Conversations With Corrections

“Moving the middle” is the goal of the Utah Department of Corrections’ new housing model. UDC is shifting its facilities to further embrace Tiered Housing.

On this episode of Conversations with Corrections: Real change cannot happen without accountability. How a behavior-based housing model can create safer, more stable environments for everyone inside.

The guests on Conversations With Corrections are Randall Honey, Chief of Prison Operations and Mike Schoenfeld, Deputy Commissioner at UDC.

This model of housing incarcerated people incentivizes positive behaviors and rewards improvement. Each tier has three stages, which grant an increasing number of privileges. An individual who meets the expectations to progress through all three stages can then advance to the next tier.

It’s crucial for creating better opportunities for incarcerated individuals – and for reducing recidivism.

On this episode of Conversations with Corrections: The educational opportunities The Utah Department of Corrections provides and their impact.

UDC Educational Administrator Kelsey Gressmen discusses the success of the programs as well as how UDC is interrupting the so-called "school to prison pipeline."

It’s one of the first teams of its kind in the state of Utah. These specialized K-9 units can change the way law enforcement investigate digital crimes and help Adult Probation and Parole Agent with their mission.

On this episode of Conversations with Corrections: The Utah Department of Corrections receives its first Electronics Detection K-9 Agents.

UDC director of public affairs Rich Piatt is joined by UDC's Tim Kincaid, AP&P Chief; Josh Draper, Assistant AP&P Chief; and Josh Paxman, an AP&P Agent and handler of K-9 Glitch, one of the department’s new electronics detection dogs.

Transitioning from incarceration back into the community is never easy. Finding stable employment is often the greatest hurdle—and, for many, it's the difference between a second chance and returning to prison.

On this episode of Conversations with Corrections: Second Chances. We're exploring how the Utah Department of Corrections and our partners are bridging that gap between release and successful reentry, turning potential into productivity and ensuring safer communities for everyone.

Our guests:

Katie Christensen, UDC’s Workforce Development and Partnerships Manager

Preston Cochrane, CEO of the Other Side Village… which provides permanent supportive housing for people who have experienced chronic homelessness and or other long-term challenges.

If you are an empl0yer interested in offering a second chance, email [email protected].

For more stories about those who have made the most of their second chance, see our stories:

Second Chance Employment Partnership with UDC and Other Side Village

Offering a Second Chance at SMM Excavation

What does it take to get a government agency to communicate effectively?

Modern internal communications strategy is transforming one of Utah's most complex agencies from the inside out.

By integrating new technology tools and telling the agency's stories across multiple platforms, the Utah Department of Corrections and the public are becoming more connected than ever before.

In this episode of Conversations with Corrections, Utah Departments of Corrections Communication Director Nicole Vowell explains how a stronger internal communications strategy directly improves public trust.

In every part of our world, we are inundated with claims of new, advanced technology and tools that promise to revolutionize the way we work or live and disrupt whole industries. How do we sort through which are empty promises and which are real?

In Corrections, it’s critical to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in criminal justice technology and tools that will help us fulfill our mission of improving lives and protecting communities.

The Utah Department of Corrections stays on top of all of that with the help of Kristine Holt, Director of Technology and Innovation and Matt Romney, Manager of Technology at UDC. They have the inside track on the latest innovations in data management and tracking, such as Large Language Models (AI), and how that's impacting the world of Corrections.

Law enforcement is an important part of Corrections in Utah, but the role of law enforcement extends beyond the initial arrest and conviction. Within Corrections, law enforcement officers conduct investigations, assist and monitor parolees and probationers, train correctional officers, and respond to critical incidents. Their role is meant to help keep Corrections facilities and the community safe.

The Chief of the Law Enforcement Bureau at the Utah Department of Corrections, Jason Nichols, lends his insight to the role of law enforcement in Utah Corrections. During his 25 years on the job, the environment, expectations, training, and technology has evolved, but being service- and community-oriented and showing up with professionalism is more important than ever.

On this episode of the Conversations with Corrections Podcast, Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) Executive Director Jared Garcia is joined by Colonel Michael Rapich, the Deputy Commissioner of The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS).

UDC and DPS work together closely. As state agencies, we both play significant roles involving community supervision and public safety. And, we’re always looking for ways to strengthen that partnership and support each others’ missions.

Col. Rapich and Exec. Dir. Garcia reflect back on their time together in law enforcement in Utah, discussing the importance of mentorship and cultivating new leaders.

Col. Rapich served the Department of Public Safety for more than 30 years. Colonel Rapich announced his retirement on October 30, 2025.

April is Second Chance Month.

But how do we bridge the gap between serving time and freedom? That’s the role of Community Correctional Centers (CCC).

Utah Department of Corrections' (UDC) Reentry and Rehabilitation Division Chiefs Bart Mortensen and Randall Honey share what happens at CCCs and how important they are for UDC's mission and communities.

It's the 2026 Legislative wrap-up episode of our podcast!

This past legislative session came to a wrap with some key “Win’s” for the Utah Department of Corrections. We started the session prepared to cut 5% from our budget and we ended with great support from the Governor and Legislature.

This episode features Utah Department of Corrections' Executive Director Jared Garcia and Public Affairs Director Rich Piatt, along with guests are Carolina Herrin, UDC’s Legislative Affairs Director, and Jeff Mottishaw, Director of Administrative Operations and Quality.