Legislature(2021 - 2022)BARNES 124
03/02/2021 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview(s): Department of Corrections | |
| Overview(s): Department of Public Safety | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 2, 2021
8:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Sara Hannan, Co-Chair (via teleconference)
Representative Calvin Schrage, Co-Chair
Representative Josiah Patkotak, Vice Chair (via teleconference)
Representative Harriet Drummond
Representative Mike Prax (via teleconference)
Representative Ken McCarty
Representative Kevin McCabe
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW(S): DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
- HEARD
OVERVIEW(S): DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
NANCY DAHLSTROM, Commissioner
Department of Corrections
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave an overview on the Department of
Corrections via a PowerPoint presentation.
APRIL WILKERSON, Director
Administrative Services
Department of Corrections
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the overview of
the Department of Corrections.
KELLY GOODE, Deputy Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Corrections
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Addressed slides and answered questions
during the overview on the Department of Corrections.
KELLY HOWELL, Interim Commissioner
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave an overview of the Department of
Public Safety via a PowerPoint Presentation.
COLONEL BRYAN BARLOW, Director
Alaska State Troopers
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the overview of
the Department of Public Safety.
MAJOR STEVEN ADAMS, Director
Alaska Wildlife Troopers
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the overview of
the Department of Public Safety.
KATHRYN MONFREDA, Director
Division of Statewide Services
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Responded to a question during the overview
of the Department of Public Safety.
ELIZABETH DUNAYSKI, Director
Division of Administrative Services
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Responded to questions during the overview
of the Department of Public Safety.
ROBERT GRIFFITHS, Executive Director
Alaska Police Standards Council
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Responded to questions during the overview
of the Department of Public Safety.
DIANE CASTO, Executive Director
Council of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Department of Public Safety
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered a question during the overview of
the Department of Public Safety.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:03:07 AM
CO-CHAIR CALVIN SCHRAGE called the House Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:03 a.m.
Representatives Drummond, McCarty, McCabe, and Schrage were
present at the call to order. Representatives Patkotak, Prax,
and Hannan arrived (via teleconference) as the meeting was in
progress.
^OVERVIEW(S): Department of Corrections
OVERVIEW(S): Department of Corrections
8:03:55 AM
CO-CHAIR SCHRAGE announced that the first order of business
would be an overview of the Department of Corrections.
8:04:48 AM
NANCY DAHLSTROM, Commissioner, Department of Corrections, gave
an overview of the Department of Corrections via a PowerPoint
presentation [hard copy included in the committee packet]. She
directed attention to slide 2, "Mission and Core Services," the
portion of which read as follows [original punctuation provided,
with some formatting changes]:
Mission: To provide secure confinement, reformative
programs, and a process of supervised community
reintegration to enhance the safety of our communities
Department FY2022 Positions: 2,055
Department FY2022 Budget Request: $398,490.4
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM related that the Department of
Corrections (DOC) was established in March 1984 by Governor Bill
Sheffield, via Executive Order 55. Prior to that, Corrections
was within the Division of Health and Social Services. She said
DOC's mission is "grounded in the state constitution." She
explained that slide 2 illustrates how DOC divides its
responsibilities by [division].
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM turned to slide 3, "Core Services," which
spells out that for which DOC is responsible, and which read as
follows [original punctuation provided, with some formatting
changes]:
Secure Confinement
? 12 in-state correctional facilities
? 15 regional community jails
? Classification and furlough
? Inmate transportation
? Physical health care
? Correctional academy
Supervised Release
? Statewide pretrial, probation and parole offices
? 7 community residential centers
? Electronic monitoring
? Correctional academy
? Parole board
Reformative Programs
? Behavioral health care
? Substance abuse treatment
? Sex offender management
? Education and vocational programs
? Domestic violence intervention programs
? Faith-based services
? Recidivism reduction
? Reentry services
8:07:20 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM showed an "Organizational Chart" on slide
4, which lists the following: The Commissioner's Office, the
Division of Institutions, the Division of Health and
Rehabilitation Services, the Division of Pretrial, Probation and
Parole, the Division of Administrative Services, and the Parole
Board. As noted on slide 2, she said DOC currently is
requesting a total of 2,055 permanent, full-time positions.
8:08:06 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN asked whether the 2,055 positions were static or
a change.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM clarified that she had misspoken and that
2,055 relates to current positions. In response to a follow-up
question regarding additional staff requested, she deferred to
April Wilkerson.
8:09:01 AM
APRIL WILKERSON, Director, Administrative Services, Department
of Corrections, related that DOC is asking for two additional
auditors for the internal controls associated with inmate
banking and property. The positions are being requested with
funding of interagency receipt authority "to be billed back
throughout the department based on efficiencies identified
through these audit activities." She said there is a reduction
in positions; therefore, the net effect in positions would be a
positive one position in the fiscal year 2022 (FY 22) budget.
She explained that the positions associated with procurement
consolidation would be transferred out of the budget.
8:10:10 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM moved on to slide 5, "DOC at a Glance,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided, with some
formatting changes]:
Alaska is one of seven states that operate a unified
correctional system. A state unified system is one in
which there is an integrated state-level prison and
jail system.
DOC booked 31,204 offenders into its facilities in
2020
19,959 were unique offenders
1,452 were non-criminal Title 47 bookings
As of 12/31/2020, DOC was responsible for 10,626
individuals
4,559 offenders in jail or prison
187 offenders on sentenced electronic monitoring
(EM)
243 offenders in community residential centers
(CRCs)
2,729 defendants on pretrial supervision (1,456
on pretrial EM)
2,908 offenders on probation or parole
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM noted that the following states have
unified correctional systems: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware,
Hawai'i, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
8:11:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND, on behalf of new members on the
committee, requested a definition of noncriminal Title 47
bookings.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM explained that sometimes police need to
bring individuals, usually those with mental health issues, to a
holding place while it is decided where the individuals will be
placed.
8:12:34 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN, regarding the Title 47 bookings, asked whether
the 1,452 reflected "unique offenders" and, if so, what the
total number of bookings was out of the [31,024] bookings.
MS. WILKERSON answered that 1,400 reflects total individuals
held under Title 47. She said she would follow-up with
information regarding the number of unique individuals held in
DOC's facilities on multiple occasions.
8:14:01 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM remarked that some of the folks are held
more than once.
CO-CHAIR HANNAN confirmed she had speculated "many of those
mental health holds are not resolved in a single hold." She
maintained that DOC provides the vast majority of the crisis
mental health services in the state.
8:14:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY asked for confirmation that because the
Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) currently cannot accommodate
these individuals with mental health issues, DOC has become "the
next choice to serve these individuals."
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM remarked that previously there had been
circumstances that made API unable to accept individuals;
however, the majority of those situations have been addressed,
and DOC does not "see the Title 47 like we used to." She said
the department could provide further details in the future.
8:15:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE expressed interest in learning about
"frequent fliers" in terms of victims of abuse and inebriates.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM said sometimes people come to DOC under
the influence of drugs or alcohol. She reminded the committee
that DOC is "a downstream agency," meaning that it takes people
sent from court and the Department of Public Safety. She
emphasized that DOC does the best it can with these people, but
it does not determine "who comes in the door." In response to a
request from Representative McCarty, she agreed to provide
demographics regarding the individuals held by DOC.
8:17:32 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM returned to the PowerPoint, to slide 6,
"Division of Institution," and covered the information, which
read as follows [original punctuation provided, with some
formatting changes]:
Institution Director's Office
Inmate Time Accounting
Chaplaincy Program
Prison Rape Elimination Act Oversight
Inmate Grievance Resolution
Security Threat Group
Classification and Furlough
Inmate Classification
Inmate Furlough
Inmate Transportation and Point of Arrest
Inmate Medical Transports
Inmate Housing Transports
K-9 Unit
Point of Arrest
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM stated that the mission of the Division
of Institution is to promote public safety through secure
confinement and provide access to reformative programs, as well
as offender management planning that promotes successful
community reentry. She talked about the K-9 unit. She turned
to slide 7, which provides a map depicting locations of jails
throughout Alaska. Slide 8 she showed to provide a prison
status comparison and give some statistics: In July 2019, the
unsentenced percentage was 47.41 percent; in July 2020, it was
29.64 percent; in February 2021, it was 54.50 percent.
8:19:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE referred to slide 7 and asked about the
Palmer Correctional Center.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM said she anticipates the department will
open the Palmer Correctional in July 2021. She said it is a
large state contract managed by the Department of Transportation
& Public Facilities (DOT&PF). There is a superintendent and
assistant superintendent, and others are being hired. She
expressed her hope that committee members would have the
opportunity to tour the facility.
8:21:25 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN, referring to slide 8, asked for a breakdown
between felony and misdemeanor charges within the unsentenced
population.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM said she would provide that information
for the committee.
8:22:03 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM directed attention to slide 9, which
shows a pie chart depicting "Prison Population by Length of
Stay." In response to Co-Chair Schrage, she clarified it shows
the total length of stay. She then presented slide 10, which
shows a pie chart depicting "Prison Populations by Offenses."
8:23:18 AM
CO-CHAIR SCHRAGE asked for a breakdown as to how the coronavirus
has affected prison population.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM said she would provide that information.
8:24:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked for a definition of two categories
in the pie chart on slide 10: "person" and "federal hold."
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM explained that federal holds are
prisoners in custody of DOC's facilities but legally in custody
of the US. Marshall for various crimes. She noted that Alaska
is the only state in the nation with no federal prison. She
said this is also the area where military members would be held
if necessary. In response to a follow-up question, she
confirmed that DOC is reimbursed by the federal government. She
deferred to Ms. Wilkerson to offer statistics requested by
Representative McCabe.
8:26:01 AM
MS. WILKERSON said DOC conducts an annual cost-of-care report to
calculate a daily rate that is then reimbursed by the federal
entity.
8:26:38 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM moved on to slide [11], "Division of
Health and Rehab Services," which includes the following
information [original punctuation provided]:
Health & Rehabilitation Director's Office
Medical Oversight
Medicaid Assistance
Physical Health Care
Medical
Dental
Behavioral Health Care
Mental Health Services
Substance Abuse
Assessment
Residential Treatment
Institutional Out-Patient Treatment
Sex Offender Management
Polygraph
Institutional Sex Offender Program
Community Sex Offender Program
Domestic Violence Program
Batterer's Intervention Program
Reentry & Recidivism Unit
Offender Reentry
Community Coordination
Education/Vocational Programs
Basic Adult Education
Apprenticeship Training
Vocational Training
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM remarked that DOC is committed to
professionalism, quality, and safety in terms of the care it
provides to inmates. She said many people arrive in an
unhealthy state and leave much healthier. She said all are
treated compassionately and given the help they need. In terms
of reentry, she said DOC wants a successful transition of those
released to their communities, and this is done through
collaborative release planning and individualized case
management planning. Also important is positive family,
community, and peer support. She indicated that the coronavirus
has brought about challenges in this area, but [successful
transition] remains the department's goal.
8:28:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked how valuable the programs offered
are in the success of reintroducing someone into the population.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM said she could get the numbers, but said
there is no magic number or formula. She explained that
sometimes individuals need to try several times, and they have
to want to succeed; sometimes they "don't know another way."
The goal with educational and vocational programs are not just
for success; they also teach basic life skills like showing up
on time, for example.
8:30:05 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN asked for more information regarding
apprenticeship programs and training programs and how many
inmates are able to make use of them.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM said she would have the information sent
to the whole committee. She shared that COVID-19 has been
challenging. For example, she made the decision a year ago to
stop much of the programing, because the department could not
have the volunteers and instructors coming into the facilities
during the pandemic. She said there are a lot of things that
have been on hold, and the department is looking at how to
return to "normal."
CO-CHAIR HANNAN said she is not only interested in the formal
apprenticeships but also separate, independent apprenticeships
and training that may have been available in the past and DOC is
hoping to reoffer.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM replied that she would get that
information. She talked about a good program with iron workers
operated from a trailer that goes to the facilities. Those
running the program make the promise to hire inmates who
complete the program upon their release. She mentioned a
barbershop program with a high success rate.
8:33:23 AM
CO-CHAIR SCHRAGE ventured these programs boost morale in the
prison population. He questioned whether the pause in some of
these programs in response to the pandemic has resulted in a
decrease in morale or an increase in violence or vandalism.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM described ways the department has
counterbalanced the loss of some programs with things like
movies, treat nights, and an increase in the number of free
phone calls allowed, among other things. She lauded the job
superintendents have been doing, as well as medical officers and
staff.
8:35:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY expressed appreciation for the work being
done by DOC during the pandemic. He asked about opportunities
for helping inmates as related to COVID-19.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM spoke about the tiered offerings of the
vaccine and the voluntary nature of receiving the vaccine.
8:37:04 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM returned to the PowerPoint presentation,
to slide 12, "Division of Pretrial, Probation, & Parole," which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Probation and Parole Director's Office
Victim Service Unit
Pretrial Services
Assessments
Basic Supervision
Enhanced Supervision
Statewide Probation and Parole
13 regional locations
Specialty
Probation Accountability with Certain Enforcement
Pre-Sentencing Unit
Interstate Compact
8:38:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY asked whether there is a problem wherein
released inmates from rural villages may be required to stay in
Anchorage because there may not be a parole officer in their
home community.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM said that is not a challenge; DOC is
responsible for getting a person back to his/her "arrest
location." She related there has been a challenge at times in
bringing the person back to a community that has "shut down" due
to COVID-19 mitigation practices. In those circumstances, DOC
has ensured the person has housing and, when appropriate, is
brought back to his/her home community.
8:39:27 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM brought attention the map of Alaska on
slide 13, "Supervised Release," which shows areas with
supervised release, community residential centers, and
electronic monitoring locations. She then asked Kelly Goode to
discuss slides 14 and 15.
8:40:13 AM
KELLY GOODE, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Corrections, addressed slide 14, "Pre-Trial
Services Supervision," which shows the numbers DOC has had. She
pointed out that the numbers have increased because people are
staying longer. She said this chart shows how COVID-19 has
affected the pre-trial service area. She moved on to slide 15,
"Statewide Probation & Parole," which shows the numbers of the
caseloads being covered currently. She said there is a
statutory limit of 75 for caseloads, and the director of the
division works hard to ensure that number is not exceeded.
8:41:35 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM highlighted items listed on slide 16,
"Division of Administrative Services," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided, with some formatting changes]:
Administrative Services
Budget and Finance
Inmate Banking
Auditing and Internal Controls
Payroll and Position Classification
Construction Procurement and Space Liaison
Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device Certification
Departmental Ethics Supervisor
Information Technology
Alaska Corrections Offender Management System
Inmate Law Library
Inmate Technology Support
Research and Records
PFD Eligibility
Research and Reporting
Criminal Justice Information Security
Data Management
Facilities Capital Unit & OSHA Compliance
Institution Renovation, Repairs, and Construction
Management
OSHA Compliance and Oversight
State Facilities Rent
Douglas Island Center Building
Palmer State Office Building
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM turned to slide 17, "Board of Parole,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided, with some
formatting changes]:
Core Service: Supervised Release
Board of Parole
Discretionary Parole
Mandatory Parole
Special Medical Parole
Geriatric Parole
Clemency Investigations
The Board of Parole consists of five members appointed
by the Governor
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM drew attention to slide 18, "Office of
the Commissioner," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided, with some formatting changes]:
Commissioner's Office
Constituent Relations
Compliance Standards
Inmate ADA Grievances
Public Information
Policy and Procedures
Recruitment and Retention
Recruitment Outreach
Applicant Assistance
Employee Backgrounds
Officer Medical Reimbursement
Recruitment Incentive Leave Program
Employee Wellness Program
Training Academy
Basic Officer Training
Field Officer Training
Prisoner Transportation Officer Training
Firearm / Taser Training and Certification
Municipal Officer Academy
8:44:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked for a breakdown on inmate ADA
[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990] grievances.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM said the department would get that
information for Representative McCabe.
8:44:35 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN noted that Alaska has a unified community jail
and prison system, and she asked which facilities are operated
under municipal officers and how the Municipal Academy differs
from other academies.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM deferred to Ms. Wilkerson.
8:45:08 AM
MS. WILKERSON answered that the Municipal Officer Academy is a
training academy provided to local entities that have their own
jails, such as Sand Point, which are outside of the state
prison. In response to a follow-up question as to how closely
aligned the Municipal Officer Academy training is to that of
fully certified correctional officer training, she said she
would get back to Co-Chair Hannan with copies of the curricula,
with differences identified. She added that if a municipal
guard applied for a guard position within DOC, then the
department would "take a look at what training has already been
provided," and the candidate would be required "to go through a
six-week academy with the department."
8:46:59 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM returned to the PowerPoint, to slide 19,
"Goals and Objectives," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided, with some formatting changes]:
Protect the public
Provide safe and secure care and custody
Ensure that incarcerated offenders spend productive
time while in custody
Reentry and community supervision
Reduce recidivism
Work with stakeholders to achieve these goals
8:47:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY asked for details regarding efforts to
reduce recidivism.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM responded there is a three-year lookback
related to recidivism. The department constantly reevaluates
its programs. In response to a follow-up question, she
confirmed there is a matrix used, and she said she could provide
those numbers.
8:49:25 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN said she has had conversations with DOC for a
couple years to try to close the loop related to a component of
reentry: legal identification (ID) once an inmate leaves the
system. She asked for an update.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM deferred to Deputy Commissioner Goode.
8:50:19 AM
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER GOODE assured Co-Chair Hannan that DOC is
working on the issue. She reported that currently 12-14 percent
of inmates released from a facility do not have ID. She said
inmates are given a voucher they can take to any Division of
Motor Vehicles (DMV) office to obtain an ID, which is paid for
by DOC; records show that 50-90 released inmates per month will
turn in a voucher.
CO-CHAIR HANNAN remarked that there has been a proposal to
privatize at least six DMV offices in Alaska. She observed that
in most cases where DMV has a private contractor, there are
additional fees for services. She asked whether DOC would cover
those additional fees.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER GOODE said that is one aspect that is being
considered, and she will share the data when available.
8:53:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY asked what 12-14 percent translates to in
terms of the number of people.
DEPUTY COMM GOODE estimated that 12 equals 350 people based on
the numbers of the last few months; she said she would find out
the number for the last full year.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY recalled taking part in a mock reentry
program conducted in Juneau a year ago. He said, "I did
everything I was supposed to do in the mock thing, and I still
went back to jail." He asked whether there had been any
consideration of inviting the DMV to be part of the exit/reentry
process of inmates such that the released inmates would not have
to go to a DMV office.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM responded that there have been numerous
considerations made, including an idea to create the IDs through
DOC; but DOC does not have that authority. She said she is open
to having a conversation with Representative McCarty; however,
she cautioned that there are many challenges with bringing
someone from the DMV, one of which would be the necessity to
have a DMV staff person in each facility 24/7.
8:57:12 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM continued with the PowerPoint, to slide
20, "Hot Topics," which are: COVID-19, recruitment, and the new
Palmer facility. She said her number one priority is to keep
all inmates and staff safe. The majority of the time DOC has
not only met, but often exceeded, the requirements of the Center
for Disease Control (CDC). She spoke highly of the staff. She
mentioned again the opening of the facility in Palmer.
8:59:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE inquired how many DOC employees are
unionized and what percentage of DOC's budget is allotted to
personnel.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM replied that DOC has five different
unions. She deferred to Ms. Wilkerson to provide percentages.
9:00:17 AM
MS. WILKERSON advised that just over 62 percent of DOC's budget
goes toward personnel costs; it includes salaries, benefits, and
"employer costs." In response to a follow-up question, she said
over 95 percent of DOC's staff are unionized; fewer than one
dozen positions are exempt, and those would be, for example,
medical positions and executive staff. The union positions
exist within the five bargaining units referenced by
Commissioner Dahlstrom.
9:01:35 AM
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM directed attention to slide 21, "COVID-19
Impacts," which read as follows [original punctuation provided,
with some formatting changes]:
OPERATIONAL IMPACTS
Court System Changes
Increase in pretrial release
Increase in presentence population
Attorney-client visit
Suspended visitation and certain programming
Free phone calls for inmates
BUDGETARY IMPACTS
GF lapses associated with suspended programming
Federal funds offset:
$617,898 in COVID-19 leave and overtime related
expenditures
$479,896 in COVID-19 related expenditures
Personal Protective Equipment, Cleaning and
Medical Supplies, Employee Fit Testing,
Employee Housing, Inmate Charters and
Housing, Inmate Stipends Related to
Increased Inmate Job Workers, Increased
Cleaning at All Institutions
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM offered additional information regarding
the attorney-client visits. She said a "poly-comm" system is
used and has resulted in more attorney-client time.
MS. WILKERSON talked about the budgetary impacts. She said both
those figures [shown in slide 21] were funds received via
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) from the CARES
Act allocation to DOC. She said there will be additional
offsetting expenditures in the FY 21 budget.
COMMISSIONER DAHLSTROM added that DOC did not receive any CARES
Act money directly from the federal government; the money came
from DHSS. She then showed slide 22 to indicate the overview
was completed.
9:05:23 AM
CO-CHAIR SCHRAGE ascertained there were no further questions
from the committee.
9:05:37 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 9:05 a.m.
^OVERVIEW(S): Department of Public Safety
OVERVIEW(S): Department of Public Safety
9:06:00 AM
CO-CHAIR SCHRAGE announced that the final order of business
would be an overview of the Department of Public Safety.
9:06:10 AM
KELLY HOWELL, Interim Commissioner, Department of Public Safety,
said she would give an overview of the Department of Public
Safety (DPS) via PowerPoint [hardcopy included in the committee
packet], with questions deferred to area experts within the
department. She directed attention to slide 2, "Department of
Public Safety," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Our Mission
To ensure public safety and enforce fish and wildlife
laws
Our Core Services
? Law enforcement patrol and investigations
? Rural law enforcement services
? Domestic violence and sexual assault programs
? Statewide public safety programs
? Resource protection
? Highway safety
9:08:42 AM
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL showed slide 3, "Statewide Impact,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
DPS is Alaska's primary statewide law enforcement
agency
Direct support to other agencies
? Investigative assistance
? Search and rescue
? Training
? Criminal justice databases (e.g. APSIN)
? Crime lab
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL explained that assistance is given
to other departments in the state, municipal, and federal
governments. She said training is for law enforcement, fire
service professionals, and criminal justice agencies. She
defined the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) as
"the state central repository of criminal history record
information." She said the state has just one accredited, full-
service crime lab.
9:09:43 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN asked whether there was any engagement between
DPS and [the Alaska Wing of the] Civil Air Patrol during search
and rescue missions "this year."
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL deferred to Colonel Bryan Barlow but
noted that the department does work with multiple agencies in
performing search and rescue missions.
9:11:19 AM
COLONEL BRYAN BARLOW, Director, Division of Alaska State
Troopers, told Co-Chair Hannan he could gather statistics
regarding the number of rescue operations. Notwithstanding
that, he said in general the Division of Alaska State Troopers
(AST) has worked with the Alaska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol on
search and rescue operations over the last year, as well as with
other groups across Alaska. He shared that AST shares hangar
space with the Alaska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.
9:12:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked about funding of the Alaska Wing of
the Civil Air Patrol.
COLONEL BARLOW stated that AST does not fund the operations of
the Alaska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol; however, in past years
there have been "pass-through funds" designed to assist the
Alaska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol in its operations.
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL, in response to a follow-up
question, explained that up until the last fiscal year, DPS had
a budget component for the Alaska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol;
it was funded through state general funds, and it was the
state's contribution of the mission of the Alaska Wing of the
Civil Air Patrol.
9:14:26 AM
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL returned to the PowerPoint, to slide
4, which depicts an organizational chart. She said there is one
deputy commission position in DPS, and the following five
divisions: the Division of Fire and Life Safety, the Division
of Statewide Services, the Division of Alaska State Troopers
(AST), and the Division of Wildlife Troopers (AWT), and the
Division of Administrative Services. The Crime Lab, while not
its own division, serves a unique and specialized function, she
remarked. She listed the three councils housed within DPS: the
Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC), the Fire Standards
Council (FSC), and the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault (CDVSA). She stated that in the governor's FY 22
budget, there is a proposal to transfer the Violent Crimes
Compensation Board from the Department of Administration to DPS,
where it was housed many years ago. This would be accomplished
under Executive Order (EO) 120. Currently DPS has budgetary
authority that was transferred in the last fiscal year; the
statutory authority will be transferred via EO 120. She
explained the transfer was not accomplished last year because of
the abbreviated [in response to concerns about the pandemic]
legislative session.
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL related that DPS comprises 871
permanent, full-time positions, about the fifth largest in terms
of permanent, full-time positions out of the 15 executive branch
agencies. She noted that of the 871, approximately 419 are
state trooper positions within the two trooper divisions. In
response to Representative McCabe, she clarified that 419 is the
number of authorized positions; approximately 365 are currently
filled, and training is happening currently at the Public Safety
Academy in Sitka, Alaska.
9:17:20 AM
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL moved on to slide 5, "Division of
Alaska State Troopers," which shows a photo of Colonel Bryan
Barlow, Director. Slide 5 offers the division breakdown, as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Detachments
Bureau of Highway Patrol
Search and Rescue
Statewide Drug and Alcohol Enforcement
Alaska Bureau of Investigation
Prisoner Transport
Judicial Services
Operations Support Bureau
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL noted that the mission of the
Division of Alaska State Troopers is to preserve the peace,
enforce the law, prevent and detect crime, and protect life and
property. She said the Bureau of Highway Patrol supports
highway safety campaigns, and Search and Rescue is within AST.
She said the Alaska Bureau of Investigation investigates major
crimes, as well as provides investigative assistance to other
agencies. She stated that the court services officers, within
Judicial Services, transport prisoners throughout the state,
provide security for the court system, "protect the judiciary,"
and provide timely service of legal process. She said the
Operations Support Bureau includes the department's Aircraft
Section, the academy in Sitka, an advanced training unit, the
domestic violence and sexual assault training unit, and a
recruitment unit.
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL displayed slide 6, which shows a map
delineating the four geographic detachments and the current
locations of AWT and AST posts, some of which are combined.
9:20:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked for a description of the zones on
the map, in particular the zone named "B."
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL deferred the question to Colonel
Barlow.
9:21:19 AM
COLONEL BARLOW described the four geographic detachments: the
"A" detachment, shown in red, includes Southeast Alaska and the
Kenai Peninsula; the "B" detachment, [shown in medium blue],
includes Southcentral Alaska and extending east to the Canadian
border; the "C" detachment, [shown in light blue], includes all
Western Alaska; and the "D" detachment, [shown in yellow],
includes mainly Interior Alaska. Additionally, the area in
white at the top of the map depicts the North Slope Borough,
which has its own police department.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND pointed out that the Municipality of
Anchorage does not get AST service, and she observed that that
is not indicated on the map, where Anchorage appears to be part
of the "A" detachment.
COLONEL BARLOW confirmed it is true that AST does not provide
primary law enforcement services within the Municipality of
Anchorage. That is covered by the Anchorage Police Department.
He said some areas of the division that are involved in the
Municipality of Anchorage include the Alaska Bureau of
Investigation, the Statewide Drug and Alcohol Enforcement unit,
and court services officers. He said sometimes the division
works on its own and sometimes in cooperation with the Anchorage
Police Department. He explained that the purpose of the map is
to depict the division's primary geographic areas in the state.
9:24:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked for more details regarding the area
of Anchorage.
COLONEL BARLOW described a campus of buildings along Tudor Road,
including DPS headquarters, the Alaska Bureau of Investigation,
and the Anchorage post of AWT. He offered a brief history of a
more robust presence of AST in Anchorage before expansion of the
municipality. He noted that the Crime Lab is just west of the
Tudor Road campus. In response to a follow-up question, he
clarified the areas in which the Anchorage Police Department and
AST are primary law enforcers.
9:28:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY said he is from the Chugiak/Eagle River
area He indicated that the president of the Birchwood Airport
had been told the facility is not part of APD's jurisdiction but
rather within AST's jurisdiction. He asked for more details
regarding "Anchorage outreach."
COLONEL BARLOW reiterated that while AST does conduct
investigative efforts in the Municipality of Anchorage,
generally the border is the municipality. He mentioned the area
to the north at the Matanuska River and south to the bottom of
Turnagain Pass and said that "the primary law enforcement within
those areas is the Anchorage Police Department." In response to
a follow-up question, he said it is not unique to Anchorage; AST
routinely works with municipalities.
9:32:35 AM
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL directed attention to slide 7,
"Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers," which is overseen by
Major Steve Adams, Deputy Director. She said the mission of the
division is to protect Alaska's natural resources through
wildlife enforcement. The division performs statewide patrol of
commercial big game services, commercial fisheries, sport fish,
and sport fish guiding, game, and trapping, as well as providing
education regarding boating safety and safeguarding habitat
through reduction of watershed damage and noncompliance of
environmental permits. As shown on slide 8, she noted that AWT
is composed of posts in a northern and a southern detachment.
The detachments provide land, air, and water patrol enforcement
and search and rescue throughout the state. The troopers are
also headquartered in Anchorage. She listed the major
components of the division [listed on slide 7]: a Wildlife
Investigations Unit and a Marine Section.
9:33:52 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN remarked that in 2020, in the City of Haines, a
wildlife trooper had to kill 36 grizzly bears in defense of life
and property; the typical number annually is 12. She said
people in Haines were attacked by grizzlies, and she compared
the situation to a horror film. She said she had contacted the
commission of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) and
was not satisfied with the department's view that "it was just a
human-caused interaction." She asked whether there is a "pre-op
analysis" available to wildlife troopers to interact with
"managed agencies of game."
9:35:51 AM
MAJOR STEVEN ADAMS, Deputy Director, Alaska Wildlife Troopers,
Department of Public Safety, acknowledged that [2020 had been]
an unprecedented year for human/bear encounters in Haines, many
of which were addressed by the one AWT officer stationed there,
and many of which were addressed by the Haines Borough Police
Department. He offered his understanding that everybody,
including a local ADF&G biologist, worked well together to deal
with the issue. He said he thinks ADF&G was correct in that
much of the bear/human interactions were human caused, for
example, leaving trash accessible. He said he could provide an
analysis of how many bears there had been and what the cause of
human interaction was.
CO-CHAIR HANNAN clarified her question is whether the wildlife
trooper has the ability to participate in management discussions
with ADF&G in order to avoid a repeat situation in 2021.
MAJOR ADAMS responded that it is common for all of AWT's
troopers to work closely with ADF&G's local wildlife biologists
to investigate, as well as to educate the public.
9:39:11 AM
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL returned to the PowerPoint, to slide
9, "Division of Fire and Life Safety." She said the division's
mission is "to prevent the loss of life and property from fire
and explosion." She said the Richard Boothby is the director of
the division and also the state fire marshal. She related that
deputy fire marshals aid in the enforcement of all laws related
to fire prevention and protection and conduct investigations of
fires resulting from crime. The division has jurisdiction for
fire code enforcement and building review authority, except in
communities that have received deferrals. She said the Training
and Education Bureau provides fire training and public fire
education services to the Alaska service professionals, as well
as to the public. Within that bureau is the Office of Rural
Fire Protection, which specializes in training and response
preparedness services to firefighters and emergency responders
in rural Alaska. She noted that within the division, the Alaska
Fire Standards Council established fire standards for fire
services personnel and curriculum requirements for the
certification of training programs in support of legislative
findings under AS 18.70.320.
MS. HOWELL moved on to slide 10, "Division of Statewide
Services." She said the division provides technical and
specialized services to other divisions of the department, local
and state law enforcement, and the public. She said the
division director is Kathryn Monfreda. The division comprises
the Criminal Records and Identification Bureau and the
Information Technology Section. Ms. Howell stated that the
division covers many of the department's statutory
responsibilities, which include maintaining centralized
information pertaining to state criminal history records through
the Safety Information network; finger prints via Alaska
Biometric Identification System; and administering the state Sex
Offender and Child Kidnapper Registration program. Further, the
division administers the state Concealed Handgun Permit program;
conducts Security Guard/Process Server Licensing; and collects,
tabulates, reports, and publishes the uniform crime data
submitted by local law enforcement agencies, then submitting the
information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for
inclusion in national crime statistic data.
9:43:03 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN offered her understanding that Alaska no longer
required concealed handgun permits. She requested
clarification.
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL confirmed Alaska does not a require
concealed handgun permit; however, it does run the program to
provide reciprocity with other states that recognize that
permit.
9:44:12 AM
KATHRYN MONFREDA, Director, Division of Statewide Services,
Department of Public Safety, proffered that another reason to
maintain the concealed handgun permit program is to allow for
those who wish to carry a concealed weapon in a federal park.
9:44:51 AM
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL noted that the Information
Technology Section of the division provides programming support
for all the criminal justice systems administered by DPS. She
then directed attention to slide 11, "Scientific Crime Detection
Lab." She said David Kanaris oversees the lab, which provides:
statewide forensic services for law enforcement agencies; expert
court testimony on lab results; training to law enforcement
officer on proper collection of evidence and preservation
techniques; and administration of the statewide breath alcohol
testing program.
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL showed slide 12, "Division of
Administrative Services." The division is responsible for
providing centralized administrative support for DPS in the
following areas: the Finance Section; the Budget Section;
Grants Management; Procurement; and Supply Management. She said
the division is unique in that it also manages the rural trooper
housing program. She said DPS currently has 60 housing units
located in 18 rural communities where housing is scarce. Having
good housing available for troopers and their families is
critical in terms of retention of staff recruited.
9:47:46 AM
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL moved on to slide 13, "Village
Public Safety Officer Program," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided, with some formatting changes]:
$11,905.4 awarded
10 Grantees
54 VPSO as of 2/16/2021
49 Villages served (5 communities have 2 VPSOs)
Grants administration v operational oversight
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL said providing public safety
services at the local level can be accomplished by providing
grant funding to nonprofit regional corporations, Alaska Native
organizations, and municipalities to hire, train, and supervise
village public safety officers (VPSOs) within their regions.
She talked about the program oversight being provided by
individual detachments within each region rather than a
centralized oversight from Anchorage; the Grants Administration
Unit within the Division of Administrative Services administers
the grant. Separating the financial component from the
operational support has led to improvement in how the program is
managed across the state, she said.
9:49:50 AM
CO-CHAIR SCHRAGE asked whether there were regional corporations
"or otherwise" that put in grant applications.
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL offered her understanding that the
department has not declined any eligible organization that has
submitted an application. She deferred to Elizabeth Dunayski
for further comment.
9:50:53 AM
ELIZABETH DUNAYSKI, Director, Division of Administrative
Services, Department of Public Safety, said the division has
dealt with the 10 grantees for a number of years and has not
received additional applications for the program. She said she
understood there was legislation currently before the
legislature that could "expand that." In response to a follow-
up question from Co-Chair Schrage, she confirmed that all the
VPSOs are "employees of the grantees."
9:51:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND noted that the total grant cost averages
over $220,000 per VPSO. She said she knows VPSOs are not paid
"anywhere near that amount"; therefore, she asked, "So, where is
all this money going?" She said this concerns her, especially
since there are not enough VPSOs serving communities.
MS. DUNAYSKI explained that in addition to employing VPSOs, the
money is spent on equipping them with vehicles, snow machines,
equipment, computers, all of which are costly. The funds go
also to employing a coordinator for each region. In response to
a follow-up comment made by Representative Drummond, she said
the division could get into more detail in a future presentation
if the committee were to outline what information it would like
to be given.
9:53:53 AM
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL moved on to slide 14, "Alaska Police
Standards Council." She said the director is Bob Griffith. The
Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) is established under
statute and comprises 13 members, 11 of which are appointed by
the governor. She said the responsibilities of APSC are to:
determine certification eligibility for police officers,
probation and parole officers, and correction officers; issue
appropriate levels of certification to those who qualify; make
the decision whether to revoke certification in cases of
misconduct by an officer; monitor compliance with current
regulation and legislation; develop, monitor, and revise law
enforcement training and training requirements; assist police
academies and departments for academy training; fund specialized
advanced training for departments; and provide smaller agencies
across Alaska with assistance in obtaining pre-employment
polygraph and psychological testing for officers.
9:55:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked for information regarding the makeup
of APSC. Specifically, he questioned whether public input would
be forthcoming from the public positions on the council when he
knows those positions are filled by retired police officers.
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL deferred to Mr. Griffiths.
9:56:19 AM
ROBERT GRIFFITHS, Executive Director, Alaska Police Standards
Council, Department of Public Safety, said while it is true that
the majority of the four public seats are filled with people
with prior law enforcement experience, those members are
civilians, who were appointed after expressing interest in
representing the profession and the public on the council. He
noted that there is a longstanding member who is a victims'
advocate; she serves as co-chair on the council.
9:57:21 AM
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL directed attention to slide 15,
"Council of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault," and she said
the executive director is Diane Casto. She relayed that the
council comprises nine members, four of which are public members
appointed by the governor, and one of which must be from a rural
area. She said the purpose of the council is to provide
planning and coordination of services to victims of domestic
violence or sexual assault or to their families, or to
perpetrators of domestic violence or sexual assault, and to
provide for crisis intervention and prevention programs. She
said the council provides a tremendous service to Alaska and
survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She noted
that the functions of the council are listed on the slide, as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
?Fund and support shelters, child advocacy centers,
and batterers' intervention programs
?Data collection for domestic violence & sexual
assault in Alaska
?Technical assistance, best practices, and training in
DVSA response and services
9:58:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY expressed gratitude for the council. He
asked about the numbers, in terms of domestic violence and
sexual assault.
9:59:25 AM
DIANE CASTO, Executive Director, Council of Domestic Violence
and Sexual Assault, Department of Public Safety, said part of
the problem in some of the available data is "we compare apples
to oranges and not always apples to apples." She gave an
example of the sex offense felony report, which has reported
cases of sexual assault, "not actual numbers." She said based
on the data that is available, the numbers "have not changed too
much." She talked about the interest in looking at the numbers
during the pandemic; there have been increases in the numbers
reported on the national level. She said there are a variety of
ways and angles to look at data, and she said she would be happy
to share them with [Representative McCarty].
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY said he is interested in seeing the data.
MS. CASTO mentioned annual reports and said the council is
working on the fiscal year 2020 (FY 20) report. The reports
include service data. She remarked that every five years the
Alaska Victimization survey is conducted in partnership with
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Justice Center; the 2020
numbers will be available late spring to early summer [2021].
She highlighted that the reports contain direct feedback from
victims. She said she would be sure to get this information to
the committee.
10:03:04 AM
INTERIM COMMISSIONER HOWELL concluded the presentation.
CO-CHAIR SCHRAGE thanked everyone.
10:03:35 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 10:04 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| (H)CRA DPS Overview 3.2 Distributed.pdf |
HCRA 3/2/2021 8:00:00 AM |
DPS Overview |
| H-Community and Regional Affairs - Corrections Overview 03-02-2021.pdf |
HCRA 3/2/2021 8:00:00 AM |
Department Overview |