NCJ Number
93534
Date Published
Unknown
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This critical review of Alaska's adult correctional system concludes that overcrowding problems exist because neither the Division of Adult Corrections nor any other State agency adequately planned for the impact of changes in the criminal justice system.
Abstract
This evaluation was based on a review of applicable statutes and administrative procedures, site visits to four correctional facilities and probation and parole officers, and interviews with officials from other State agencies and community corrections. More arrests, higher conviction rates, and changes in laws and sentencing patterns all influence the number of persons sent to the Division for incarceration. Although the Division did develop a Master Plan for 1979 that projected an increased need for prison bed space, these projections were underestimated and the plan was not updated as required. Many prisons now are overcrowded: adult prisons in October 1981 averaged 108 more prisoners than the emergency prison capacity and 210 more prisoners than the prison rated capacity. Moreover, inmates are housed in spaces normally kept for special circumstances, and some are kept in Federal facilities in other States. Various estimates indicate that the overcrowding situation will continue. Rehabilitation efforts are limited because the Division must concentrate its efforts on the overcrowding problem. Although a few programs have been added in recent years, they are not used extensively by prisoners. Finally, administrative procedures in prisons are weak because little time is available to train personnel properly and develop good policy and procedures. The result is poor inventory control, trust fund account errors, and errors in prisoners' release dates. The report includes corrective recommendations, tables, and graphs. Comments from the Division of Adult Corrections are appended.