POLICY CHECKLIST
TOUGH ON CRIME
Target gangs and other organized criminal groups
Increase criminal penalties and resources to combat fentanyl trafficking
SUCCESSFUL REENTRY
Help offenders successfully reintegrate after paying their debt to society
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Crack down on illegal immigrants who commit crimes in the Beehive State
STOPPING SANCTIONED CRIME
Require local governments to enforce state and local laws
Founded on strong families and communities, Utah is one of the safest states in the nation. As we confront new challenges like the impacts of the Southern Border crisis, including gang violence and fentanyl trafficking, we will build on past investments and policies to prevent crime, hold offenders accountable, and reduce recidivism.
Our commitment to public safety is key to preserving Utah's high quality of life.
TOUGH ON CRIME
TARGET GANGS AND OTHER ORGANIZED CRIMINAL GROUPS
Last year, the Legislature enhanced criminal penalties for drug distributors and repeat criminal offenders. This year, we will build on those efforts by targeting gangs and addressing gaps in the criminal justice system that create a revolving door for frequent offenders who undermine our public safety.
The rise of fentanyl – a synthetic opioid far more deadly than heroin or cocaine – has become a top public safety concern. Last year, fentanyl surpassed meth as the most common drug involved in fatal overdoses in Utah. To address its devastating impact, we will increase criminal penalties and law enforcement resources to disrupt trafficking networks and hold drug traffickers accountable.
INCREASE CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND RESOURCES TO COMBAT FENTANYL TRAFFICKING
SUCCESSFUL REENTRY
HELP OFFENDERS SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATE AFTER PAYING THEIR DEBT TO SOCIETY
We firmly support holding criminals accountable while simultaneously helping ex-offenders successfully reintegrate into their communities and become contributing members of society. Last year, the Legislature created a new Division of Reentry within the Department of Corrections and expanded mental health and substance abuse treatment to help inmates turn their lives around.
This session, we will strengthen reentry programs to help prepare released offenders to obtain employment and reduce recidivism.
93%
OF STATE PRISON INMATES EVENTUALLY
RETURN TO THEIR COMMUNITIES
With a new focus on reentry, the Department of Corrections is helping offenders rebuild their lives – before they are released into the community. Watch this video to learn more about SOLID, a new inmate-led peer support program at the state prison in which offenders help each other turn their lives around.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO COMMIT CRIMES IN THE BEEHIVE STATE
The federal government’s disastrous crisis at the Southern Border is impacting states all across the country, including Utah. The dramatic increase in new arrivals has strained schools and local services and has increased public safety challenges on our roads and in our communities.
This session, we will pass policies to address unlicensed drivers and coordinate with federal authorities to expedite deportations of illegal migrants who commit crimes.
STOPPING SANCTIONED CRIME
REQUIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ENFORCE STATE AND LOCAL LAWS
Last year, the Legislature gave cities the tools to end unsanctioned camping, increased funding to mitigate the impacts of homelessness on local communities, and established a new Homeless Services Board to increase accountability for addressing homelessness.
This session, we will work with private sector partners and hold local governments accountable for reducing homelessness, enforcing the law, and minimizing the impacts on local communities – especially where homelessness is most acute.
Since 2022, the Legislature has provided over $229 million to address homelessness and support deeply affordable housing. But that unprecedented state investment isn’t enough by itself to clean up our streets if municipalities refuse to do their part and enforce basic laws. Salt Lake City needs to do its job and enforce state and local laws, stop tolerating open air drug use, end unsanctioned camping, and clean up public spaces like the Salt Lake City Library and Jordan River Trail.
