Utah DOC begins on-site dialysis at state prison; inmate says treatment "brought life"

The Utah Department of Corrections and Correctional Health Services (CHS) began offering on-site dialysis at the Utah State Correctional Facility in September 2025, department officials said, allowing incarcerated patients to receive life-sustaining treatment without regular trips to outside hospitals.

Incarcerated individual John Oliva, identified in the narration, described the difference the treatment made for him. "It's a big deal because at one point I was close to dying," Oliva said, adding that he began to eat better, breathe and move more easily and that "probably the the most important part was I began to walk."

An agency official with the Utah Department of Corrections and CHS described the project as an example of interagency cooperation. "I think in Utah we really try to pride ourselves on doing things better and this is a great example of when two state agencies come together and partner for better outcomes and better results," the agency official said. The official added that involving a community partner and coordinating between UDC and CHS "is also a model other states are looking at."

According to the narration, the program operates through a partnership with Lifeline Renal Care. Officials and the narration said on-site dialysis reduces costs and risks associated with transporting patients: officers previously had to drive patients to a local hospital, a process described as lengthy and risky and repeated as often as six times a week to serve all patients.

The narration emphasized efficiency and safety benefits: "On-site dialysis treatments save money in transportation, security, overtime, and medical costs. Not only that, it's far safer and more secure to do the treatments here." Oliva said the treatment is more convenient for patients because they "don't have to go through too much of the security process except for this part," though he added, "but I kind of miss being able to see the outside."

The department framed the program as improving patient health and facility operations and said it could serve as a model for other states. The narration concluded that the program provides "efficiency, safety, easier and healthier for patients, providing hope and a brighter future."