The Utah Department of Corrections is bringing back the opportunity for incarcerated individuals to take photographs with their friends and family members during in-person visits.
Starting August 1, 2026, eligible offenders may have one family-style photograph taken during an in-person visit every 12 months. Visiting staff will facilitate the photographs and provide the images to the participating family members.
To request a photo, individuals must complete a photo request sheet at the visiting desk before the visit begins. The request must include the offender's name and number, the visitor's name, and a valid email address.
Eligibility for the program requires that the incarcerated individual is permitted to have in-person visits in the main visiting room and is not restricted to video or barrier visits. Staff will verify this eligibility. The offender maintains the right to decline a photograph without losing eligibility for future visits.
Specific rules govern the photograph session. The incarcerated individual must wear either a state-issued uniform shirt or a plain, unaltered white T-shirt. Other colors, tank tops, or altered shirts are not permitted. During the photo, the offender must sit with their hands in their lap while visitors stand beside or behind them. If a visitor is unable to stand, they may sit beside the offender.
Physical contact is restricted; hugging and kissing are prohibited, though staff may permit limited contact such as placing a hand on the offender's shoulder. Additionally, the incarcerated individual is not permitted to hold a minor child or allow a child to sit on their lap; children must stand on their own or be held by an adult visitor.
Staff will take one verification photograph and one family photograph. Photos will not be previewed or retaken unless staff determine the original is unusable. Once taken, the family photograph will be emailed to the address provided on the request form.
This program is limited to those housed at the Utah State Correctional Facility and the Central Utah Correctional Facility. Incarcerated individuals will also receive information regarding the visiting photo program. Questions regarding the program should be directed to facility visiting staff.
