Improving Utah’s Use of the Structured Decision-Making Framework (SDMF)

Overview

CEPP is partnering with the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole to help improve consistency and scoring of the Structured Decision-Making Framework (SDMF)—a research-based tool designed to strengthen the quality, consistency, and transparency of parole release decisions.

The SDMF provides a standardized approach to parole decision-making that aligns professional judgment with validated risk considerations and clearly articulated decision criteria. CEPP’s work in Utah focuses on ensuring that the SDMF is applied with fidelity, used consistently across decision-makers, and supported by strong training, quality assurance, and evaluation processes. This project builds on CEPP’s long-standing relationship with Utah’s parole system and decades of national experience supporting parole boards through evidence-based decision-making reforms.

Our Approach

CEPP helps Utah improve its use of the SDMF through a comprehensive, systems-focused approach grounded in evidence-based practice and collaborative problem-solving. Our work is designed to strengthen consistency, fairness, and transparency in parole decision-making while supporting sustainable capacity within the system.

CEPP works closely with agency leadership, parole board members, and hearing officers to understand how decision-making frameworks operate in practice and how they align with established policy goals and professional standards. Our approach emphasizes shared understanding, practical application, and continuous learning, ensuring that structured frameworks are applied thoughtfully and consistently by decision-makers.

Drawing on national research, comparative experience from other jurisdictions, and CEPP’s long-standing engagement in Utah, we help agencies identify opportunities to enhance decision quality, support workforce confidence, and strengthen internal processes over time. Throughout the engagement, CEPP integrates improvement support with ongoing reflection and refinement to promote durability beyond the life of the project.

The project is led by CEPP, with key contributions from Dr. Tammy Meredith, Principal Research Partner and nationally recognized expert in parole risk assessment and fidelity monitoring. Together, the team brings unmatched expertise in structured decision-making, parole operations, and applied research to support Utah’s goals for high-quality, evidence-based parole decisions.

The Impact

This work will result in actionable insights and recommendations that help the system reinforce structured decision-making principles, monitor performance, and sustain improvements aligned with Utah’s goals.

Specifically, through this project, CEPP will help the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole:

• Improve the consistency and reliability of parole release decisions
• Strengthen alignment between structured tools and professional judgment
• Increase transparency and fairness in decision-making processes
• Build internal capacity for ongoing training, evaluation, and quality assurance
• Establish measurable, replicable practices that support evidence-based parole outcomes