Name: UPAN Monthly Meeting | Topic: David Leavitt CJ Reform: Diversion Program
Start: 2019-09-09T18:30:00-06:00
End: 2019-09-09T20:30:00-06:00
Location: Kafeneio Coffee House

Who We Are / What We Do

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.

UPAN is also a proud coalition member of People Not Prisons, a group of advocacy organizations 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. UPAN is the 2014 Recipient of the ACLU of Utah Torch of Freedom Award for raising awareness about criminal justice reform.

Our Mission Our Organizers Media Inquiries

Aug 12

UPAN Monthly Meeting | Topic: Prison Hospice

August 12 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Free

Kafeneio Coffee House

258 West 3300 South

Salt Lake City UT 84115

801-485-1282

Organizer: Shauna Denos

Sep 09

UPAN Monthly Meeting | Topic: David Leavitt CJ Reform: Diversion Program

September 9 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Free

Kafeneio Coffee House

258 West 3300 South

Salt Lake City UT 84115

801-485-1282

Organizer: Shauna Denos

2018 Holiday Card Contest Winners

October 8, 2018 By Molly Prince

Congratulations to our 2018 Holiday Card Contest winners! Please consider downloading the PDF (by clicking on the image) to print out and send to your friends, loved ones, and those who are spending … Continue Reading

A new Clinical Power of Attorney form promises to give inmates more control over when and how medical information can be shared with their families

September 15, 2017 By Mike McAinsh

For years, families have looked on from afar in frustration as their incarcerated loved one suffered due to poor clinical practices. If they called the prison to find answers, they were met with an … Continue Reading

Utah Office of the Legislative Auditor General Completes the Audit of the Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP)

April 3, 2017 By Molly Prince

by Mike McAinsh and Molly Prince SOTP Audit Finds Utah Department of Correction's Program Was Poorly Managed With Weak Oversight The Legislative Audit of Utah State Prison’s Sex Offender … Continue Reading

Meet Maria Peterson: UDC’s New Public Information Officer

November 20, 2016 By Molly Prince

UDC Gets a New Public Information Officer Maria Peterson became the new Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Utah Department of Corrections in October. I had the privilege of meeting her during … Continue Reading

Authorization to Verbally Discuss Health Information

October 17, 2016 By Molly Prince

UPAN is please to announce that the Utah Department of Corrections has finished their process of developing the new "Authorization To Verbally Discuss Health Information" for inmates to use when they … Continue Reading

A Message from UPAN President Molly Prince – February 2016

February 2, 2016 By Molly Prince

Things Are a Bit Busy in the Area of Criminal Justice in Utah this Legislative Session There are several bills that relate to several areas of criminal justice in Utah. While most of these are … Continue Reading

Priorities for Utah’s New Correctional Facility

November 16, 2015 By Anna Brower

People Not Prisons: Physical & Programmatic Priorities for Utah’s New Correctional Facility The People Not Prisons Coalition is a loose coalition of advocacy groups working on behalf of people … Continue Reading

Guidelines for Mailing Holiday Cards and Letters

November 16, 2015 By Molly Prince

In preparation for the upcoming holiday season and the UPAN Holiday Card Program, I called the Mail Room in Draper to learn about any new mailing rules or recommendations the prison has to expedite … Continue Reading

Scam Alert – Possible Mail Fraud

October 26, 2015 By UPAN

Possible Scam Alert It has come to our attention that an individual(s) has sent a letter to at least one inmate and possibly others on UPAN letterhead soliciting for donations. We’re investigating … Continue Reading

More Than 100 Police Chiefs And Prosecutors (LELRCI) Unite To Cut Prison Population

October 21, 2015 By UPAN

Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration (LELRCI) A new coalition of the nation's top prosecutors and police chiefs are joining the effort to reform mass incarceration practices. The … Continue Reading

Peace Officer – Documentary on Police Militarization in Utah

September 24, 2015 By UPAN

"Peace Officer" is a new documentary film about the militarization of police in Utah that will make it's debut at the Tower Theater on Friday, September 25th. Representatives from the ACLU of Utah … Continue Reading

Legislative Audit of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole is Underway

September 14, 2015 By Molly Prince

UPAN Families Can Help Gather Information The Legislative Audit Subcommittee has been assigned the task of performing an audit of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. We have no idea when the Board … Continue Reading

Lawmakers Vote to Relocate Utah State Prison to Salt Lake City

August 20, 2015 By UPAN

In a Special Session on Wednesday, August 19th the both houses of the Utah State Legislature voted to approve HCR101 Concurrent Resolution Approving Site for New State Correctional Facilities to move … Continue Reading

Hunger Strike at Utah State Prison

August 4, 2015 By UPAN

There's been a media frenzy over the past few days about a current hunger strike happening at the Utah State Prison. UPAN organizers have been hard at work fielding questions and interviews with … Continue Reading

HB 348 Clarification and Time Cut Correction

July 29, 2015 By Molly Prince

HB348 Clarification and Correction of Information in July Newsletter Regarding When the Time Cuts Go into Effect and Who is Eligible Greg Johnson, administrator with the Board of Pardons and Parole … Continue Reading

Posted Thursday July 18th, 2019 - 10:19 pm

Utah Department of Corrections

New prison mail restrictions

Additional restrictions for mail sent to inmates will go into effect beginning Aug. 1.
Only single layer white envelopes and single layer white paper or stationary will be allowed. Ruled white paper or stationary (writing paper printed with lines as a guide for handwriting) will also be allowed.
The following types of envelopes, paper or stationary, and cards will be prohibited and shall be refused or denied and returned to sender:

Color envelopes (including manila and multi-layer envelopes)

Color paper or stationary

Greeting cards, card stock or other multi-layered paper or stationary

In addition, mail with paint, chalk, crayons, markers or highlighters used on the incoming envelope or its contents will be denied.
Starting Aug. 1, the mail unit will make photocopies of mail that violates the new additional restrictions. The photocopies will be sent to inmates and the originals will be returned to sender with a notification explaining the new restrictions. Mail that already violates current policy will not be copied or sent to inmates but will be refused or denied consistent with current policy and practices.
Starting Sept. 1, the mail unit will refuse or deny and return to sender any mail items that violate the new additional restrictions for mail sent to inmates. No photocopies will be made. ... See MoreSee Less

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If ALL families write the Governor about this and explain the negative impact it has on children and families...as well as the inabiliy to send in holiday or birthday cards which are important and affordable forms of communication with our lived ones maybe he will as the prison to review this restrictive policy that is not going to reduce contraband in any significant manner.

Letters on white paper or white lined notebook or legal paper are still acceptable. But the lose of being able to send heartfelt cards on birthdays and holidays is just sad... they mean so much to our incarcerated loved ones.

So much for the encouraging of keeping in contact with inmates for family's support in their rehabilitation. That makes it hard on the grandparent's, elderly people, the parents, mates, when the inmate is their loved one. It's hard enough on the elders on limited incomes for expensive phone calls, the commissary, etc. Some say, the inmates are at fault, but they are still somebody's son, daughter, grandchild, much loved.😢

I'm so sick of this prison, we can't even mail cards to our loved ones for birthdays or holidays. What more do they want to take from them to make their lives more miserable.

This is very unfortunate but has anyone considered why this was even created? I don't think anyone at UDC is intentionally trying screw offenders and their families over with this. Policy is never created just cause. I don't have a strong opinion either way but I'm hearing one side and I want to know the "why" so I can have a more informed opinion. I've seen some pretty creative people when they want to smuggle contraband into prison. I don't know how I feel about punishing all, for the actions of some but I understand some contraband also can mean less safety to staff, officers and offenders. This id definitely something that should be fully explored before being outraged and making a knee jerk reaction. m.ranker.com/list/things-smuggled-into-prisons/mike-rothschild

USP should just go with Jpay. At least we can send ecards and photos.

Thanks for sharing.

Greeting cards?!?!

Such bullshit. Greeting cards really? Yes they broke the law we pay for human scans why not a better mail system. Oh.....but this is what we will hear......(well that's what happens when you loose your freedom.) What if their child wants to color them a picture or send a card....(that's there fault for not being home.) Continue to write policies and procedures that continue to keep our system BROKE... Where was the votes on this and who were the CLOWNS that left the families opinions out? Oh.....WE HAVE NO SAY BECAUSE OF SECURITY Bla bla bla..........bullshit! As long as its clean mail let it go in!!! Another mark on a broken system that they think will make it safer or more secure. I get things happen in the mail so when it does...dont punish all of us as if all are guilty! go after the root of the problem and the people creating them. It all works well till it goes wrong then it is consequences for all. Just my rant and opinion. And that too is just like bullshit ... August be ready for this...... Mr Utah State GOVENOR, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?....WE THE FAMILIES THINK ITS BULLSHIT.....

Absolutely no drawings from children😥

How do we find out who voted on passing this??

When did they vote on this and who was included?

Does single layer white paper mean we can only send one page letters?

Someone please tell them that it's the cops bringing drugs in, not the us postal service

How pathetic!!!

Always one jackass who ruins things for everyone

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Posted Thursday July 18th, 2019 - 8:55 am

The stink, the mice, the yelling. My time in solitary was the 'most savage moment of my life,’ Rutgers grad recalls. ... See MoreSee Less

The stink, the mice, the yelling. My time in solitary was the 'most savage moment of my life,’ Rutgers grad recalls.

Former inmate thanks Gov. Murphy for signing the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act, which curtails the practice of solitary confinement in New Jersey's prisons.

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Posted Thursday July 18th, 2019 - 8:53 am

Did you catch Cindy Shank, Piper Kerman, and many more brave women testifying for the House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Women in the Criminal Justice System? Watch now and hear what they had to say: ... See MoreSee Less

Women in the Criminal Justice System

A House Judiciary subcommittee holds a hearing examining women and girls in the criminal justice system. Among the witnesses testifying are Piper Kerman, author of 'Orange is the New Black.'

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Posted Thursday July 18th, 2019 - 8:52 am

Climate change has made hurricane season an extremely dangerous time for many who live along the Gulf and the Atlantic — especially for those who are incarcerated. Many prisons are in poor conditions, located in flood plains, and are generally ill-equipped to handle such natural disasters. Here is just a glimpse of what a hurricane is like for someone who’s incarcerated. ... See MoreSee Less

What Happened When a Hurricane Flooded My Prison

A deluge, terror and a miracle.

Posted Wednesday July 17th, 2019 - 9:21 pm

'Orange is the New Black' author to Congress: Reform 'patriarchal' criminal justice system ... See MoreSee Less

'Orange is the New Black' author to Congress: Reform 'patriarchal' criminal justice system

Piper Kerman, the author who inspired the Netflix show "Orange is the New Black," urged lawmakers on Tuesday to pass criminal justice reforms to improve conditions for female inmates.

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Who We Are / What We Do

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UPAN Monthly Meeting | Topic: Prison Hospice

UPAN Monthly Meeting | Topic: David Leavitt CJ Reform: Diversion Program

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2018 Holiday Card Contest Winners

LATEST NEWS

2018 Holiday Card Contest Winners

A new Clinical Power of Attorney form promises to give inmates more control over when and how medical information can be shared with their families

Utah Office of the Legislative Auditor General Completes the Audit of the Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP)

Meet Maria Peterson: UDC’s New Public Information Officer

Authorization to Verbally Discuss Health Information

A Message from UPAN President Molly Prince – February 2016

Priorities for Utah’s New Correctional Facility

Guidelines for Mailing Holiday Cards and Letters

Scam Alert – Possible Mail Fraud

More Than 100 Police Chiefs And Prosecutors (LELRCI) Unite To Cut Prison Population

Peace Officer – Documentary on Police Militarization in Utah

Legislative Audit of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole is Underway

Lawmakers Vote to Relocate Utah State Prison to Salt Lake City

Hunger Strike at Utah State Prison

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