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GUNNISON — You could say it was "bring your daughter to work" day at the Central Utah Correctional Facility during an employee open house Tuesday in the state's newest cell block.
"This is a really unique opportunity because we have a … brand new unit that we haven't introduced offenders into yet. So it gives them the opportunity to come into the unit, see where their spouses or family member go on a day-to-day basis," said Deputy Warden Shane Nelson.
Nearly 200 inmates are scheduled to move into the new unit soon. They'll double up in cells measuring 8 feet wide and 12 feet long.
Typically officers sit in a protected control room, but Nelson said the Utah Department of Corrections is implementing direct supervision in this unit. That's where a corrections officer interacts in person with the inmates.
"It gives me an opportunity to work more closely with the offender and help them accomplish the goals they hope to achieve here during their incarceration," explained corrections officer Christopher Jensen.
Officers believe monitoring the inmates in person will help prevent violence among inmates and can provide positive social interaction.
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Prison expansion welcomed by central Utah community
As the debate about the future of the Utah State Prison in Draper continues, the Department of Corrections broke ground Monday to expand the prison in Sanpete County."Probably about 90 percent of them are going to be out in society again, and if we don't help them be better citizens now they are going to struggle when they get out in society," Jensen said.
This direct supervision model is how the new state prison west of Salt Lake City is being designed.
"The physical design may be much different depending on the area, but the intent is to carry on this new direct supervision management style in the new facility," Nelson said.
The expansion is also creating 76 new jobs in the community.
"We have several positions open now right now for corrections officers," Nelson said. "We have open recruitment and we welcome anybody to look into it and apply."
For more information or to apply for a job in the Utah Department of Corrections, visit corrections.utah.gov.
