JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The Alaska Criminal Justice Commission on Thursday released recommendations that it says would reduce the state’s average daily prison population and save about $420 million over 10 years.
They include expanded use of citations instead of arrest for lower-level nonviolent offenses; revising drug penalties to focus more severe punishments on higher-level offenders; changes in parole and probation aimed at reducing recidivism; and addressing the needs of crime victims.
Senate Majority Leader John Coghill plans to incorporate the commission’s recommendations into legislation.
Gov. Bill Walker included a $5 million “justice reform’’ line item in his budget proposal as a placeholder. A Walker spokeswoman, Katie Marquette, said by email that the administration was waiting for the commission report and will work with lawmakers to determine the right approach to reduce the prison population in a way that keeps Alaskans safe.
The commission was created by the Legislature and tasked with recommending changes in criminal justice and sentencing practices amid a growing prison population that the report says could soon exceed the number of prison beds.
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