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Utah Prisoner Advocate Network

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UDC PRESS RELEASE |

UDC PRESS RELEASE | First in the Nation: Utah Launches ARCH Project to Address Homelessness and Recidivism: State and Corrections Officials Ribbon-Cut Facility Transformation at Orange Street Community Correctional Center

SALT LAKE CITY — The State of Utah and the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) announce the official launch for the ARCH Project, a pioneering initiative designed to break the cycle of homelessness, substance abuse, and criminal justice involvement through targeted intervention and compassionate care. Originally established through HB 110 (Offender Modifications) during the 2026 Utah Legislative Session, the program represents a major systemic shift in how the state supports high-utilizer individuals.

ARCH will introduce systemic changes to how justice-involved individuals are managed. Program leaders will work in close coordination with the court system to allow qualifying individuals to have participation in the ARCH program designated as a formal condition of their sentences.

To formally launch the initiative, UDC Commissioner Jared Garcia joined legislative leaders and key stakeholders from Utah’s justice and social service systems for a ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating the Orange Street Correctional Center facility.

ARCH signifies the program's four core focus areas:

Assessment and Accountability
Reentry and Response
Coordination and Compassion for
High Utilizers

Description
The ARCH Project specifically focuses on ‘high-utilizer’ individuals who repeatedly cycle through jail, emergency rooms, homeless shelters, and the streets without finding long-term stability. Three individuals are currently enrolled in the program and will be transferred to Orange Street as soon as possible.

Qualified individuals are those who have been arrested and have repeated misdemeanor convictions. They are evaluated for eligibility at the jail by stakeholders and the court. After a hearing, a judge may assign the individual to ARCH as court-ordered probation.
By pairing structured oversight with wrap-around support services, ARCH prioritizes behavior modification, personal development, and ongoing support to keep participants off the streets and out of the justice system.

““The ARCH Project is a bold, and vital step forward for the Utah Department of Corrections," Commissioner Jared Garcia said. "When we approach these individuals with compassionate support and real accountability, we will empower people to build better lives and achieve the best outcomes.”

“The ARCH Program is about second chances for Utahns caught in a vicious cycle of addiction, jail, emergency rooms and street homelessness,” said Tyler Clancy, State Homeless Coordinator. “Partnerships like this give individuals space to heal and relieve both the system and the community from cycles of destructive behavior.”

Funding and Program Capacity
To support the project, the Utah Legislature allocated $2.6 million in one-time funding—utilized for renovations to UDC's Correctional Centers—and $6 million in ongoing funding for staffing and operational continuity into the future.

Cost and Capacity

One-Time Legislative Funding (2026)
$2.6 Million (Facility Renovations)
Ongoing Annual Funding
$6 Million (Staffing & Operations)
Identified Candidate Pool (as of 10/1/26)
Approximately 1,300 Individuals
Initial Launch Capacity
180 Individuals

While approximately 1,300 people have been identified as potential candidates for the ARCH program, the initial capacity will be set at approximately 180 individuals. This controlled scale ensures that participants receive adequate support, supervision, and guidance in the community.

UDC expresses sincere gratitude to our community partners, whose work and collaboration are essential: Governor Spencer Cox, the Office of Homeless Services, the Division of Workforce Services, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Salt Lake City Police Department, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, the Utah Legal Defenders Association, the Utah Courts and judicial partners, Defy Ventures, The Other Side Academy, The Other Side Foundation, The Other Side Village, Valley Behavioral Health, Shelter the Homeless, The Road Home, Housing Connect, Utah Volunteers of America, Fourth Street Clinic, First Step House, Odyssey House, Utah State Hospital, Salt Lake County Behavioral Health, and the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.

Detailed information is attached.

Contact: Richard Piatt, Director of Public Affairs: [email protected]; 801-462-3663. ...

2 hours ago
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UPAN SEEKING ANSWERS

UPAN SEEKING ANSWERS ON COMMISSARY IN BOTH PRISONS.

UPAN tried to collect data on which housing units have been receiving commissary when most report not receiving commissary for two weeks. Not sure what will happen this week or if people were able to order in the lower Tiers. It appears that commissary has been withheld for residents of Tier 1 and Tier 2 in both prisons. Here is what we sent to UDC Commissioners on October 5 with a request for answers about the rationale for withholding commissary from entire housing units who had nothing to do with the attack on the officer or how receiving commissary could interfere with the ongoing investigations.

Commissary Status by Housing Unit
Sep 24, 2026 Lockdown — October 5, 2026

Shared with UDC with the unit/facility level only. No names, UDC numbers, or other identifying details appear in this report or were requested from families.

1. UDC's statement, for reference
UDC has stated since Sep 29 that "commissary orders are being delivered," that timeframes and delivery methods may vary, and that specific timelines cannot be shared for safety reasons while the Tier 1/2 lockdown and related investigation continue. UPAN is not disputing that statement — the reports below are offered so UDC can compare what is being reported at the housing-unit level against what is being reported up through the facilities to top administration and commissioners.

2. What incarcerated within different housing units in both prisons are reporting: The pattern below repeats across units at both facilities: an order is placed, money is deducted, and the order is later refunded instead of delivered — in several cases across two consecutive ordering cycles.

USCF Bear 1–4,
Charged on a Sunday, refunded the next day; pattern reported across two ordering cycles.

Four separate individuals confirmed that Bear 3 had not received commissary.

Two individuals confirmed that Bear 4 SOLID had not received commissary, and one of them mentioned that they were notified on their tablets that commissary was canceled.

Some UPAN directors have heard from their incarcerated loved ones that there has been no commissary delivered during the 12 days of lockdown to date (October 5)

USCF Bear 3
One family's account in detail: the Sep 21 order was processed before lockdown and handed out a few days late (Saturday). The following Monday, money was deducted later than usual but was taken. That Wednesday, a commissary (food/hygiene) order was delivered to the unit, then sent back by staff and refunded; a separate quarterly gift pack order was delivered that same day.

Other generalized reports given through messages by families

CUCF STRIVE, Hope
Reportedly received orders, in at least one case a day late. But these are higher privilege level Tier 3 housing.

USCF SOLID Bear 4
Residents reportedly were informed that commissary was cancelled as of this weekend. Oct 3 Reported USCF Unit not specified Fall/quarterly care package reportedly arrived around Sep 28 but had not been distributed as of Oct 5.

CUCF Birch in Henry
Birch - One family's account: orders placed Sep 21 (for Sep 24 delivery) and again Sep 28 (for Oct 1 delivery) were both not delivered; money was refunded both times. A notice reportedly posted on unit tablets stated commissary orders would not be possible this week. The unit has no tablets or catalog to place new orders.

Another family confirmed that Birch CUCF in Henry had not received commissary orders, and one of them mentioned that they did not have tablets to order commissary on.

CUCF Ironwood
One family's account: order delayed about three days, received Friday. Tablets have reportedly been removed from the unit — tablets are how commissary is normally ordered (weekly, Sundays) — so residents cannot place new orders without them. If trying to place on the phone, they need a catalog with item numbers to do so.

CUCF Aspen - section 1
One commented that indigent supplies were not delivered. Regular commissary same as USCF pattern: charged then refunded, two ordering cycles running.

CUCF Fir
Reportedly did not receive commissary, in contrast with Ironwood, which did.

CUCF Hickory
Hickory in CUCF did not receive commissary. No indigent inmates received basic hygiene supplies .

3. Indigent supplies
Separate from commissary that is ordered by the inmate, UPAN has received multiple reports that indigent supplies (soap, toothpaste, envelopes) have not been provided for about two weeks, across both facilities for indigent inmates. This was flagged to Anne Lachmar and Aubrie Anderson on Oct 5 and is included here for completeness.

4. Quarterly gift packages ordered by families
Fall/quarterly gift packages reportedly reached at least one facility around Sep 28 but had not been distributed as of Oct 5. One CUCF family reported their resident received his package just before the lockdown began; others, including at USCF Bear 3, reported still waiting. Very difficult to determine which individual housing units and sections in which prison are receiving their quarterly packages. This is also a separate concern from weekly commissary, and is included for completeness. ...

3 hours ago
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Grand Re-Opening of Orange Street Community Correctional Center ...

6 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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