Whether you are awaiting trial or serving a shorter sentence, you may find yourself at the Salt Lake County Jail. For inmates, it’s important to know what to expect from life at the Salt Lake County Jail.
Generally, the Salt Lake County Jail is less restrictive to inmates than a maximum-security prison. Inmates will be assigned a work detail and a pod, largely based on their behavior. During your time at the Salt Lake County Jail, you can receive regular visits from loved ones and your criminal defense attorney. Family members can easily add funds to your commissary account, so you can purchase amenities to make your stay more comfortable. There are also multiple programs offered at the jail to help inmates reduce their sentences and improve their lives.
If you have been charged with a crime in, it’s crucial to consult with an attorney to fight on your behalf. For a free case evaluation with the Salt Lake City criminal defense attorneys at Overson & Bugden, call us today at (801) 758-2287.
What Are is Life Like at the Salt Lake County Jail?
When you arrive at the Salt Lake County Jail, whether to await trial or serve a short sentence, you should know what to expect. It’s important for inmates to prepare for the expected living conditions and their likely day-to-day lives.
The Salt Lake County Jail is usually used as a temporary holding facility. Unlike a prison, where convicted inmates are imprisoned to serve sentences, the Salt Lake County Jail is where you may stay while awaiting trial. That being said, if you are convicted to serve a relatively short sentence, you might serve it at the Salt Lake County Jail.
Inmates are divided into four pods based on their behavior and the crimes they are standing trial for. There are about eight housing units in each pod, with over 60 inmates in each housing unit.
Unlike a maximum-security prison, inmates at the Salt Lake County Jail generally have more freedoms, depending on inmates’ behavior. Inmates are often assigned a work detail during their time at the Salt Lake County Jail and can enjoy various programs while awaiting trial or serving a shorter sentence.
If there is an issue with your living conditions at the Salt Lake County Jail concerning access to food or improper pod placement, speak with your West Valley City criminal defense attorney.
What Are the Salt Lake County Jail’s Visiting Hours?
During your time at the Salt Lake County Jail, you can receive regular visits from your loved ones. Because visitation hours are divvied up between the different pods at the Salt Lake County Jail, and because there is a protocol that visitors must follow, planning a visit can be difficult and requires preparation.
Inmates’ loved ones should schedule a visit at the Salt Lake County Jail about a week in advance and arrive early. Visitation hours are strict, so if you don’t arrive early enough, you may miss your opportunity to catch up with your loved one.
Generally, you can visit your loved one at the Salt Lake County Jail twice a week. The exact time you can visit your loved ones will depend on which pod they are in. Generally, there are no visitors allowed during mealtimes or when an inmate is working.
How to Add Money to Your Commissary at the Salt Lake County Jail
During your time at the Salt Lake County Jail, it can be beneficial to access commissary funds. These funds allow you to purchase enjoyable snacks and other amenities that tend to make your stay much more comfortable.
When sending money to your loved one’s commissary account, it’s important to do so properly. Your loved one’s Sandy criminal defense lawyer can help you add money to an inmate’s commissary account so that they can purchase things like coffee, shoes, and hygiene products.
Family members of Salt Lake County Jail inmates can add money to a commissary account by sending checks or certified money orders via mail or by charging their credit or debit card through a secure service, among other methods.
Inmate Programs Offered at the Salt Lake County Jail
During your time at the Salt Lake County Jail, it can benefit you to get involved in some of the many programs offered to inmates. By engaging in these educational and therapeutic programs, inmates may reduce their sentences under certain circumstances.
Your attorney will likely advise you to engage in some of the Good Time programs offered at the Salt Lake County Jail. It’s important to note that not all inmates will qualify to earn Good Time but can still engage in the programs. If you’re unsure whether or not participating in Good Time programs will reduce your sentence, ask your Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyer.
Many appealing programs offered at the Salt Lake County Jail can make your time spent there more enjoyable. For example, there is a G.E.D. program for inmates who didn’t graduate from high school. Not only can this help you earn Good Time, but it can also set you up for success once you’re released from the Salt Lake County Jail.
There are also group therapy sessions and life skills programs that teach inmates about things like finances and health, with a focus on how to successfully reintegrate into society.
One of the Salt Lake County Jail’s most popular Good Time programs is Correctional Assessment and Treatment Services, more commonly known as CATS. CATS is a therapeutic program that primarily focuses on helping inmates imprisoned for drug offenses and struggling with addiction.
Call Our Salt Lake City Criminal Defense Attorneys Today
If you or your loved one have been charged with a crime, our lawyers can help. For a free case evaluation with the Riverton criminal defense attorneys at Overson & Bugden, call us today at (801) 758-2287.
