Crime & Security

Breaking the Cycle: Recidivism and Reentry in Utah

Written by: Ashley Marshall

Utah is expected to spend over $1.4 billion this year on incarceration, probation, and parole. Are there ways to reduce that cost? Perhaps. Reducing recidivism is an important consideration. Recidivism, the tendency for someone to re-offend and end up back in prison after release, is one of the clearest ways to measure whether the criminal legal system is meeting its goals. The Utah Foundation’s newest report examines how Utah defines and tracks recidivism, what it … Continued

People in Prison: Understanding Utah’s Incarcerated Population

Written by: Ashley Marshall

A new Utah Foundation report examines the characteristics and circumstances of Utah’s incarcerated population, offering insight into education levels, employment status, substance use, housing stability, and interactions with the criminal justice system at the time of arrest. The report finds that incarcerated Utahns differ in important ways from the general population—particularly in educational attainment. While 91% of Utahns have completed high school, that rate is only 61% for incarcerated individuals.   At the same time, … Continued

Crime: 2024 Utah Priorities Project

Written by: Staff

Crime is a concern for many Utahns. It should come as little surprise that the issue ranked of some importance among voters responding to the 2024 Utah Priorities Project survey. Nonetheless, crime rates have been steadily in decline for decades – except violent crime in Utah. Read more in the 2024 Utah Priorities Project’s 13th research brief. Read the brief here.  

Priced Out and Fed Up: Cost of Living and Government Dysfunction are Voters’ Top Issues – 2024 Utah Priorities Project

Written by: Christopher Collard

Each November, Utahns have a chance to shape government to fit their needs. Ideally, the voters’ voices serve as a compass to correct the course of government and shape society. However, information gaps can preclude an ideal outcome. First, politicians and policymakers need to understand Utahns’ priorities. Second, voters need relevant background on the issues that matter most. The Utah Foundation’s Utah Priority Project seeks to fill those information gaps and provide that background. Priced … Continued

To Protect and Serve: Meeting Law Enforcement Recruiting and Retention Challenges in Utah

Written by: Christopher Collard

Businesses in Utah have for years reported that they have difficulty finding enough skilled employees to meet their needs. In a 2018 survey, the Utah Foundation found that this difficulty was the top issue “holding businesses back.” But this problem is not unique to the private sector. Local and state governments face a similar challenge, particularly in filling law enforcement positions. It seems to have become even more acute in recent years. This report highlights … Continued

The Kindness of Strangers: Social Trust in Utah

Written by: Peter Reichard

UTAH SOCIAL CAPITAL SERIES Check out the other sections of the Utah Social Capital Series. Links will become live as reports are published Civic Engagement Social Trust Community Life Family Health Social Cohesion Focus on Future Generations Social Mobility Overall Index Successful social interactions depend on trust. Social trust has major implications for the prosperity of an economy, the health of a democracy, the strength of the social fabric, and the support of strong social … Continued

Rethinking Rehabilitation: Improving Outcomes for Drug-Addicted Offenders in Utah

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. In Rethinking Rehabilitation, Utah Foundation explains efforts to address addiction within the context of the justice system … Continued

Utah Priorities 2016, Issue #7: Crime and Safety

Written by: Shawn Teigen

In the 2016 Utah Priorities Project, crime ranked seventh among issues concerning Utahns. While sixth in 2004 and 2008, it dropped to twelfth for 2010 and 2012. However, the reemergence back on the top-ten list is not necessarily related to an increase in crime. In fact, violent crime and property crime rates remain at 50-year lows nationally and have been on a downward trend in Utah over the past 20 years.1 Survey Responses Every two … Continued

Utah Foundation Quality of Life Index: 2013 Edition Shows Concerns About Jobs, K-12 Education and Air Quality

Written by: Shawn Teigen

Produced in collaboration with Intermountain Healthcare, the Utah Foundation Quality of Life Index is updated every two years to track how Utahns perceive changes in quality of life and the reasons for those changes. The second biennial Utah Quality of Life Index stands at 78.2 out of a possible 100 points, up one point from 2011. Although Utah’s quality of life rating improved, several of the issues most important to Utahns – public schools, job … Continued

The 2012 Utah Priorities Survey of Party Delegates and Voters

Written by: Stephen Hershey Kroes

As part of the 2012 Utah Priorities Project, Utah Foundation and the Hinckley Institute of Politics have surveyed Utah voters and delegates to the major parties’ state conventions.  This survey was conducted for the first time in 2010, showing distinct differences between party delegates and voters, with delegates usually taking more zealous positions than their parties’ voters.  The 2012 survey also shows differences between voters and delegates, but those differences are not as pronounced as … Continued