Reshaping Futures at the Utah Department of Corrections
Salt Lake City, Utah (February 9, 2026) — Davis Technical College (Davis Tech), in partnership with the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC), celebrated 84 graduates at its on-site winter commencement ceremony at UDC.
For nearly 18 years, Davis Tech and UDC have partnered to expand access to hands-on, career-focused technical education for incarcerated individuals—creating opportunity, strengthening confidence, and supporting long-term success after release.
“When returning citizens come home equipped to apply for livable-wage careers, they reenter their communities as contributors, coworkers, and leaders,” said Dan Powers, Davis Tech Director of Rehabilitative Programs. “The impact reaches far beyond the individual by strengthening families, stabilizing communities, and building a more skilled and resilient workforce.”
Graduates from the program consistently describe their education as a turning point—one that reshapes how they view their future and their potential.
“These programs aren't just about teaching skills but giving us a real chance at success,” said student speaker Michael Hansen. “For the first time in my life, I have a vision, a real vision, of what my future can look like. A vision that finally adds the word 'complete' to my identity.”
Another graduate, Lindsay Bringhurst, shared that a few months after she arrived at the correctional facility, someone told her she had two choices: she could sit there and do nothing, proving the judge, the prosecutor, and everyone else right — or she could challenge those negative assumptions by enrolling in school and transforming old habits and behaviors into productive skills.
Bringhurst chose to pursue her education, completing certificates in Web and Graphic Design and Automation Technology that equip her with strong, employable skills for life after release. She also recently learned the term “felon‑friendly,” used to describe employers willing to consider qualified applicants who have a criminal record.
Kaysville City Mayor Tami Tran inspired the graduates by speaking of their future and how they can teach others, “Be proud of the story you have, and your past doesn’t define your future. You have a story to tell. You may not be proud of all the decisions that have brought you here, but you’ve learned from them. You can inspire other people to make better decisions in their lives.”
These students are leaving the program prepared to enter the workforce or continue their education. Davis Tech’s hands-on programs emphasize practical skills, accountability, and a clear path forward.
The impact is measurable. Over the past three years, only 22 percent of Davis Tech UDC graduates have returned to prison, compared to a national recidivism rate of approximately 66 percent, underscoring the effectiveness of education as a tool for long-term success.
“Technical education in prison is one of the most powerful tools we have to break cycles of poverty and recidivism to create lasting change,” quoted Powers. “When individuals earn certificates and skills, they don’t just change their own futures; they create generational change by showing their children and families that college completion and career success are possible.”
“With the help of Davis Technical College and all the resources for recovery,” stated Hansen, “I finally feel that I can be a contributing member of society, an example of what is possible when someone is given a second chance, a third chance, and sometimes more than that.”
With 7,700 students, including over 400 at UDC, last year, Davis Technical College remains committed to expanding access to high-quality technical education and strengthening partnerships that create lasting outcomes for students, employers, and communities across Utah.