Agency Histories

Department of Corrections

Entity: 229
Entity Type: State Government

Prior Names

Board of State Prison Commissioners

Abstract

A Board of Corrections was established in 1896. Following the prison riot in February of 1957, a full-time director was appointed to oversee day-to-day affairs. When the new Department of Health and Welfare was created in 1967, the Board was split into two parts, with the Division of Corrections continuing the regular functions of the office, and a new Board established as a policy-making agency. In 1983, a major reorganization partially severed relations between Corrections and Social Services, and Corrections was formalized as a department in 1985.

Biography/History Notes

A Board of Corrections was established in 1896. Following the prison riot in February of 1957, a full-time director was appointed to oversee day-to-day affairs. When the new Department of Health and Welfare was created in 1967, the Board was split into two parts, with the Division of Corrections continuing the regular functions of the office, and a new Board established as a policy-making agency. In 1983, a major reorganization partially severed relations between Corrections and Social Services, and Corrections was formalized as a department in 1985.

The Division of Corrections was created within the Department of Health and Welfare in 1967 (Laws of Utah ch. 174 section 84). In 1983, the Division underwent a large-scale reorganization resulting in an upgrade to departmental status in 1985.

Hierarchy

Department of Corrections