Recidivism in Alaska

Recidivism data are a tool that can help policymakers determine how effectively a criminal justice system is working to protect the public. Such data can help answer whether the current system is appropriate, whether alternative methods could provide better results, and whether specialized programs such as therapeutic courts can help reduce recidivism rates. The Alaska Judicial Council published two reports in 2007 that sought to address these questions and more. This Comment has combined much of the data from these two reports in order to present them in a unified fashion, providing direct comparisons and contrasts where appropriate. The Council has also been busy at work responding to requests regarding the data originally published, and some of this new information is printed here. Finally, the Council has proposed that alternatives to incarceration be looked at in certain situations as a result of the findings and also has encouraged agencies sponsoring therapeutic courts to do more work in order to show the costs and benefits of that approach

An Assessment of the Division of Juvenile Justice's Use of the Youth Level of Services/ Case Management Inventory

In June, 2010, the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice (Division) invited the Alaska Judicial Council and the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at University of Alaska Anchorage to assist “in understanding how scores on the Division’s assessment instrument for juveniles, the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI), reflect the actual recidivism of juveniles who’ve received services from the Division.” Other states had shown that YLS/CMI scores could be helpful in predicting recidivism among the youths they served, but Alaska had not yet done the comparable research. ISER and the Council agreed that the questions proposed would provide valuable information and help the Division to better address the reasons for youth recidivism.The Division of Juvenile Justice.Executive Summary / Introduction / Part 1: Research background and design / Part 2: Findings / Part 3: Summary and Conclusions / Appendice

Alaska Justice Forum ; Vol. 26, No. 1 (Spring 2009)

The Spring 2009 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum presents articles on Anchorage Wellness Court and other therapeutic jurisprudence and problem-solving courts, justice system operating expenditures, and an update on the work of the Criminal Justice Working Group."Anchorage Wellness Court: Challenges" by Ronald S. Everett / "Sanctions for DUIs under Alaska Statutes and Anchorage Municipal Code / "Justice System Operating Expenditures" / "Criminal Justice Working Group Update" by Teresa White Carns / "Justice Center Appointments" / "Dr. Trostle Retires" / "Community Indicators Atlas" / "2007 Sourcebook" / "Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Alaska Justice Forum ; Vol. 27, No. 2 (Summer 2010)

The Summer 2010 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum features articles on civil legal assistance in Alaska and the U.S., a history and guide to Alaska pro bono programs, a comparison of gun ownership in Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and two pilot programs initiated by the Criminal Justice Working Group."Unmet Legal Needs in the U.S. And Alaska" by Barbara Armstrong / "Correlates of Gun Ownership in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Borough" by Sharon Chamard / "Two Pilot Projects in the Alaska Court System" by Teresa White Carns / "New Faculty" / "Rosay Awarded Contract" / "Pro Bono Programs in Alaska" / "Unmet Legal Needs in the U.S. And Alaska: Web Supplement

Alaska Justice Forum ; Vol. 10, No. 3 (Fall 1993)

The Fall 1993 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum describes several Alaska Judicial Council studies which document the increased attention to rural justice from 1987, when more than 100 villages throughout the state lacked resident justice services beyond the presence of a Village Police Officer (VPSO) or Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO), to 1993, with more than 100 tribal courts and councils providing services to residents of their communities. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that In 1991, 2.2 percent of federal and state prison inmates were reported to have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. Findings from a 1992 assessment review of Alaska criminal history data and Alaska's compliance with the FBI/BJS voluntary reporting standards are described. Statistics from from 1988 to 1992 on murder and nonnegligent manslaughter in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Alaska overall are presented."A Picture of Rural Justice: Alaska Judicial Council Studies" by Teresa W. Carns / "HIV in U.S. Prisons (A BJS Report)" / "Alaska Criminal History Data" / "Homicide in Alaska: 1975–1992