The Senate Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Confirmation Committee on Jan. 25 voted to favorably recommend Jared Garcia to the full Senate for confirmation as executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections.

Garcia, appointed by Gov. Spencer Cox, told the committee he has worked 23 years in law enforcement, including service with the Utah Highway Patrol and the State Bureau of Investigation, and as chief of police in Moab. If confirmed, he said his top priorities will be retaining staff, investing in leadership and training, and continuing efforts to expand treatment, education and reentry programming.

"When I arrived here at the Department of Corrections, we had over 400 vacancies for correctional officers," Garcia said. "I'm now proud to say in a few short months, we'll be one of the only fully staffed, if not the only fully staffed correctional agency in the entire country." He credited leadership teams and legislative support for staffing improvements.

Several current and former law‑enforcement leaders and community advocates spoke in favor of Garcia during the public comment period. Scott Stephenson, chair of the Board of Pardons and Parole, described Garcia as "consistent, thorough, and fair" and said he had supervised Garcia earlier in his career. Brian Redd, the outgoing executive director of the Department of Corrections, participated by phone and endorsed Garcia. Tyler Cotter, chief of investigations at the Utah Department of Public Safety, and Art Brown, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, also offered public testimony of support. Paige Norton, a volunteer prison advocate, relayed an incarcerated advisory committee member's praise for Garcia's engagement with residents.

Senator Owens moved to favorably recommend Garcia; the committee chair called for a voice vote and recorded the motion as carried unanimously. Committee remarks emphasized Garcia's role in stabilizing staffing and building a departmental culture that members said reduced mandatory overtime and turnover.

Garcia described the department's strategic planning and work on reentry and rehabilitation and said, if confirmed, he would continue collaboration with stakeholders, leverage technology, and focus on fiscal responsibility.

The committee's recommendation advances Garcia's nomination to the full Senate for consideration on the confirmation calendar.