Offenders are offered activities, programs and services to provide for their educational and spiritual needs.
The Chaplains
Chaplains provide offenders with ecclesiastical counseling and non-denominational services. The chaplains are part-time staff members of the Department and assist both staff and offenders with crisis intervention and help them during personal and family trials. Chaplains are a resource for religious knowledge to staff, offenders and volunteers. They provide additional assistance by establishing ongoing relationships with community religious leaders; have direct contact with offenders through consultations, programs and services; evaluate needs of offenders and decide the best sources available to meet those needs; answer questions regarding religious programs (services, symbols, reading material); and are a source for mediation (emergencies, deaths, fights, injuries) for staff and inmates.
Religious Programs
Offenders under the jurisdiction of the Utah Department of Corrections represent more than two dozen different religions. In order to meet each offender's educational and spiritual religion needs, a variety of activities, programs and services are provided. Currently available for offender participation are: worship services, scripture study courses, religious educational courses, choir, prayer services, religious-based addiction recovery groups, (LDS) Family Home Evening groups, (LDS) Family History Center, (Native American) Sweat Lodge and Pipe ceremonies, and Sidda Yoga Meditation.