Utah’s prison population had grown 18% in the
decade prior to reform
…and was projected to grow 37% over the next 20 years
8 of top 10 offenses at prison admission were non-violent, led by:
And outcomes on supervision were poor, with 2/3’s of all prison admissions representing returns from probation and parole
18 individual policies to fulfill 6 broad policy objectives
Prioritize prison space for serious and violent offenders
Strengthen probation and parole supervision
Implement comprehensive reentry planning and treatment services
Reduce burdens on county jails
Ensure oversight and accountability
Expand treatment access, incentive grants to counties, and research and technology upgrades
4 years later: An overall reduced prison population
Prison population shift
Shift in Drug Possession Only Court filings
A reduction in the use of Drug-free-zone enhancements
A decline in the severity of Traffic Court filings
Prison projections under HB348
Number of Parole Releases delayed (due to lack of housing in the community)
Prison Admissions by type Fy2019
AP&P Agent Case-load (risk-adjusted)
While increases in the number of prisoners is a result of many factors, it is driven by the rate that parolees are returned to prison, which may in turn, be linked to insufficient resources in the community, enforcement practices, and changes in agents work-load attributed to policies in HB348.
Number of drug possession only court filings
Salt Lake County average daily jail population
(by year): 2000-09/2019
Trends in Utah’s Arrest Rates
This 4th annual report provides several measures that show we are making progress in pursuit of HB348 policy objectives, while noting where challenges have arisen. CCJJ remains committed in continuing to evaluate and support Utah’s criminal justice policies.
Current Criminal Justice Policies in Utah, 2018 Annual Report (2018). Utah commission on criminal and juvenile justice.
HB348 Policy Shifts: Drug-Free Zone Enhancements: Fy2014:19 (2019). Utah commission on criminal and juvenile justice.
HB348 Policy Shifts: Trends in Traffic & Drug Filings: Fy2014:19 (2019). Utah commission on criminal and juvenile justice.
Justice Reinvestment Report (2014). Utah commission on criminal and juvenile justice.