R251-703. Vehicle Direction Station  


R251-703-1. Authority and Purpose
Latest version.

(1) This rule is authorized under Sections 63G-3-201, 64-13-14 and 64-13-10, of the Utah Code.

(2) The purpose of this rule is to define the Department's policy, procedure and requirements for the operation of the Vehicle Direction Stations located at the South Point and Central Utah Correctional facilities.


R251-703-2. Definitions
Latest version.

  (1) "Central Utah Correctional Facility" or "CUCF" means the institutional housing unit located in Gunnison.

  (2) "Civilian" means vendor, deliveryman, construction worker, family members, friend, or other person not acting on behalf of UDC or an allied agency in an official capacity who needs access to prison property.

  (3) "Department" means Department of Corrections.

  (4) "DPO" means Division of Prison Operations.

  (5) "ID" means identification issued by an authorized government agency.

  (6) "South Point" means the Uinta, Wasatch and Oquirrh facilities at the Utah State Prison.

  (7) "VDS" means Vehicle Direction Station.

  (8) "Visitor" means any person accessing prison property other than a Utah Department of Corrections employee, an inmate, or offender.


R251-703-3. Policy
Latest version.

It is the policy of the Department that:

(1) the Department shall maintain a Vehicle Direction Station at the main entrance of South Point, and Central Utah Correctional Facility to control access of vehicles and persons entering or leaving institutional property;

(2) the Vehicle Direction Station (VDS) shall be staffed by an armed member of the Security Unit. The VDS shall be staffed from 0600 to 2200 hours daily;

(3) drivers using the entrance road to the VDS shall observe state traffic laws, keep the road free from equipment or vehicles that would obstruct visibility or impede the free flow of traffic, and follow directives of VDS staff charged with maintaining entry facilities;

(4) drivers and pedestrians using the entrance road shall heed directions of VDS staff, to ensure the safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic;

(5) visitors to the prison shall be responsible to read and follow signs posted on the entrance road to the VDS prohibiting contraband from being introduced onto prison property;

(6) since the VDS is the initial control point for controlling contraband from being brought onto prison property, visitors may be subjected to search and seizure procedures as provided by law;

(7) the VDS shall be the control point for limiting entry to institutional facilities to persons whose presence is necessary to the institution and to authorized visitors of inmates;

(8) to prevent escape of inmates, a vehicle exiting South Point or CUCF shall be subject to a search. Persons in exiting vehicles shall be required to provide identification and verification of clearance;

(9) civilians 16 years of age and older, in a vehicle or on foot, shall be required to have picture ID in their possession and to submit it for inspection, before being allowed through the VDS. If they do not have a valid ID:

(a) access to the prison through the VDS shall not be allowed;

(b) they shall not be allowed to wait or park on the entrance road to any institutional facility or on any roads adjacent to an institutional facility; but

(c) they may be allowed to wait in a designated parking area adjacent to the VDS;

(10) civilians under 16 years of age shall not be permitted access unless accompanied by an approved adult;

(11) civilians found in the possession of weapons or contraband at the VDS under circumstances which do not constitute a violation of law shall be required to leave prison property;

(12) peace officers from allied agencies shall either secure their firearms at the VDS, another approved location, or lock their weapons in their vehicle trunk if the vehicle will not penetrate the secure perimeter;

(13) persons who have a valid outstanding warrant may be arrested and either cited or transported, depending on the needs of the UDC and the agency holding the warrant;

(14) persons who have a valid outstanding warrant, if not arrested, may be denied entry to prison property until the warrant has been adjudicated; and

(15) visitors shall comply with all directives of VDS officers.