Offenders & Family

Information for Incarcerated Individuals and Their Families

We know that incarceration affects more than just the person serving time — it impacts families, friends, and loved ones too. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole is responsible for making decisions about releases from prison, including parole, pardons, commutations, and terminations of sentences.

An Inmate's Guide to the Utah Board of Pardons & Parole

To help people understand what happens after a person is sentenced to prison, we’ve created An Inmate’s Guide to the Utah Board of Pardons & Parole, also called the Inmate Handbook. This handbook is written for individuals in custody, but families may also find it helpful.

The handbook includes:

  • An explanation of the Board
  • How the Board calculates the indeterminate sentence
  • The process from setting a hearing date to a decision
  • Information about the what happens at a hearing
  • Parole and parole violations
  • Answers to frequently asked questions

This handbook is designed to help you understand the Board's processes, whether you are at the beginning of your sentence or approaching a hearing.

You can access the handbook here.

For Families and Friends

The handbook can help answer questions you may have about the process your loved will experience after sentencing. You can also use the Contact Us page for specific questions.

What is the Board's Role in Sentencing

Utah uses indeterminate sentencing, which means judges give a range of time for incarceration instead of a fixed amount (e.g., “0 to 5 years” rather than “2.5 years”). After you arrive at prison, the Board uses a form called a matrix, provided by the Utah Sentencing Commission, to calculate your sentencing guideline.*

The guidelines determined by AP&P for the Court (before you are sentenced) are not used by the Board.

Keep in mind, guidelines are recommendations, not mandates. Statute requires incarceration for the maximum sentence unless the Board grants an earlier release. The Board can choose to

release someone either before or after the guideline. The guideline is just a starting point. The Board also looks at other factors including, but not limited to:

  • the harm done to the victim,
  • your behavior in prison,
  • progress in treatment or education,
  • and your criminal history.

Because of this, people convicted of similar crimes can get different decisions from the Board regarding release, parole, parole conditions, and how long they stay in prison.

*For more information: https://justice.utah.gov/sentencing/sentencing-and-release-guidelines/