NCJ Number
95257
Date Published
1983
Length
208 pages
Annotation
This document presents the Alaskan correctional system's plan to reduce prison overcrowding, as ordered by the Superior Court in Cleary v. Beirne, along with a 6-month update.
Abstract
Tremendous overcrowding in Alaska's prisons has been caused by many factors, including increased law enforcement, harsher sentences, and inability to construct new spaces for the influx of prisoners. A second major problem has been poor management and instability within the correctional system's upper management levels. Organizational and personnel changes have occurred, but increased expenditures will also be required. This plan anticipates continued but reduced overcrowding during the rest of 1983 and an end to the overpopulation problem by January 1984. The population management plan describes efforts to acquire new correctional space through acquisition of surplus properties and construction of two new facilities. It also reviews plans for pretrial and posttrial diversion programs and management improvements. The latter include a computerized information system, a redesigned classification system, and a new management structure. The plan also addresses placements in Federal prisons and legislation to create a department of corrections, mechanisms for early release and supervision in times of overcrowding, and changes in statutory good-time rules. The 6-month update focuses on an accelerated program for the design of a correctional center prototype and efforts to devise more accurate population projections. The appendixes contain the report of the Task Force on Corrections, the State attorney general's report on corrections, relevant legislation, a consultant's report on population capacities, a report on staffing needs, and a status report on individual projects to relieve overcrowding.