When a friend or loved one ends up in prison, it’s a grueling experience for all involved as the inmate and his or her supporters try to adjust to the rules, regulations and restrictions of a life separated by bars. The Utah Prisoner Advocate Network is a non-profit grassroots community outreach organization that aims to make navigating that new life less complicated for inmates’ supporters while also advocating for better conditions inside Utah jails and prisons. We do this primarily through monthly support meetings, open dialogue with guest speakers from the Utah Department of Corrections, legislative advocacy, and a shared network of useful resources. UPAN is also a proud coalition member of People Not Prisons, a group of advocacy organizations working on behalf of people with mental health conditions, people recovering from substance use disorders, and men and women caught up in Utah’s criminal justice system.