The Anchorage Daily News obtained and reviewed Alaska State Troopers investigation reports and medical examiner records, and spoke with family members, advocates and prison officials. Here’s what they found.
"Alaska Department of Corrections"
Alaska Department of Corrections reports 17th death of the year
The number of inmate deaths this year is likely a 20-year high for Alaska, according to U.S. Department of Justice data.
Alaska Corrections reports 16th death of 2022, surpassing previous decade-high number of in-custody deaths
Acting Corrections Commissioner Winkelman said at the press conference the deaths are “not unusual.”
Advocates still hopeful about legislation to give youth sentenced as adults an earlier chance at parole
The bill wouldn’t guarantee parole for those people, but it would give them a chance in front of the Alaska Parole Board.
Juneau Empire reports dozens of people transferred out of Lemon Creek Correctional Center during repairs
About 20% of the people incarcerated at Lemon Creek Correctional Center were transferred from the Juneau prison to facilities in South Central Alaska over the last several months, according to the Juneau Empire.
Administration says Corrections deaths not ‘unusual,’ ACLU says it’s deflecting responsibility
None of the 15 people to die in Alaska Department of Corrections custody in 2022 so far “died as a result of others,” according to Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Acting Corrections Commissioner Jen Winkelman also said the deaths were not “unusual.”
Families, activists question why so many people in Alaska’s jails and prisons have died this year
Normally at this time of year, Nora Brown said her daughter would have finished picking berries for the season and had her silver salmon smoked and put away.
15th person dies this year in Alaska Corrections custody
Two people died in custody last week, one after 13 days in custody and one after seven days.
Two more people die after a short time in Alaska Corrections custody
The number of in-custody deaths so far this year had already surpassed the nine in-custody deaths that took place last year.
Alaska Department of Corrections wants prisoners to have tablets to aid reentry
Alaska Legislature failed to pass bill at session’s close.