A letter to Governor Dunleavy from the ACLU of Alaska demanding answers to deaths in DOC custody.
Dear Governor Dunleavy,
The ACLU of Alaska writes to you with grave concerns over the fact that 15 people have died while in Department of Corrections (DOC) custody in 2022, the highest number of deaths in custody since 2015.
While some deaths in custody may be anticipated, they ought to be rare. But the number of deaths, and details we know about them, are alarming and unusual. Nine of these 15 people have died since August 4, and the four most recently deceased people were unsentenced and no older than 48. The youngest person to die, Kitty Douglas, was 20 years old and in custody for less than a week.
These deaths raise important concerns about the Department of Corrections’ ability to uphold its legal obligations to provide adequate care to those individuals in its custody. There are similar concerns about the due process rights of those who have died, especially given that 10 of the 15 had not been convicted at the time of their death, possibly including several people who weren’t even charged with a crime.
We respectfully request you take urgent action to prevent further loss of life. We request that you immediately call for an independent investigation into these 15 deaths in custody.
We believe such an investigation should, as a baseline:
• Be conducted by a neutral entity to ensure objectivity and avoid any possible conflicts of interest.
• Provide a thorough accounting of all deaths in custody, including causes of death, how each person’s health was assessed, conditions and circumstances of their confinement, and availability and delivery of healthcare prior to death.
• Identify how these deaths in custody may have been prevented, through both individual actions and systemic changes.
• Identify whether language barriers or staff misconduct played a part in any of these deaths in custody.
• Identify whether any of the people who died were eligible for, or had applied for, compassionate release or special medical parole.
• Make recommendations for policy or regulatory changes in order to reduce the number of preventable deaths in DOC custody. These recommendations could apply to the executive branch, DOC, facility administrators, or the legislature.
• Publicly release its findings.
It is important for the broader public, and especially the families and loved ones of those who have died, to trust that the government is holding itself accountable and acting with transparency.
We look forward to your prompt action to ensure each of these deaths is fully investigated so that we can prevent further tragedies from occurring.
Mara Kimmel Executive Director
ACLU, Alaska
Elders need escorts
Hello out there,
I really don’t know what some companies are thinking of when they put ads out, but won’t service Alaska. Alaska happens to be a part of the continental USA, isn’t it? We happen to be the 49th State. I bet anything they do that to Hawaii too. Isn’t our money just as good as all those other states?
Who said we wanted to be a part of the USA anyway? For many years I have said we have enough smart people to become our own Sovereign Nation. Lord knows we have the resources to keep our people fed and warm.
So why don’t any of you listen? You like giving the coffers to China on what the USA owes China? You like them saying you can’t do subsistence? You like them telling you this is how you raise your children? Huh.
I just get sooo disappointed (which is why I quit writing for a while) that NO MATTER what I say doesn’t seem to get heard. Why is that? The CEO’s seem to think I have good ideas, and maybe it’ll come about. Well, I’ve yet to see that.
Jjust like: Oh, the Elders can have escorts, yet I see so many who should have one, and don’t. These Elders are the people who brought you up, taught you the things you know – yet this is how they are treated … Like they mean nothing, like you don’t have time for them after all they did for you. You are supposed to respect your Elders and help them out. Don’t forget to thank them.
Our Elders, especially after 70 years old, should not only have an escort, they should only have to get onto one plane to get to their appointment if possible. There is one plane (Ravn) that comes direct to Unalakleet, yet because my 81 year old Elder has Medicaid, we’ve no choice but to take 2 flights at times.
They might have had surgery, that doesn’t seem to matter. Even though in her cart it says direct flights. That’s the government for you.
Please make sure your children get enough rest for school. Especially that they are fed. They think much better that way. Just think – if you put them to bed by 9 or 9:30 pm, it gives you time to yourself to relax before bed.
Remember, as you are hunting/subsistencing, our Elders cannot do that anymore. That is what they grew up on. Please share your catch with them.
Please take extra clothes and food. It’s getting colder out there now, so please dress warmer. Remember, you can always take clothes off but you can’t put them on if you don’t have them.
MOST IMPORTANT: Tell people where you are going no matter what the time of year. Take care.
Karen Nanouk
Unalakleet, AK
The passing of Ben Stevens
The entire ConocoPhillips family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing on Thursday evening of our friend and colleague, Ben Stevens. Our sympathies are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Ben was a valued leader at ConocoPhillips Alaska and leaves a significant legacy in the state of Alaska. Ben will be deeply missed not only by his family and colleagues, but in the broader Alaska community.
Erec Isaacson, President
ConocoPhillips Alaska
