Families of inmates at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison are raising concerns about the impact of an ongoing partial lockdown. The restrictions follow an assault on a correctional officer in September that caused the officer serious injuries.
The Utah Department of Corrections stated that a partial lockdown remains in place for Tier 1 and Tier 2 as officials investigate and address ongoing threats involving correctional officers. According to officials, lockdowns are a standard security response following incidents of this scale while investigations and safety assessments continue.
Utah Department of Corrections Chief Randall Honey explained that modified lockdown procedures are intended to protect staff and inmates and to maintain safety while investigators work to understand what happened. The investigation includes reviewing camera footage, interviewing inmates, and listening to phone calls to assess the incident and continuing security concerns.
The lockdown has disrupted daily routines for inmates, including opportunities to participate in educational programs and work. Chuck Newton, whose son is incarcerated at the facility, noted that the restrictions have also resulted in the suspension of video visits. Newton raised questions regarding how long the lockdown will last and whether existing security protocols should be reconsidered.
The Utah Department of Corrections acknowledged that inmates not involved in the assault are also affected by the current restrictions. Chief Randall Honey stated that the lockdown will be lifted once officials determine the facility is safe, though he could not provide a specific timeline for when restrictions would be removed.
