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Utah Prisoner Advocate Network

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


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The Other Side Village, a community of "tiny homes" aimed at combatting homelessness, is teaming up with a Utah builder to install compact, factory-built homes to get people secure housing faster.

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📣📢🔔IMPORTANT UPDATE📣📢🔔
Understanding the New UDC "Moving the Middle" Housing Strategy

Attention families, loved ones, and community members. The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) recently presented a new housing strategy called "Moving the Middle." As advocates, we want to ensure everyone has a clear understanding of these changes and a chance to provide feedback that we will take directly to UDC leadership in March.
A New Approach to Leadership and Accountability
The current executive team at UDC is relatively new, with most members joining since 2023. They are currently working on a major transition from the old "O-Track" system to a modern, cloud-based data platform.
This new system is designed to provide better oversight for everyone. One key feature is the ability to monitor correctional staff more effectively. The system can flag "clusters" of write-ups—for example, if a specific officer is issuing a significantly higher number of disciplinary reports than others, leadership will be alerted to investigate potential issues or bad behavior by that staff member.
The Three-Tiered Housing Plan
The goal of this strategy is to stop housing people solely based on their original crime and start housing them based on their daily behavior. By separating different groups, the facility becomes safer for those trying to change.
• Tier 1: Disruptors – This tier is for individuals engaging in predatory or manipulative behavior. It focuses on firm boundaries to ensure they cannot prey on others.
• Tier 2: The Middle (The Persuadable Majority) – This is where the majority of residents are. The goal is to provide enough support and structure so they aren't influenced by negative behaviors. Positive choices in this tier lead to better amenities, such as more comfortable seating.
• Tier 3: Positive Influencers – This tier is a therapeutic-style environment for those showing consistent growth. These individuals earn the most privileges, including normalized furniture, and are expected to act as peer leaders.
The FD20 Reward System
The "FD20" system is the engine that drives this change. It is a standardized incentive program that makes expectations clear: following programs and staying ticket-free allows a resident to move up the "ladder" to earn more visits and a better living environment.
We Want Your Feedback
The ultimate goal of this shift is to reduce violence by housing similarly behaving people together and to empower the majority of residents to prepare for a successful return to society.
Advocates are committed to taking your thoughts, concerns, and questions directly to the UDC executive team during our next stakeholder meeting in March. Please take the time to review these materials and let us know your feedback.
Please share this information with your loved ones inside so they understand the new levels and how they can work toward higher privilege tiers. #Utah #prisonreform #advocacy #reentrymatters

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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.

Donate | Federal EIN Number: 90-1021189

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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P.O. Box 464
Draper, UT 84020

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