prison

The room where the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee holds its meeting sits empty on Tuesday. A presentation about an increase in the number of inmate deaths in state custody was abruptly canceled here. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Republican lawmakers shut down legislative hearing about deaths in Alaska prisons

Former commissioner: “All this will do, is it will continue to inflame passions of advocacy groups.”

 

Goose Creek Correctional Center is seen in fall. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Department of Corrections)

Alaska prison failed to provide adequate dental care to inmates, state investigator finds

Goose Creek Correctional Center has gone years without a hygienist, forcing patients to wait

 

This symbol is inside of the Alaska Department of Corrections office on Sept. 7, 2022, in Douglas. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Police Standards Council turns down plan to lower hiring age of corrections officers — for now

The Alaska Police Standards Council voted down a regulation change that would allow the state to hire corrections officers as young as 18 years old… Continue reading

 

Nome’s Anvil City Square, with a giant gold pan and statues of the “Three Lucky Swedes” whose discovery kicked off the 1899 Gold Rush, is seen on Sept. 5, 2021. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Proposed class-action lawsuit claims Alaska prisons are holding people without criminal charges

A woman from Stebbins has sued the Alaska Department of Corrections, alleging that she and many other people in the state prison system have been… Continue reading

Nome’s Anvil City Square, with a giant gold pan and statues of the “Three Lucky Swedes” whose discovery kicked off the 1899 Gold Rush, is seen on Sept. 5, 2021. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
An inmate stands near a bunk at Lemon Creek Correctional Center on Monday. The prison is at about 45% capacity as it is currently undergoing structural repairs and renovations following “extreme wet weather” last fall that caused instability at certain locations and prompted emergency repairs. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau prison at 45% inmate capacity as structural repairs continue

Transferred inmates expected to return upon project completion slated November 2024, officials say.

An inmate stands near a bunk at Lemon Creek Correctional Center on Monday. The prison is at about 45% capacity as it is currently undergoing structural repairs and renovations following “extreme wet weather” last fall that caused instability at certain locations and prompted emergency repairs. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This symbol is inside of the Alaska Department of Corrections office on Sept. 7, 2022, in Douglas, Alaska. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Department of Corrections seeks to lower hiring age from 21 to 18 years old

Applicant pool has dropped 30% in the last year for correctional officers

This symbol is inside of the Alaska Department of Corrections office on Sept. 7, 2022, in Douglas, Alaska. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)
The entrance to the Anchorage Correctional Complex is seen on Aug. 29, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Anchorage inmate dies after two days in custody in 7th Alaska inmate death this year

An Anchorage inmate died after two days in custody, the Alaska Department of Corrections reported Thursday. It is the seventh inmate death the department has… Continue reading

The entrance to the Anchorage Correctional Complex is seen on Aug. 29, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
This photo shows Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is seeking a contractor for an estimated $5-10 million project to address structural repair and renovation at the Juneau prison. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau prison to undergo multimillion-dollar repair and renovation project

State seeks contractor for work estimated to cost between $5-10 million.

This photo shows Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is seeking a contractor for an estimated $5-10 million project to address structural repair and renovation at the Juneau prison. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This Wednesday, April 26, 2023, photo shows Lemon Creek Correctional Center, where an incarcerated man was found hanging in his cell Saturday. The man, Mark Cook Jr. of Hoonah was later pronounced dead. Cook’s family expressed concerns that his death by suicide was preventable. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This Wednesday, April 26, 2023, photo shows Lemon Creek Correctional Center, where an incarcerated man was found hanging in his cell Saturday. The man, Mark Cook Jr. of Hoonah was later pronounced dead. Cook’s family expressed concerns that his death by suicide was preventable. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Jen Winkelman, commissioner-designee for the Alaska Department of Corrections, discusses staffing and other challenges the prison system is facing with state Sen. Matt Claman, R-Anchorage, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday following her confirmation hearing. The committee voted to send her nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. (Mark Sabbatini /Juneau Empire)

DOC commissioner-designee has nomination advanced

She emphasized staffing improvement and inmate reentry goals.

Jen Winkelman, commissioner-designee for the Alaska Department of Corrections, discusses staffing and other challenges the prison system is facing with state Sen. Matt Claman, R-Anchorage, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday following her confirmation hearing. The committee voted to send her nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. (Mark Sabbatini /Juneau Empire)
Employees of the Alaska Department of Corrections used excessive force, failing to comply with the department’s own use of force policy, according to a report released by the state ombudsman on Monday. (Screenshot)

Report: Excessive force used in Anchorage prison

The ombudsman found the five allegations made by inmates justified, and only partially rectified.

Employees of the Alaska Department of Corrections used excessive force, failing to comply with the department’s own use of force policy, according to a report released by the state ombudsman on Monday. (Screenshot)
Kenneth Manzanares, 42, appears in U.S. District Court in Juneau for a change of plea hearing in this February 2020 photo. A barrier put in place in the public courtroom hallway blocked Manzanares from public view, per the judge’s orders. Photography is not allowed in the courtroom. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Kenneth Manzanares, 42, appears in U.S. District Court in Juneau for a change of plea hearing in this February 2020 photo. A barrier put in place in the public courtroom hallway blocked Manzanares from public view, per the judge’s orders. Photography is not allowed in the courtroom. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
An Alaska Department of Corrections news release announced that all DOC facilities, including Lemon Creek Correctional Center, shown above, will reopen for public visitation on Friday, April 30, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Prisons to reopen public visitation statewide

All visits will be subject to health and safety guidelines.

An Alaska Department of Corrections news release announced that all DOC facilities, including Lemon Creek Correctional Center, shown above, will reopen for public visitation on Friday, April 30, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
An investigation into a complaint from an inmate at Lemon Creek Correctional Center, shown above, exposed issues with the Alaska Department of Corrections Dental Services Program. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Report: Overhaul needed for DOC’s dental program

An investigation into an incident at Lemon Creek Correctional Center exposed shortcomings in the Department of Corrections’ Dental Services Program, according to a report from… Continue reading

An investigation into a complaint from an inmate at Lemon Creek Correctional Center, shown above, exposed issues with the Alaska Department of Corrections Dental Services Program. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
A second Alaska Department of Corrections inmate has died from complications related to the coronavirus at Goose Creek Correctional Center in Wasilla, shown above, as of Nov. 30, 2020. GCCC is currently experiencing a major coronavirus outbreak, with more than 200 confirmed cases amongst the inmates. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Corrections)

State reports 2nd inmate death related to COVID-19

The first, also at Goose Creek Correctional Center, died in late November.

A second Alaska Department of Corrections inmate has died from complications related to the coronavirus at Goose Creek Correctional Center in Wasilla, shown above, as of Nov. 30, 2020. GCCC is currently experiencing a major coronavirus outbreak, with more than 200 confirmed cases amongst the inmates. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Corrections)
Two prisoners in custody at Lemon Creek Correctional Center have tested positive for the coronavirus, Oct. 9, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

2 Lemon Creek inmates among city’s recent cases

The inmates were quarantined upon being admitted per prison policy.

Two prisoners in custody at Lemon Creek Correctional Center have tested positive for the coronavirus, Oct. 9, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Lemon Creek Correctional Center has sailed on without a case of coronavirus since a mid-April outbreak that infected 11 staff. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Prison superintendent talks staying safe as pandemic continues

After a mid-spring outbreak, LCCC hasn’t had any confirmed cases.

Lemon Creek Correctional Center has sailed on without a case of coronavirus since a mid-April outbreak that infected 11 staff. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Lemon Creek Correctional Center had its first confirmed case of the coronavirus on April 10, 2020. There are now 11 staff members and 5 of their family members with confirmed cases. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Union president voices correctional officers’ concerns amid rising cumulative case count

Testing procedures, flow of information and testing, and lack of hazard pay are all worries.

Lemon Creek Correctional Center had its first confirmed case of the coronavirus on April 10, 2020. There are now 11 staff members and 5 of their family members with confirmed cases. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Lemon Creek Correctional Center has its first confirmed case of the coronavirus, April 10, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Lemon Creek Correctional Center has its first confirmed case of the coronavirus, April 10, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)