tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81769350936597332982024-03-08T06:11:10.915-08:00UTBOP JusticeUTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-67993462610233819292014-06-22T13:18:00.000-07:002014-06-22T13:21:06.297-07:00OFFENDER FINES <div class="MsoNormal">
<b>OFFENDER FINES BEING PUT INTO GENERAL OPERATIONS BUDGET?????</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What in the world? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At a recent FOCUS Group meeting (April 7, 2014) the question
“When an inmate is issued a fine for an infraction, and money is collected, how
are these funds dispersed and recorded?”, was asked of Gary Sessions (Finance
Director for UDC) and Brian Allgaier (Financial Manager of Inmate Funds
Accounting). Their answer was that the money is recorded and stays at the
institution. Neither one really answered the part about how the funds are
recorded. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They then go on to say that the funds collected are placed
into the general operation fund and used for….now get this! <b><i>UTILITIES, LAUNDRY,
FOOD</i></b>, and different expenses to run the facility. Excuse us but are the
taxpayers’ pockets now being double dipped into????? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These Offenders, if they are lucky enough to score a job
inside the walls, work for about forty cents an hour! Given a 40 hour week,
this is approximately 25.00 a MONTH! And if an Offender is having child support
payments taken what’s left to pay these fines. Who is actually paying these fines? The family
is! We are already paying taxes that should be going into the operational fund
so why are we being penalized once again by the higher uppers at UDC?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Think about a single mom, through no fault of her own is now being penalized. She
did not commit the crime. But now she is left to raise and provide for herself
and her children. Her Offender is hit with a large fine….the rumor is that now
it is sometimes $200! She wants to help and puts money on the books. This is
most likely taken from her household money that SHOULD be used to feed and
provide for those children! WHY does UDC see the need to FINE this kind of
money knowing good and well that this Offender is usually not the one paying
it! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Come on UDC, your budget for the 2013 FY was over 265
MILLION dollars. And this includes $340,000 in FEDERAL FUNDING! Add to what the
Legislature approves is the profit from Utah Correctional Industries of over
$21,000. Then you have $1.5M in surcharges from the prison phone system going
into the pot!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
UDC, STOP penalizing the families! They are having a hard
enough time because, in some instances, the major wage owner is no longer
there. STOP taking out of the mouths of the innocent children who did nothing
to deserve the lives they are being forced into living…a life without a mother
or a father.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Want a suggestion on how to stretch that budget? Release
some of the first time offenders with no prior criminal record. Utilize the
Fortitude Center for Parole Violators instead of sending them back to prison on
a technical violation. Be better stewards of OUR money!</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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If the Offender breaks the rules, punish THEM for that
infraction but STOP punishing the families. </div>
UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-23703135204442548762014-05-31T21:10:00.000-07:002014-05-31T21:10:00.821-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Impact","sans-serif"; font-size: 36.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
Justice for All….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Impact","sans-serif"; font-size: 36.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Utah Prison Support Group is working hard to change the way Offenders are
sentenced in Utah. There has to be a better way and we are meeting with
legislatures as well as the Commission on Criminal Justice to see that this
better way is found. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
have followed the Prison Relocation Committee (PRADA) closely and have attended
several of the Commission on Justice meetings.
In early spring of 2014 the group’s founder spoke at one of the public
meetings of the Commission. At this meeting, more than 100 citizens were in
attendance and approximately one fourth of them had the opportunity to speak.
The consensus of those speaking was that there needs to be a reformation of the
Utah Sentencing Guidelines. Many Offenders are being incarcerated far beyond
the Sentencing Guideline Matrix and some are not spending any measurable time
inside. This was brought to the attention of those sitting on the Governor
appointed commission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here
is an excerpt from our presentation at the meeting:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
following examples show the differences in sentencing. There are many of us who
feel very strongly that the manner in which Criminal Sentencing is mandated by
the Utah Legislature needs a major overhaul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
evening a man and a woman began drinking. Later an argument began and escalated
into a physical altercation. This altercation was not one sided, although the
victim (the woman) said that it was. The man was arrested and placed in the
County Jail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A
pre-sentencing investigation was ordered and the PSI stated that this man fell
into the 24 month recommended time to serve on the Sentencing Commission
matrix. His classification was Row 1, Category G. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fast
forward again to the sentencing. Oral arguments were made and one charge was
merged. Because of this change, another PSI was ordered. Nothing changed in the
investigator’s report; a good example of “copy and paste” by a state official.
The recommended sentence was once again, 24 months as per the Sentencing
Commission guidelines. Sentencing was pronounced and the indeterminate range of
one to fifteen years was given. The man was committed to UDC. Six months later,
an Original Hearing was held before the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. The hearing officer, in open court and on the
record, stated that the recommended time was 24 months - his matrix time. Six
weeks later, the Board of Pardons and Parole pronounced his fate: he would
serve the entire 15 years with credit given for the time he had already served.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now
keep in mind, this man had NO prior criminal history. His prison record since
being committed to UDC custody was, and still is, impeccable. None of this was
taken into consideration at the time of the BOPP decision. What was taken into
consideration was the revenge the victim wanted and that was gotten through
once again, changing her story under oath. This happened in Utah County.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
a second scenario, a man was charged with Aggravated Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault
– Domestic Violence, a F1 and F2 charge; Very similar to the first Offender.
According to the story in the Salt Lake Tribune, “Police found the woman barely
conscious in a bathtub…a security video showed the Offender dragging the woman
back inside the apartment as she tried to crawl away, according to court
documents.” Because of a plea bargain, this Offender received a sentence of one
year in jail, 36 months probation and 50 hours of community service. This case
was heard in Salt Lake County.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
a third case, also heard in Salt Lake County, an Aggravated Assault - Domestic Violence case
(F2), an Offender was given but 90 days in JAIL and ordered to complete 75
hours of community service. And this is after his victim received 65 staples to
close a gash in her head! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why
the differences in sentencing? Seems that the Guidelines are clear as to what
the Commission feels should be the punishment. Why is it ignored?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
have presented the Commission with viable alternatives and have gone on record
that the Board of Pardon and Parole must be changed. The “Good ‘Ole Boys Club”
no longer works in 21<sup>st</sup> Century sentencing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now,
in order to help YOU, Utah Prison Support needs your help. We are currently
gathering information on those Offenders who are over Sentencing Matrix. We
will be compiling the facts and presenting them to the Commission on Criminal
Justice. What do we need from you? We would like the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Offender number<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Age<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matrix recommended sentence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">BOPP decision<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Class of Offense: F1, F2, F3 and
whether or not it was against a person<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Date of incarceration<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Date of next BOPP hearing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please
send to the address below. We would like to present the findings at the July Commission
meeting in Salt Lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you would like to receive the newsletter, "and Justice For All", please drop us a postcard requesting your name be added to the mailing list.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Utah Prison Support Group</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">PO Box 988</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gunnison, UT 84634</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-69230860979992833792014-01-17T19:22:00.003-08:002014-01-17T19:22:47.304-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Yesterday, January 16th, I had the opportunity to speak before the Utah Prison Location Committee Consultant and several of the committee members. This is what I presented.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I am the founder of the Utah Prison
Support group, an organization whose mission is to assist Offenders’ Families
with problems they might be having navigation the UDC system. Another main
focus for my organization is Sentencing Reform and the need to revamp the way
Offenders are sentenced here in Utah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Utah does not need to move their
prison. Utah needs to re-evaluate what is needed to assist these Offenders to
make them productive members of society once they are released.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Several Correctional Officers
testified at the September 16<sup>th</sup> meeting of this committee. At this
time, they voiced their concerns about moving the prison to another location.
Not only would a move affect these officers’ careers, it would have a huge
impact on their family. Quality Officers are at a premium and Utah needs to do
everything they can to keep them. If they leave because they cannot afford to
travel to a remote site in all kinds of weather, than shame on you the Utah Law
Makers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Volunteers, the backbone of the
programming at UDC would also face a hardship and dwindle. These people
unselfishly give of their time, and money, to assist the Offenders. Without
these Volunteers, the cost of incarceration would skyrocket even higher. Or on
the other side of the scale, the Offenders would once again become nothing more
than a barcode in a warehouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We cannot let this happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The recidivism rate in Utah is one of
the highest in our country and we should be ashamed of that. According to an
article published in the Salt Lake Tribune, a study, conducted between 2002 and
2012, 67% of new commitments to UDC were repeat offenders. Utah ranks second in
the nation in sending parole violators back to prison. Many parole violators
are returned to prison on technical infractions. Is sending them back to prison
and creating an “overcrowded facility” on paper the answer? I say no.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">At the September meeting, Mayor Ben
McAdams spoke about the need to explore sentencing reform. I agree with him.
Moving the prison is NOT the answer. The answer is reformation of the manner in
which these Offenders are sentenced. Someone with numerous commitments during their
lifetime is being paroled and the Offender who is a first time offender is
being held far longer than the Sentencing Commission guidelines matrix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Moving the prison is NOT the answer.
UDC and the Legislature need to take a long hard look at the way the Board of
Pardons is handing down sentencing. Indeterminate sentencing is not always the
answer. A letter went out to every member of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee
with a well written Dual Mode Sentencing proposal attached. I hope and pray
that these members read the information that was sent. And does it make sense financially, to keep
Offenders in the prison at the cost of around $30,000 per year if there is an
Immigration detainer on them? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Unfortunately, this all boils down to
the mighty dollar! UDC makes money from these repeat offenders. Keeping a
supply coming through the “revolving doors of UDC” is job security. Rather than
spend money….the Utah taxpayers’ money --- to actually rehabilitate these
Offenders, they give them band aids rather than a major dressing over their
gaping wound. This has to stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Rather than moving the prison, update
what is already there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In December, an Offender was
transported from Gunnison to Draper for a medical appointment. This was during
one of the biggest snow storms of the season. Not only was the heat not working
in A-West, there was snow actually coming in through a missing vent in the
ceiling. Why not fix what is already there?
If it is beyond repair, replace it. Do not move the prison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">There has to be a better use of all
of this money the Committee wants to spend. Educate the Offenders, do not just
patch them up and hope for the best. Give them a marketable skill. Help them
understand the why of their incarceration. But do not spend our hard earned
money to move something that will only benefit those who sit on this committee.
Several committee members have taken the “hurry up and let’s get this done”
attitude and in researching these members, it was found that these same members
are the ones who will benefit financially from this proposed move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Even the cost of this consultant is
extreme. A half of a million dollars of OUR money….for what? Add this cost to
the already high mounting costs of the investigation of the former Attorney
General, the cost to stay the same gender marriages and I can see Utah becoming
bankrupt very quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Please, look at what we already have.
If something needs to be fixed physically… a building needs to be updated, torn
down, or expand the Gunnison facility whatever… do it. Do not move this prison.
We, the taxpayers do not want it. Use the proposed budget money to expand the
educational programming at the prisons."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-78668419285005277012013-12-23T10:07:00.001-08:002013-12-23T10:07:41.318-08:00<div style="background: #F9F6E7; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 6.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; padding: 0in;">
<span class="blurbitemdate"><b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">December
20, 2013</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="blurbitemsource"><i><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(The Huffington Post)</span></i></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><br />
CAN WE WAIT 88 YEARS TO END MASS INCARCERATION?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #f9f6e7; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nazgol Ghandnoosh, research analyst, and Marc Mauer, executive
director of The Sentencing Project write that while “there is a growing
momentum for criminal justice reform…any optimism needs to be tempered by the
very modest rate of decline.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #f9f6e7; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In 2012, the decline was 1.8 percent. If that rate
continues, the two conclude that “it will take until 2101 -- 88 years -- for
the prison population to return to its 1980 level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #f9f6e7; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We hear less ‘tough on crime’ rhetoric and budget-conscious
conservatives are embracing sentencing reforms. The Attorney General has
criticized aspects of the criminal justice system and directed federal
prosecutors to seek reduced sanctions against lower-level offenders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #f9f6e7; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“In light of this, one would think we should celebrate the new
figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) showing a decline in the
U.S. prison population for the third consecutive year. This follows rising
prisoner counts for every year between 1973 and 2010. BJS reports that 28
states reduced their prison populations in 2012, contributing to a national
reduction of 29,000. Beset by budget constraints and a growing concern for
effective approaches to public safety, state policymakers have begun downsizing
unsustainable institutional populations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #f9f6e7; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The break in the prison population's unremitting growth offers an
overdue reprieve and a cause for hope for sustained reversal of the nearly
four-decade growth pattern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #f9f6e7; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But the population in federal prisons has yet to decline. And
even among the states, the trend is not uniformly or unreservedly positive.
Most states that trimmed their prison populations in 2012 did so by small
amounts -- eight registered declines of less than 1 percent. Further, over half
of the 2012 prison count reduction comes from the 10 percent decline in
California's prison population, required by a Supreme Court mandate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #f9f6e7; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Given recent policy changes, why has there been such a small
reduction in the number of people held in prisons? First, many sentencing
reforms have understandably focused on low-level offenders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #f9f6e7; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But most significantly, policymakers have neglected the bulk of
those who are in state prisons: an aging population convicted of violent crimes
or repeat offenses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #f9f6e7; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Certainly the changing climate, new policies, and recent prisoner
counts offer reason for encouragement. But unless we want to wait 88 years to
achieve a sensible prison population, we need to accelerate the scale of
reform.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-70078426938466144332013-11-03T17:30:00.000-08:002013-11-03T17:30:08.350-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">November 5, 2013……<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A day that will forever
be etched in the life of Ronald Faulkner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is the day that
Mr. Faulkner will finally see the outside of the razor wire he has looked at since
May 1998. You see, the Utah Board of Pardons charged Mr. Faulkner with an
additional crime during his Parole Hearing. They were convinced that Mr. Faulkner THOUGHT about committing the additional act.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, for those of you
who don’t know, the Board of Pardons and Parole is a committee of five people,
appointed by the Governor to oversee the “sentencing” phase of Utah’s
Indeterminate Sentencing. In Mr. Faulkner’s case, he was given a sentence of
five years to life by his trial judge. This was for a 1<sup>st</sup> Degree
Felony for Aggravated Burglary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In September of 2009,
Mr. Faulkner had his Board Hearing. At this hearing, the hearing officer, a Mr.
Sullivan, decided that Mr. Faulkner was guilty of a crime of Sexual Aggravated
Assault. The trial judge DID NOT sentence him on this….he was NEVER even charged
with this offense!(The police report even stated that "no sexual intercourse took place".) Then the hearing officer gave a rehearing date to be held in
twenty years! AND, he added that the Board would consider an early release if
Mr. Faulkner completed the Sex Offender Treatment Program at the prison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, this would be all
well and good but in order to get into this program, the Offender has to
CONFESS to committing the crime. And Mr. Faulkner was not CHARGED or CONVICTED
of Sexual Aggravated Assault. So here begins the Catch 22 situation for Mr.
Faulkner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After many, many
petitions to be heard, Mr. Faulkner finally won his opportunity for a rehearing
which took place just a few weeks ago. Mr. Sullivan was not the Hearing Officer
at this hearing and low and behold, the Board found that Mr. Faulkner had served
his time and should have his Inmate Sentence TERMINATED IMMEDIATELY!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, those who sit on
the Board, take this as a lesson that you are not gods! You cannot and will not
charge someone with something YOU think they might have THOUGHT about doing. In
order for this system to work, the Board MUST NOT STAND AS JURY to those who
come before them. They have already been adjudicated. IT IS NOT YOUR JOB TO ADD
charges to those that brought the Offender before you in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Faulkner, good luck
and thank you for being persistent!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-49363537505239514312013-11-03T14:03:00.001-08:002013-11-03T14:03:39.064-08:00VISITATION FAVORITES???<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
This past weekend, I went to visit
with my loved one at Central Utah Correctional Facility. When the guard, (oh,
excuse me, officer), admitted him to the visiting room, he stopped and spoke
with him. When my loved one reached our assigned table, he told me that he had to
sit across from me. I looked around and saw no less than five
other Offenders visiting with their wife, girlfriend, etc. and they were not sitting
across from one another. One couple was almost sitting on TOP of one another.
Nothing was said to them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Why is it that some Offenders have
one set of rules and there is another set for others? Should there not be consistency
among the Officers? It seems that this “rule” is only being taunted by one Sergeant.
If he feels “threatened” by the outspokenness of the visitors, the rule comes
into play. Why the favoritism? Why?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
One can just look at the shoes of
the Offenders to see who gets “preferred” treatment. How is wearing $200.00 Jordan’s
approved by UDC? I know they cannot be ordered via commissary. How do they come
in? They are being allowed to be ordered from outside somehow. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Is the prison system so afraid of contraband
being brought into the prison? Are they afraid that drugs are will be brought
in? Better that they look at other avenues for these illegal substance entering
the facilities because they are still coming in</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Visitors have gone through the main gate, the
front desk, metal detector, x-ray machine for their shoes, gone through the
locking doors and then to the visiting desk. The loved one has gone through similar
security checkpoints....as well as a pat down search before entering the
visiting room. They are not even allowed to bring in their reading glasses!
What is sitting beside a loved one going to do to compromise the security of
the facility?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
It is a proven fact that Offenders who have
constant contact…including close physical contacts... fair better in their
rehabilitation. It is just INHUMANE to deny these people the touch of a loved
one during the visit. I know, you will say, "We allow a hug and a kiss at
the beginning and end of a visit.", but can you survive on only touching
your loved one that little? Most of the people I have observed at CUCF are all
respectable people. They are respectful of the family oriented atmosphere and
act accordingly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Something is most definitely wrong. We, the visitors, do have
common sense....for the most part. Please do not insult us by thinking
otherwise!</div>
UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-37694511621698787632013-10-16T16:59:00.002-07:002013-10-16T16:59:57.668-07:00<a href="http://youtu.be/Wzhfa6wqNRU">http://youtu.be/Wzhfa6wqNRU</a><br />
<br />
Thoughts on Offenders and their lack of legal libraries!UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-29169152561182181712013-09-23T15:29:00.001-07:002013-09-23T15:29:12.074-07:00HELP WANTED: PROGRAM CONSULTANT WANTED. SALARY JUST INCREASED FROM 200K to 500K!<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">That got your
attention? It would me too. But the sad thing is that this is a real offer from
the Utah Prison Relocation Authority Committee. They just voted on September
16th to increase the monetary offer!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And this is YOUR tax
money at work! It affects YOUR
pocketbook! Wouldn’t it be nice to see this 500K spent on something else? Think
about how this money could help the programming at the state prison in Draper
and Gunnison. Think about how this money could help the public school system.
Teachers could, and would, find a good way to spend this money!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Why is it that this
committee, PRADA, is so hell-bent on rushing through all of this? To spend 800 million
(again, YOUR money) to rebuild something that, in reality, is not broken, is ludicrous!
The only thing I can think of is that the ones who are pushing this are
builders themselves with a huge interest in this pot of gold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Rep. Brad Wilson, R-
Kaysville is challenging the committee’s “slowness”. This is interesting that
he is pushing this to move faster. He is, as he said at the most recent public
meeting, “a home builder”. Is it that he
hopes to add “builder of prisons” to his vitae?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, another member of the committee,
said he has still not decided whether the cost of moving the prison is worth it
to taxpayers.</span> Finally, someone is
thinking about the taxpayers! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Taxpayers….you need to make your voice heard! Do not let this committee
take money out of your pockets to pay for this position!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-1455655053399012592013-09-06T09:04:00.002-07:002013-09-06T09:04:47.825-07:00UDC - You Do Not Own Them!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>“We provide food, clothes, medicines, everything. They now
belong to us.” Words uttered at a recent Family Orientation meeting for the
Utah Department of Corrections. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Interesting! Yes, our loved one is in your care, your
custody. But, I disagree with the blanket statement that you now own them! </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our loved ones will NEVER be owned by the UDC! You might
have them in your facility but contrary to what the officers think and feel,
YOU DO NOT OWN THEM! They are our brother, uncle, sister, aunt, daughter, son,
mother, father, husband, wife! They belong to us - their families. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Each and everyone who is a “guest” of the UDC have someone,
somewhere. Now there might be those whose families have given up on them. But,
I think that for the majority of the “guests”, this is not the case. Family
members provide support beyond the walls. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Many of the Offenders are trying to fight their conviction,
for whatever reason. Help from with the walls is almost nonexistent. Contract
attorneys are available but from my understanding, they do the bare minimum in
the way of helping get legal information to the Offender. With no law books
available to those inside the walls, this battle is almost always a losing one.
Deadlines to file are missed because the necessary information is not received
in time. There are delays in the mail room; briefs are not mailed out in a
timely manner. All of this makes it almost impossible for the Offender to help
him/herself.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>With family and friends supporting them and doing the
necessary “legwork”, briefs do get filed. Challenges are written and submitted.
Medical care is followed up on by the family. All of these things are done by
those who care….by those who OWN that human being….the FAMILY.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So please, do not say that you, the UDC, OWN our loved ones….you
do not. Please remember that!</b></span></div>
UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-2630826319198225082013-08-22T18:01:00.002-07:002013-08-22T18:01:20.317-07:00Every Crime Is Born of Necessity<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Every crime is born of necessity. If you want less crime, you must
change the conditions. Poverty often creates crime. Wants, needs, misfortune -
all these awaken the beast in man. He finally takes that which is not his and
thus a criminal is born.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">What does society do with this person? He is punished. Why not
punish someone for having a medical condition? The time will surface when one
will see that this thought is just as logical! What does society do with this
criminal?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">The criminal is sent into the state prison system - one that is
already overcrowded with many repeat offenders. In Utah, (and several other
states), this criminal is sentenced, by the justice system to a yet to be
determined sentence. The legislature has ruled that the pronouncement of sentencing
should be taken away from the presiding judge and jury and given to a board of
appointed people. These people do not know the case as well as the judge, who
has sat through all of the preliminary hearings and days of trial. There are
five people who, after a hearing officer meets with the offender, make a
decision on the criminal’s fate. Now these five board members do not meet as a
group to make this decision. They are sent the file of the offender and they
sign off as to what the sentence should be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Something is very wrong with this Indeterminate Sentencing. These
five people, six if you include the hearing officer, only have in front of them
a file. With the number of offenders coming before the Board of Pardons in any
given week, this is a daunting task to say the least. How can it be humanly
possible for these people to read each and every file that comes before them? I
say it is humanly IMPOSSIBLE! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Some of the offenders who appear at their original hearing are
first time offenders. Some of these offenders have already served more than the
recommended time to serve. There is a matrix that is used by the Adult Parole
and Probation office. Based on several criteria, the AP&P officer makes
their recommendation. Again, this recommendation is based on published criteria
that all officers are bound by law to follow. These same criteria are used by
the Court. Every offender has a Pre-Sentencing Investigation done by AP&P.
Based on this PSI, the Court has a baseline. Now, the legislature has set criteria
also. Depending on the seriousness of the charges, the Court will sentence the
offender to the range of possible term; i.e. a Second Degree Felony will be
sentenced to one to Fifteen years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Now the offender, and their family, has to wait to see how much
time will actually be served. Even though the AP&P report has given a
determinate range of so many months - this is the matrix - the offender often
has to wait months before they learn their fate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">With prison system crying “we are overcrowded”, does indeterminate
sentencing make sense? I say it does not! Why not give the job of sentencing
back to the Court instead of the “elected” officials. And I say “elected”
because I wonder how many of these officials actually gain something monetarily
when the prison is full and talk of building a new prison starts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">I say abolish Indeterminate Sentencing and let the one who knows
the case better than anyone – the Court – make the decision!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-39479252294728534942013-08-20T15:21:00.004-07:002013-08-20T15:21:41.818-07:00EDUCATION EQUALS REHABILITATION<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Got
your attention? I hope so! There has been so much talk about relocating the
Utah State Prison. Media reports say it is because of overcrowding. Has anyone
stopped to examine the “why” of the overcrowding? I have. And here are my
thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Overcrowding
in the prison stems from many repeat offenders. Why are these people returning
time and time again? It seems to be a revolving door at the front entrances of
both Draper and Gunnison. It all boils
down to one thing; lack of education in the state prison system. Now before
anyone starts yelling that there are programs, just wait. Yes there are
programs but what are the Offenders learning? Some of the programs are geared
to help the Offender examine themselves….what happened to make me make this
choice? Why did the Offender choose the path they chose? But what marketable
skills are being offered to those behind the walls?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The Utah Department of
Corrections has constantly reduced its education, programming and treatment of
inmates mainly because of budget cuts. This reduction also comes by choice. It
has eliminated post-secondary education and most vocational training programs,
exactly the kind of programs that directly result in reduced recidivism. Utah
has one of the highest rates of recidivism in the country – over 50%.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There
are some certificate programs available. But they are not available to all.
There are restrictions such as the Offender has to have a parole or termination
date before they can enroll. And then there is the cost for the Offender. Many of
the Offenders do work in the prison….for a mere forty cents an hour. Out of
this sixteen dollars a week (assuming that they work 40 hours) they have
charges such as medical care, medicine, child support , etc. taken. These are
paid first and then whatever is left is put on the Offender’s books. The
Offender is in debt before they are released! And then if they take these
offered certificate courses, they are in even more debt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Draper
and Gunnison (part of the Utah Department of Corrections) recently graduate a large number of Offenders who earned their
high school diplomas. Congratulations to these men and women. But, if an
Offender holds a GED, they are still FORCED to enroll in a high school diploma
course. Why? On the outside, a GED is equivalent to a high school diploma. Many
GED holders made a personal choice to get the GED; whether it was because the
Offender was bored with the public school and wanted to complete it early or
they had to drop out to support a family. Many of today’s Multi-millionaires
have GEDs. Why waste funds forcing the
Offender who has that GED to get a high school diploma? Why not put that money
into the certificate programs and teach them a marketable skill; a skill from
which they will be able to make a <span style="font-family: inherit;">living; a skill that will help them support
the family. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over 95 percent of Offenders will rejoin society. The cure for
this incarceration situation is not in spending the least amount possible, but
rather to spend the right amount, whatever the cost. Treat, educate and
re-integrate the Offenders back into society. What kind of community do you
want to invest in?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I would like to pose a
question, who would you rather have living next door to you, a person who has
spent years in prison watching television, hanging out playing cards, lifting
weights, not acquiring any skills or education or trying to improve himself,
who when he leaves prison is filled with hate and anger and resentment; or a
person who has spent his years in prison learning how his negative choices
brought him to prison, affected his family and friends and most importantly his
victims and society, recognizing those faults and learning through programs to
deal with adversity, and how to think positively, how to love him/herself so
that he/she can help and love others? If your answer is the second person then it
is incumbent upon you to take action and make sure that prisons are places of
rehabilitation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> It is up to us, WE THE PEOPLE, to enforce
these programs in our prisons. How do we do this? You elected the heads of
government into those positions, so make sure they are doing the job they are
there to do. I like to think this: DOC has a boss, who has a boss, who has a
boss. If someone isn't doing what they are supposed to or they do not have
sufficient programs THEN DO SOMETHING!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Many prisons
have the resources. They don’t want to
use it to truly fully rehabilitate the offender. Unfortunately money and
funding seem to matter more than rehabilitation. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our society is more about
revenge than rehabilitation.<span class="apple-converted-space"> Speak up
and let us change this concept!</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today’s offenders are tomorrow’s neighbors, is what I say. GIVE THEM
opportunities to make it on the outside. Give them the knowledge and tools to
succeed. Don’t keep them handicapped!</span></span>UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-34977767346160640012013-08-17T16:36:00.002-07:002013-08-17T16:38:02.050-07:00What Happened to Separation of Church and State in Utah?????<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="chaplain" height="255" src="http://corrections.utah.gov/images/chaplain.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
This is a picture from the Utah Department of Corrections website. I find it interesting that the only "religious" material seen is from the Church of the Latter Day Saints. What happened to separation of church and state? The majority of the programming offered to the Offenders in the Utah Prison system is run by the church! Something is definitely wrong with this picture. When the gentleman pictured above was asked about a specific educational program his reply was, "I don't know anything about that." although he was at the Family Orientation meeting as a representative from Programming! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176935093659733298.post-57558957446509552842013-08-17T16:29:00.002-07:002013-08-17T16:29:23.135-07:00High Cost of Recidivism in Utah<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Education in our state
prison system is a must if we are to reduce the number of offenders being
housed. Merely offering programming, many sponsored by church groups, is NOT
the answer. Offenders need to learn a marketable skill in order to become a functioning,
contributing member of society when released.
Not only will these men and women once again become members of society,
they will not return to the system time and time again. This in itself will
save the taxpayers of Utah millions of dollars by stopping this revolving door!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Over $30,000 annually
is spent on incarcerating one person in the state of Utah. Add to this the cost
of booking that offender into custody (in 2012 the cost was $1700.00) .Then
there is the cost of the substance abuse programs at $3500 per offender and the
sex offender programs at $3900 per offender. Plus add the cost of medical care
for these offenders. How is the state going to keep going at this rate? The
Utah prison system has a capacity of close to 7000 offenders housed in the two
main facilities at Draper and Gunnison. And the system is at capacity! Offenders
are being housed in county jails to assist with the overcrowding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Utah ranked third in
the nation in a 2008 “<i>Study</i> <i>of Recidivism Rates Nationally</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Reducing this
recidivism rate would lower overall crime rates in Utah. There would be less of
a chance of victimization. Lowering of
the recidivism rate would obviously reduce the cost Utah taxpayers are paying
to house the offenders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Offenders in an educational program are 20%
less to return to prison than those who are not enrolled. If one million
dollars were to be invested in education, this would facilitate reducing crimes
by 600 cases. But spend one million dollars to keep the offenders incarcerated
without educational programs and this would only prevent approximately 350 new
criminal cases. (<i>UCLA Study, Correctional
Education as a Crime Control Program, 2010</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Right now in the Utah
prison system, there are educational programs in place through several local
colleges. But there is only room for 175 offenders in these programs. (<i>Apples and Oranges, Nathan Brady, January
31, 2012)</i> As one can see, the ratio is not the greatest! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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UTBOPJusticehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11609297304862005294noreply@blogger.com0