The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole announced the launch of a new educational text messaging series designed for the families and friends of incarcerated individuals navigating the post-conviction process, according to a October 19 statement.
The educational series will provide subscribers with short, weekly text messages. These messages are intended to explain what occurs after a person is sentenced to prison, how hearings are scheduled, and how parole decisions are made.
Board Chair Blake Hills stated that the goal of the text series is to provide clear, reliable information to families in a convenient way so they understand what to expect after a loved one is sentenced to prison. Hills noted that the project represents the next evolution in the Board's ongoing commitment to providing clear and accessible information.
This text series builds upon the Inmate Handbook and Parole Violation Handbook previously published by the Board. It was developed as a companion project to a similar initiative launched by the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC).
This educational effort aligns with the state's GRIT (Growth, Resilience, Innovation, and Transparency) initiative. This initiative supports the Board's efforts to modernize public communications, build trust, and promote transparency across Utah's criminal justice system.
The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole is an independent body established by the Utah Constitution. The Board plays a critical role in the state's criminal justice administration by making fair and informed decisions on parole-related matters to contribute to public safety and offender rehabilitation.
Family members and friends can sign up online through the Board's website at bop.utah.gov/offenders-and-family.
This messaging series provides general educational information for families and friends and does not offer personalized case assistance or victim notification services.
