Utah Department of Corrections warns proposed reductions would weaken reentry services and strain operations

Jared Garcia, executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections, told the appropriations subcommittee Wednesday that several proposed reductions in the LFA reduction list would damage operations and reentry outcomes.

Garcia said a proposed reduction of just over $4.6 million in Behavioral Health Treatment Center (BHTC) costs would jeopardize current behavioral health housing and treatment arrangements; the department also flagged a $2.6 million savings item tied to closing the Orange Street Community Correctional Center, which currently houses female parolees in reentry. “If we shut that center down, what this really does is means that those women either have to stay in prison longer or we're gonna release them directly to the streets,” Garcia told the committee.

He also highlighted a proposed $1.4 million personnel cut and said the department no longer has large vacancy savings to absorb such reductions: “We no longer have those vacancy savings costs to rely on,” Garcia said, noting staffing and inflationary pressures. He said removing funds tied to House Bill 412 would weaken reentry efforts that help people obtain treatment, education and services needed for successful community reintegration.

Garcia described one‑time adjustments the department made when it assumed the current leadership, including paying off long‑running vehicle leases that reduced short‑term costs but raise long‑term monthly lease payments. He urged the committee to consider the operational consequences of short‑term budget savings.

The committee heard Garcia’s concerns but did not act on the corrections items during the hearing.