News & Commentary

Alaska’s Constitution calls for incarceration to be punitive and rehabilitative for Alaskans who commit crimes, no matter their age. Life without parole, or functional life sentences, does not allow the juvenile to seek rehabilitation in a meaningful way.

The following was published as an opinion editorial by Jordyn Chabotte, Mat-Su Organizer, in the Mat-Su Frontiersman on September 24, 2024. 

Alaskans who are pre-trial, completing their sentence for non-felonies, or are formerly incarcerated have the right to vote.

Joy and visibility show that queer and trans existence is not dependent on the swaying of politics; we exist, we have always existed, and regardless of attempts to legislate us out of the public eye, we will continue existing. 

Alaskans are headed back to school in the next few weeks, and we know that every student has the right to learn in an environment where they feel valued and can think for themselves.

July is Disability Pride Month, and today, July 26th, is Disability Pride Day when we commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. According to the CDC, 29%, or 1 in 3 adults in Alaska, are affected by a disability.

Whether you’re Indigenous to Alaska and have generations of history in this place or have been in Alaska for a short time, you know that the success of people here is because of our commitment to each other and to be helpers to one another.  

The following was published as an opinion editorial by Megan Edge, Prison Project Director, in the Anchorage Daily News on June 17, 2024. The original piece can be found here. 

We've been tracking issues related to access to justice - including legal counsel - at Department of Corrections facilities in Alaska for over a year.