Public comments are welcome. Written comments must be submitted by noon on October 25, 2026, to [email protected] or by mail to the Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2330.

Following the public comment period, the nominees’ names will be forwarded to Gov. Spencer J. Cox for consideration. Any appointments are subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.

#UtahCourts #UtahJudiciary #JudicialNominations #UtahStateBar ...

22 hours ago
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A Salt Lake City nonprofit that employs people facing barriers to traditional work has furloughed 110 employees as it struggles with a contract reduction and sharply rising insurance costs. ...

22 hours ago
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About UPAN

The Utah Prisoner Advocate Network (UPAN) is dedicated to supporting families and loved ones as they navigate the challenging journey of incarceration. When a friend or family member is incarcerated, it can be an overwhelming experience, as supporters face the complex rules, regulations, and restrictions of life separated by bars. UPAN works to make this transition less complicated and isolating by providing resources and support for families while also advocating for better conditions and fairness within Utah’s correctional facilities. Please visit our About Page to learn more.

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All of our important links are now in one place! https://linktr.ee/utahprisoner

Associations

UPAN is a proud coalition member of People Not Prisons, a group of advocacy groups working on behalf of people with mental health conditions, people recovering from substance use disorders, and men and women caught up in Utah’s criminal justice system.

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The Utah Prisoner Advocate Network (UPAN) is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your contributions are tax-deductible and directly support our mission to create positive change. Information about an UPAN’s tax-exempt status and filings can be found on the IRS website. To make a donation and join our efforts, please visit our Donations page.

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Draper, UT 84020

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