Investigation into officer's death 'protected'

UTAH STATE PRISON — The Utah Department of Corrections said today it will not release the results of an investigation into an officer's murder during an escape attempt by a white supremacist inmate.

The Utah Department of Public Safety's report on the death of corrections officer Stephen Anderson has been reviewed by corrections officials.

"Per standard procedure and in the interest of public safety, officer safety, personnel issues and given the pending criminal prosecution, the (Department of Public Safety) report has been designated 'protected,"' corrections spokesman Jack Ford said in a statement.

In an interview with the Deseret Morning News last week, DPS officials said they had looked at the details of the shooting and corrections policies. They declined to say if any corrections policies were violated that led to Anderson's death.

Corrections officials said they have implemented some policy changes in the aftermath of Anderson's slaying.

"For example, inmate transports require a minimum of two officers; transportation officers have been trained and issued Tasers as an additional tool to manage offenders; requirements for wearing body armor and having communication devices readily available have been strengthened; transportation orders are undergoing double screening prior to transport; and the use of other restraining devices is being incorporated," corrections officials said in their statement.

The Utah Department of Corrections also has said it is looking at video court arraignments for inmates instead of having to transport them and bringing medical staff to the prisons instead of transporting them to clinics.

On June 25, police said Anderson, 60, was escorting inmate Curtis Allgier as he underwent an MRI at the University of Utah's orthopaedic clinic. Prosecutors said Allgier, 27, overpowered Anderson and shot him in the chest and head. Allgier then fled in a stolen SUV, leading police on a wild chase across the Salt Lake Valley that ended at a Redwood Road Arby's restaurant. Prosecutors said Allgier ran inside, put a gun to the head of an employee and pulled the trigger. He missed, and police said a customer fought off Allgier and disarmed him.

The inmate is now facing numerous charges, including aggravated murder, aggravated attempted murder and escape. Prosecutors said they intend to seek the death penalty against Allgier, who is being held without bail in the Salt Lake County Jail.

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