Advocates for Criminal Justice Reform in Utah
The Utah Prisoner Advocate Network is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and all-volunteer grassroots community outreach organization that aims to simplify the incarceration process for the inmates’ supporters—while also advocating for better conditions inside Utah jails and prisons. We do this primarily through monthly support meetings, an open dialogue with the Utah Department of Corrections, legislative advocacy, guest speakers, coalition forming, and a shared network of useful resources.
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Latest News
Tuesday January 19th, 2021 - 9:42 pm
Department of Corrections responds to inmate's lawsuit on handling of COVID-19 in prison ... See MoreSee Less

Department of Corrections responds to inmate's lawsuit on handling of COVID-19 in prison
kutv.com
The Utah Department of Corrections is responding to a lawsuit filed by a current inmate alleging the department and its former executive director, Mike Haddon, have not done enough to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the prison. Caption: KUTV: Ginna Roe reports Damon Crist filed the lawsuit on Dec. 19...- Likes: 0
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Tuesday January 19th, 2021 - 12:48 pm
52 law enforcement and criminal justice bills filed for upcoming legislative session ... See MoreSee Less

52 law enforcement and criminal justice bills filed for upcoming legislative session
kutv.com
A good portion of the upcoming legislative session could be centered around law enforcement and criminal justice reform. Caption: KUTV: Jim Spiewak reports With a little over a week until the start of the session, lawmakers have already filed 52 law enforcement- and reform-related bills. Carly Halde...Tuesday January 19th, 2021 - 12:43 pm
This bill, H.B. 154, packs a lot of police reform into one piece of legislation.
Read the bill here: le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/HB0154.html ... See MoreSee Less
Monday January 18th, 2021 - 6:24 pm
Utah’s legislative session starts Tuesday, January 19. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming session, from tracking bills to providing public comment. ... See MoreSee Less

How to participate in the Utah legislative session
trib.al
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming session, from tracking bills to providing public comment.Monday January 18th, 2021 - 6:23 pm
How to participate in the Utah legislature (when everything is weird) ... See MoreSee Less

How to participate in the Utah legislature (when everything is weird)
www.fox13now.com
This year's Utah State Legislature is going to be weird.Monday January 18th, 2021 - 6:13 pm
Reginald Dwayne Betts was 16-years old when he was convicted of carjacking. After serving over eight years in prison, he strived hard to improve himself, landed a job, attended college, graduated from Yale Law School, and ultimately became a lawyer. ... See MoreSee Less

Meet the Ex-Felon Who Graduated From Yale and is Now a Lawyer
www.blacknews.com
Reginald Dwayne Betts was 16-years old when he was convicted of carjacking. After serving over eight years in prison, he strived hard to improve himself, landed a job, attended college, graduated fromMonday January 18th, 2021 - 5:49 pm
The words society uses often reduce humans to the crimes they commit. But that’s changing. Person-first language recognizes that dehumanizing descriptions can influence public perceptions and self-conception. ... See MoreSee Less

www.poynter.org
Person-first language recognizes that dehumanizing descriptions can influence public perceptions and self-conception.Monday January 18th, 2021 - 4:12 pm
How an ex-U.S. attorney for Utah’s push for Trump pardons fits his about-face on criminal justice. Brett Tolman went from being a tough prosecutor to championing defendant rights, same-sex marriage and help for female victims of violent crimes. ... See MoreSee Less

How an ex-U.S. attorney for Utah’s push for Trump pardons fits his about-face on criminal justice
www.sltrib.com
Former U.S. attorney for Utah, who has a history as a reformer, is being paid to help his clients get pardons from Trump.Monday January 18th, 2021 - 4:05 pm
Utahns can expect tax cuts of up to $80 million, police reform, efforts to help kids impacted by a chaotic, COVID-19-marred school year and more from Utah lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session. ... See MoreSee Less

Utah lawmakers: Tax cuts, police reform, affordable housing on table this session
buff.ly
SALT LAKE CITY — Look for tax cuts of up to $80 million, police reform, efforts to help kids impacted by a chaotic, COVID-19-marred school year and more from UtahMonday January 18th, 2021 - 4:03 pm
Man Who Sat on Death Row Is Cleared After Bite-Mark Evidence Is Doubted. Eddie Lee Howard of Mississippi spent more than two decades in prison, but the evidence used to convict him in a 1992 killing is no longer considered reliable. ... See MoreSee Less

Man Who Sat on Death Row Is Cleared After Bite-Mark Evidence Is Doubted
www.nytimes.com
Eddie Lee Howard of Mississippi spent more than two decades in prison, but the evidence used to convict him in a 1992 killing is no longer considered reliable.Monday January 18th, 2021 - 3:16 pm
In first for Utah, a police chief is tapped to lead state office on criminal justice. Gov. Spencer Cox picks former Bountiful police chief to replace Kim Cordova in move advocate calls ‘tone deaf’ ... See MoreSee Less

In first for Utah, a police chief is tapped to lead state office on criminal justice
www.deseret.com
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has selected a police chief and non-attorney to oversee criminal justice initiatives in the state, a first in the nearly 40-year history of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. Former Bountiful Police Chief Tom Ross replaces Kim Cordova in move advocate calls ‘ton...Monday January 18th, 2021 - 2:51 pm
FOX 13 News 360: The ballooning cost of new Utah State Prison site ... See MoreSee Less

FOX 13 News 360: The ballooning cost of new Utah State Prison site
www.fox13now.com
By the time it’s finished, Utah’s newest state prison will have cost taxpayers close to a billion dollars.Sunday January 17th, 2021 - 4:43 pm
Utah gang law being debated in court, statehouse as protesters face beefed-up charges. Legislative proposal would limit use of increased penalties. ... See MoreSee Less

Utah gang law being debated in court, statehouse as protesters face beefed-up charges
www.deseret.com
A defense attorney says prosecutors improperly used gang enhancements to ratchet up charges for those accused of flipping a police car at a Salt Lake City protest in May. With demonstrations in mind, a Utah legislator is seeking to change the law.