Criminal Justice (Corrections)

HB 172 gives Alaska's Corrections Commissioner new authority to reduce housing costs by consolidating facilities or sending prisoners to out-of-state facilities. It requires that prisoners with over seven years remaining in their sentence, placed out-of-state, be housed separately from non-residents. The Department of Corrections must annually estimate cost savings from these measures and report them, with potential state funding for education programs using those savings. The bill directly affects prison placement decisions, correctional facility operations, and state budget allocations. It focuses on measurable cost reductions rather than policy outcomes.

HB 55 is an appropriations bill that allocates funding for Alaska's integrated comprehensive mental health program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides specific funding amounts for services including the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, community residential centers, substance abuse treatment, and children's mental health programs under the Department of Health, Department of Family and Community Services, and Department of Corrections. The bill directly affects state mental health service providers by covering their operating and capital expenses through designated budget line items. The funding becomes effective July 1, 2025, supporting existing mental health care delivery across the state.

HB 35 restricts electronic device use for prisoners in Alaska state correctional facilities. It prohibits most personal devices like computers, tablets, and VCRs, allowing only approved uses for rehabilitation, education, legal research, or health care. The bill also limits access to certain media (e.g., R-rated movies), specific equipment (like free weights), and restricts food spending comparisons to military personnel. It directly affects incarcerated individuals in state facilities and aims to enhance security by controlling prohibited items and activities. The law became effective November 5, 2025.