UTAH — The Utah Department of Corrections says it’s cracking down on parolees on the run, and Friday they announced 12 arrests from the last 24 hours.
The 12 fugitives arrested were returned to jail, and an additional 12 people who were residents at community correctional centers were taken back to jail or prison due to drug use or other non-compliant behaviors.
One of the 12 fugitives was arrested Friday morning during a traffic stop.
Police said 25-year-old Chelsie Sitterud recently walked away from a Salt Lake City halfway house.
Price police said she and her passenger, Sasha Fowler, each had outstanding warrants. Officers said they found drugs, weapons, cash and stolen credit cards in the vehicle the pair was traveling in. Both women were booked into the Carbon County Jail.
The arrest or relocation of the offenders comes as the Utah Department of Corrections has pledged to correct issues with their systems that were brought to light after several offenders left halfway houses and went on to allegedly commit violent crimes.
The director of Adult Probation and Parole has resigned, and police in Salt Lake City have created a new task force specifically to address the issue and track downthose who abscond from treatment centers.
