I know before I was part of the system, I never gave any thought to the individuals living at the facility near the point of the mountain. I was well into my adult years before I learned the difference between jail and prison. It just wasn’t part of my life. That’s the case for many people until they, or someone they love, become part of the system.

I don’t have the figures for Utah, but in the United States, 1 in every 100 over the age of 18 is locked up. That’s a large number of people, but small compared to the number of friends and family affected by the incarceration of a loved one. An organization called Utah Prisoner Advocate Network (UPAN) was created in 2013 to help lend support to those people. Recently members of this organization visited the prison in Gunnison. I want to show some appreciation for what they do by sharing their narrative.

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UPAN was started by families who had loved ones in the Utah prison system. As they became familiar with the system, they identified several issues. They saw the need for a prisoner advocate. They’re not fighting for us to get stuff like a working television or for us to be treated “fairly” or with kindness; they’re fighting things like corruption, negligence, and exploitation.

UPAN was instrumental in the creation of an “Authorization to Verbally Discuss Health Information (June 2015).” This is where inmates can designate a third party person to speak with “Medical” at the prison about their medical issues. In the past “Medical” could hide behind HIPAA laws while they jerked prisoners around and avoided providing treatment. Prisoners are still being jerked around (as highlighted in my Sept. 25 column), but now there is at least some information available.

Currently UPAN is focusing on the Inmate Placement Program, which sends state inmates to county jails. These facilities are not equipped to house inmates long term. The prison provides programs, schooling, and job opportunities designed to accomplish what is supposed to be the main purpose of the Department of Corrections — to correct, in cast it’s not clear. Most county jails completely ignore that purpose and therefore cheat society. The simply warehouse inmates and collect a profit; it’s fraudulent and wrong.

UPAN is working for a greater good in regards to the prison system. They have created a network comprised of prisoners’ families and friends who can contact each other for help and support when various issues come up. UPAN has given a voice to inmates, families, and an allied society. UPAN has also developed a working relationship with the prison to resolve issues. If you have a loved one in prison, as many “Behind Bars” readers have told me they do, I would suggest checking out UPAN. They can help you navigate the journey of being that affected family member or friend.

The individuals who serve in this organization are all volunteers. They meet monthly at various locations in the Salt Lake Valley and publish a free monthly newsletter. There are no dues, but donations are accepted and are tax deductible.

Brian Wood, formerly of Layton, is an inmate at the Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison. He pleaded guilty to nine felony charges for offenses from 2011 to 2014, including counts of burglary, drug possession and prescription fraud. He could spend up to 25 years in prison, depending on parole hearings.