Who created the Board of Pardons?

The Board of Pardons was created by state constitution and was originally comprised of the Governor, the Attorney General, and members of the Utah Supreme Court.

What part of State government does the Board represent?

The Board is an independent State Department under the executive branch. The Chairperson serves on the Governor's Cabinet Council.

How many Board members are there?

Members of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole are full time positions with a current membership of five Board members. There are also five Pro Tempore members. These positions are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the senate and serve staggered five year terms.

What is the mission of the Board?

The mission of the Board of Pardons and Parole is to further public safety by rendering just decisions regarding the length of incarceration, parole supervision, termination of sentence, commutation of sentence and pardons.

What is the Board's jurisdiction?

The Board has jurisdiction over those offenders committed to the custody of the Utah Department of Corrections for an indeterminate term that may not exceed the maximum sentence imposed.

How are Board decisions different from that of a judge?

It is the Board's responsibility to determine the length of incarceration for these indeterminate sentences. Judges can only impose indeterminate terms.

Are there any other participants in the Board's procedural process?

The Board has a full time staff which consists of Hearing Officers, Mental Health Specialist, Victim Coordinator, Disclosure Specialists, and others. All have a single purpose to help prepare individual cases in keeping with due process and procedural rights and the eventual final decision of the Board.

Who has final authority to determine commutation of death penalties?

The Board of Pardons and Parole is the final authority to determine commutation of death penalty cases, when petitioned.

What is necessary for a Board decision to be made?

All Board decisions must be supported by a majority vote of the full time Board Members with the exception of issuing arrest warrants.

Are Board decisions final?

The Board decisions are final, non appealable, and not subject to judicial review. Procedural issues are subject to judicial review.