The Alaska State Prison System is administered by the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC). It encompasses several correctional facilities across the state, including both minimum and maximum-security prisons, pretrial facilities, and community residential centers.
Alaska Prisoner Programs
The prison system offers various programs aimed at rehabilitation and reducing recidivism, including:
- Educational and vocational training
- Substance abuse treatment programs
- Mental health services
- Cultural and spiritual programs
Pros & Cons of Alaska’s Prison System
Pros From an Inmate’s Perspective
- Rehabilitative Programs: The focus on rehabilitation through educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs helps inmates prepare for reintegration into society.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Programs that respect and incorporate Native Alaskan cultural elements can be particularly beneficial for indigenous inmates, promoting a sense of identity and community.
- Mental Health Support: The availability of mental health services is a significant advantage, considering the high prevalence of mental health issues among the inmate population.
Cons From an Inmate’s Perspective
- Remote Locations: Many facilities are in remote areas, which can isolate inmates from their families and complicate visits, potentially affecting their emotional and psychological well-being.
- Overcrowding and Underfunding: Like many prison systems, Alaska’s can suffer from overcrowding and underfunding, which may impact the quality of life, safety, and access to programs.
- Limited Resources: The geographic and economic challenges of Alaska can lead to limited resources and staff shortages, affecting the consistency and quality of rehabilitation programs.
- Harsh Conditions: The physical environment in Alaska can be extremely harsh, particularly in winter, adding to the challenges faced by inmates.
Alaska State Prison Strategies And Reforms to Combat Overcrowding and Underfunding
Overcrowding Strategies and Reforms
- Alternative Sentencing and Diversion Programs: Alaska has looked toward alternative sentencing options and diversion programs to reduce the number of people entering the prison system. These include drug courts, mental health courts, and other therapeutic court systems that focus on rehabilitation over incarceration for individuals struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues.
- Probation and Parole: Enhancing probation and parole services to allow for more effective supervision in the community rather than in custody. This includes electronic monitoring and other forms of community supervision.
- Sentencing Reform: There have been discussions and some legislative efforts aimed at sentencing reform, which seek to revise sentencing laws and reduce mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent offenses.
Funding Strategies and Reforms
- Budget Advocacy: The Alaska Department of Corrections often engages in advocacy efforts to secure more funding from the state legislature. This includes requesting budgets that allow for the maintenance and improvement of facilities, as well as for hiring additional staff.
- Federal Grants and Funding: Alaska utilizes federal grants to supplement state funding for specific programs, especially those aimed at substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and educational/vocational training.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Engaging in partnerships with private organizations and non-profits to provide services such as job training, education, and re-entry programs. These partnerships can help alleviate financial burdens on the state while enhancing service delivery.
State Court Prison Programs
These state court programs often focus on rehabilitation and are designed to provide individuals with the support they need to avoid reoffending:
- Therapeutic Courts: Alaska operates several types of therapeutic courts that target specific populations.
- Adult Drug Courts: These courts focus on individuals with substance abuse problems who are involved in the criminal justice system. The program includes intensive treatment, regular court appearances, drug testing, and supervision.
- Mental Health Courts: Designed for offenders who have significant mental health issues, these courts provide a blend of treatment and accountability, working to keep individuals out of prison and in appropriate mental health care regimens.
- Veterans Courts: Catering specifically to veterans, these courts address the unique issues faced by former military personnel, including PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. The focus is on rehabilitation and leveraging the support structures available to veterans.
- Anchorage Wellness Court: This is a specialized court in Anchorage that deals with repeat DUI offenders. The program is rigorous and includes comprehensive supervision, frequent testing for substance use, treatment programs, and regular court appearances. The goal is to address the root causes of the individual’s behavior to prevent future offenses.
- Youth Courts: Youth courts are an alternative approach for handling juvenile offenders. In these courts, young people are judged by their peers for minor crimes and misdemeanors. The focus is on learning and rehabilitation rather than punishment. Penalties often include community service, restitution, apologies, and participation in workshops or educational programs.
Video News on Dangerous Alaska Prisons
Prisons Showcased In Video
- SPRING CREEK CORRECTIONAL CENTER
- WILDWOOD CORRECTIONAL COMPLEX
- GOOSE CREEK CORRECTIONAL CENTER
- ANVIL MOUNTAIN CORRECTIONAL CENTER
Locating A Prisoner In Alaska
Alaska Department of Corrections
Alaska Prison Advocacy Groups
ACLU of Alaska Focuses on a broad range of civil liberties issues including inmate rights and criminal justice reform.
Alaska Innocence Project Works to identify and exonerate individuals who have been wrongfully convicted in the state of Alaska, and to reform the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
Alaska Justice Information Center Though not strictly an advocacy group, it conducts research and provides data that can be crucial for policymaking and advocacy related to criminal justice issues in Alaska.
Alaska Native Justice Center Focuses on enhancing the safety of Alaska Native people, providing legal advocacy, and promoting restorative justice.
ALASKA STATE PRISONS
Anchorage Correctional Complex
Anchorage Correctional Complex
1400 East 4th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Telephone: (907) 269-4100
Inmate Mailing Address:
For the East building:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Anchorage Correctional Complex
1400 East 4th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
For the West building:
Anchorage Correctional Complex
1300 East 4th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Anvil Mountain Correctional Center
Anvil Mountain Correctional Center
1810 Center Creek Rd.
Nome, Alaska 99762
Telephone: (907) 443-2241
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Anvil Mountain Correctional Center
PO Box 730
Nome, Alaska 99762
Fairbanks Correctional Center
Fairbanks Correctional Center
1931 Egan Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Telephone: (907) 458-6700
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Fairbanks Correctional Center
1931 Egan Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Goose Creek Correctional Center
Goose Creek Correctional Center
22301 West Alsop Road
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
Telephone: (907) 864-8100
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Inmate’s Box Number
Goose Creek Correctional Center
P.O. 877790
Wasilla, AK 99687
Hiland Mountain Correctional Center
Hiland Mountain Correctional Center
9101 Hesterberg Road
Eagle River, Alaska 99577
Telephone: (907) 694-9511
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Hiland Mountain Correctional Center
9101 Hesterberg Road
Eagle River, Alaska 99577
Ketchikan Correctional Center
Ketchikan Correctional Center
1201 Schoenbar Rd
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901-6270
Telephone: (907) 228-7350
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Ketchikan Correctional Center
1201 Schoenbar Rd
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901-6270
Lemon Creek Correctional Center
Lemon Creek Correctional Center
2000 Lemon Creek Road
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-6200
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Lemon Creek Correctional Center
2000 Lemon Creek Road
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Mat-Su Pretrial
Mat-Su Pretrial
339 East Dogwood Road
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Telephone: (907) 745-0943
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Mat-Su Pretrial
339 East Dogwood Road
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Palmer Correctional Center
Palmer Correctional Center
Mile 58 of the Glenn Highway
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Telephone: (907) 745-5054
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Palmer Correctional Center
P.O. Box 919
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Pt. MacKenzie Correctional Farm
Pt. MacKenzie Correctional Farm
Guernsey Rd
Point MacKenzie, AK 99687
Telephone: (907) 376-2976
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Point Mackenzie Correctional Farm
P.O. Box 877730
Wasilla, Alaska 99687
Spring Creek Correctional Center
Spring Creek Correctional Center
3600 Bette Cato Avenue
Seward, Alaska 99664
Telephone: (907) 224-8200
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Spring Creek Correctional Center
3600 Bette Cato Avenue
Seward, Alaska 99664
Wildwood Correctional Complex
Wildwood Correctional Complex
10 Chugach Avenue
Kenai, AK 99611
Telephone: (907) 260-7200
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Wildwood Correctional Center
10 Chugach Avenue
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Inmate Name, ID Number
Wildwood Pre-Trial Facility
5 Chugach Avenue
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Inmate Name, ID Number
Wildwood Transitional Program
11 Chugach Avenue
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center
Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center
1000 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway
Bethel, Alaska 99559
Telephone: (907) 543-5245
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center
PO Box 400
Bethel, Alaska 99559
