Senate backs joint resolution to support Garfield County jail expansion

The Utah Senate voted unanimously to pass Senate Joint Resolution 101, which signals legislative support for Garfield County's proposal to provide additional jail bed capacity for state contracting.

Sponsor Senator Stoll told the body the Utah Department of Corrections currently has 1,553 contractable jail beds (1,385 for male inmates and 168 for female inmates), and that Garfield County has proposed adding 80 beds to the state's contracting capacity. Stoll said most contract beds are already utilized and that gaining the Garfield beds would provide "some flexibility" to address a growing female inmate population (Stoll said Utah's female inmate population is growing by about 72 inmates per year).

An amendment adopted on the floor fixed a rate reference: Stoll said the state per‑bed cost figure used in the resolution is $64.68, with statute directing counties to receive 70% of that amount (equaling $45.27).

Senators raised questions about whether county contract beds become "regional prisons" and whether county facilities will provide the same educational programming available at state prisons. Stoll responded that the resolution does not change appropriation or rates; it provides permission for Garfield County to build and seek contracts and that Garfield already has a GED program in place.

The roll call on final passage returned 29 yes, 0 no, 0 absent; the resolution was transmitted to the House for further action.

Next steps: The joint resolution is a non‑binding expression of legislative approval that allows Department of Corrections contracting to proceed subject to statute and negotiation; any final contracting and construction timelines remain with Garfield County and the Department of Corrections.