Gov. Cox announced Friday that 2,464 incarcerated individuals were successfully moved from the Utah State Prison to the new Utah State Correctional Facility. Photo credit: Gov. Spencer J. Cox.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox used his official Twitter account Friday to announce that 2,464 incarcerated individuals have been moved from the Utah State Prison in Draper to the new Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City.
“This transfer required tremendous forethought and coordination given the logistics and security concerns,” Gov. Cox said in a statement. “We offer our sincere thanks to Director Brain Nielson, the entire team at the Utah Department of Corrections, and the many other state and local agencies who helped for their professionalism and dedication.
“Ensuring a safe and secure move to our new state-of-the-art corrections facility was a monumental task. We congratulate everyone involved on a job well done.”
According to a press release, buses, vans, and cars relocated the incarcerated individuals. Their safety, security, and medical needs were of prime consideration. Once they got to the new facility, each incarcerated individual received a commissary bag. The press release said each bag contained an assortment of snacks and hygiene products.
The move required 340 total trips over the course of five days.
Executive director for the Utah Department of Corrections, Brian Nielson (one of many agencies who assisted in the move) said his team is grateful for the law enforcement agencies and other organizations that offered support to make the move possible.
He also said he is grateful for the cooperation of the incarcerated individuals.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t express gratitude to the incarcerated as well for their cooperation and patience during this event,” Nielsen said. “We recognize that for some of the individuals the prison in Draper has been their home for many years.”
The press release stated the new facility features more opportunities for the incarcerated, as well as corrections staff, to see more daylight. Along with this, the new facility also features greater access to programming opportunities, uncompromised security and safety, and normalization of life for incarcerated individuals to help them when they re-enter society.
The Utah Department of Corrections expects to resume normal operations on Monday, July 18.