Corrections

Utah Thrives Podcast | Recidivism in Utah

Written by: Dan Bammes

In a new report, Breaking the Cycle: Recidivism and Reentry in Utah, the Utah Foundation examines Utah’s efforts to prevent offenders from returning to prison after release. Utah’s definition of recidivism differs from neighboring states. In fact, many who come back to prison for technical violations of their parole aren’t accounted for in the official numbers. In this edition of Utah Thrives, a roundtable discussion of Utah Foundation staff and board members looks at reasons … Continued

Op-ed: ‘I want to be a police officer when I grow up’ used to be a common dream. How do we bring it back?

Written by: Shawn Teigen

Negative perceptions are hurting police staffing. How can we get young Americans to support police?   “Andy Griffith Show” reruns. “Kojak” on prime time. “Columbo.” “Starsky & Hutch.” Once upon a time, you could turn on the TV and find that the cops were almost always good guys. Crockett and Tubbs occasionally discovered that an officer was involved with the drug trade, but the “Miami Vice” duo stayed above the fray and took the bad … Continued

Rethinking Rehabilitation — Video

Written by: Sam Brucker

Drug treatment programs for criminal offenders can provide significant cost savings to the criminal justice system and reduce recidivism rates. Treatment programs have also been shown to reduce overdose deaths after release from prison. One recent federal study found a five-fold return to the public on investments in drug rehabilitation programs for offenders. However, treatment programs vary widely in intensity and approach. This video provides background on the issue, described in further detail in our … Continued

Utah Thrives: Drug Rehab — In Jail and Out

Written by: Dan Bammes

Going to jail for a drug-related crime might not seem like an opportunity for the person who’s incarcerated. But while they’re locked up in Utah’s prisons and jails, inmates addicted to drugs might find treatment programs that could help them escape the addiction. A research report from Utah Foundation shows those programs vary widely from state prisons to county jails, but for those who get help, the likelihood of going back to jail is reduced … Continued

Helping criminal offenders find freedom

Written by: Peter Reichard

Somewhere in our state right now, an inmate is struggling with the slavery of substance abuse. He has fallen into a downward spiral of addiction and criminality, and has landed behind bars. Drug use and crime are often entangled. Some offenders with substance use disorders are arrested on drug possession charges; others may be arrested for crimes committed to fund an addiction. In short, many criminal offenders are people caught in the downward spiral of … Continued