SB 205: Reporting on Inmate Deaths

This bill passed the Senate and the House unanimously.

Since 2000, over 400 Utahns have died in state custody. There have been a few suspicious circumstances where no one has been held accountable and family members have been left with unanswered questions surrounding their loved one’s death. This is a disturbing trend that needs to be addressed immediately.

To restore transparency and ensure accountability in state custodial facilities, Senator Todd Weiler has introduced Senate Bill 205. The bill would require the Department of Corrections, alongside taxpayer-funded jails, to compile procedural information on inmate deaths and opioid addiction treatment plans. This information will then be reviewed by the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee.

Once this information is known, it will be evaluated and determinations can be made whether changes are needed to ensure the safety of future inmates in Utah jails. This bill provides much-needed transparency and will allow for changes to the policies and procedures that take place behind closed doors of jails.