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Capt. Robert Beemus
Division Commander:
Captain Robert Beemus
 
    The Jail Housing Division is divided into four pods, each with its own function for housing prisoners. The pods are subdivided into eight housing units that can hold up to sixty-four prisoners - with the exception of D Pod which has two prisoner worker units that hold up to eighty prisoners. The design of the housing units enhances supervision, increases perimeter security, and effectively divides prisoners into manageable groups. The management philosophy used in the Jail Housing Division is an innovative concept of prisoner management called Direct Supervision where physical barriers are replaced with behavioral boundaries.

    At the start of each shift officers assigned to the housing units clearly outline their behavioral expectations to the prisoners. Officers are empowered to manage their units using the Principles of Direct Supervision which results in better control of the prisoner poplulation. Officers are able to identify problems before they arise while ensuring an atmosphere that promotes positive interaction. Prisoners are responsible for their qulaity of life while serving their time in jail. They learn skills that they can continue to practice when they return to society.

    Lt. Jim Walter manages the staff in A Pod which consists of four sergeants and 43 officers. Medium-security males are housed in A Pod. They are determined to be a higher risk, requiring closer supervision, than minimum security prisoners. Medium- security prisoners are more restricted in the number of programs and privileges available to them. Prisoners housed in A Pod are also afforded opportunities to earn privileges based on good behavior.

    Lt. Jeremy Sorensen manages B Pod which consists of 5 sergeants and 68 officers. B Pod is the most diverse pod in the jail. There are three units that hold maximum-security male prisoners. Three units hold a range of female prisoners to include minimum, medium and maximum security prisoners. And two units are set aside for administratively segregated prisoners which includes behavior modification, protective custody and special needs cells. B Pod houses the most violent prisoners, some of whom display continual behavior problems. The spend approximantely twent-three hours per day on lock-down status and have the most restricted access to programs and other privileges. Although this pod can be challenging it is still managed under the Direct Supervision philosophy.

    Lt. Rocky Finocchio manages C Pod which consists of 4 sergeants and 43 officers. When a prisoner is booked into jail and it is determined they cannot make bail, they are given jail issued clothing and tranported to C Pod units known as quarantine units. Quarantine units hold prisoners that are waiting to be classified as a minimum, medium or maximum security prisoner. Once a prisoner has been classified, they are moved from the quarantine units. In addition to the quarantine units, C Pod has five minimum security units and a unit that conducts the female Correctional Treatment Services (CATS) program which is a voluntary drug and alcohol program offered through Salt Lake Valley Mental Health.

    The Correctional Training Officer (CTO) program is conducted in C pod. This is a sixteen week course where officers who have just graduated from the corrections academy are partnered up with highly trained veteran officers that work directly with them, meeting their orientation needs, familiarizing them with the corrections environment, and providing instruction on how to run a unit using the principles of direct supervision.

    Lt. Barry Robinson manages D Pod which consists of 5 sergeants and 43 officers. Male prisoners classified as a minimum security risk will be transferred to either C or D Pod. In theory, minimum-security prisoners are given the most liberal access to programs and privileges. Prisoner workers that are responsible for preparing food in the kitchen, alongside the contract employees, and who are tasked with cleaning the interior of the jail are housed in D Pod. D Pod has an entire 64 bed unit for male prisoners that qualify for the CATS program.

    Attracting and retaining the very best officers is the foundation of success in our jail. Through careful planning, comprehensive training, continual self-evaluation, and dedication, the Jails Housing Division provides a safe and secure environment for staff, prisoners and the general public.