Dr. Chamard elected vice-chair of Anchorage Public Safety Advisory Commission

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty member, was elected on December 10, 2008 to the office of vice-chair of the Municipality of Anchorage’s Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC). This nine-member body advises the Mayor and the Anchorage Assembly on public safety issues of concern to the citizens of the Municipality.

Justice Center research cited in Alaska Federation of Natives' 2008 annual convention resolution

Justice Center research on reports of sexual assault and of sexual abuse of minors to Alaska State Troopers was cited in an Alaska Federation of Natives' (AFN) resolution at their 2008 convention in Anchorage. Resolution 08-22 cited a 2008 Justice Center study showing that almost 50 percent of sexual assault and sexual abuse of minor cases reported to Troopers during 2002 and 2004 occurred in western Alaska. The convention delegates resolved that "...AFN support a policy of zero tolerance for sexual abuse crimes in all of Alaska's villages and requests that villages develop a partnership with Alaska State Troopers and other agencies in an effort to design traditional, culturally relevant and community specific solutions to effectively combat the high incidence of such crimes...."

Dr. Rosay is first recipient of Alaska Native Justice Ulu Award for his justice research in Alaska

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Interim Director, was the recipient on October 25, 2008 of the first Ulu Award presented by the Alaska Native Justice Center. The award was instituted this year to honor individuals who have contributed to the Alaska Native community through research and support. Dr. Rosay was given the Ulu Award in recognition of his dedication and support to justice research in Alaska.

Dr. Chamard leads forum on chronic public inebriates

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty member, chaired a forum with policy makers on chronic public inebriates, highlighting the impact on Anchorage and discussing policy recommendations. The forum was held on October 21, 2008 at Fairview Elementary School.

Drs. Everett and Rosay present DMC update to Anchorage Community Police Relations Task Force

Dr. Ron Everett, Justice Center faculty, and Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Interim Director, will present a community update on October 20, 2008 at the Fairview Recreation Center to the Anchorage Community Police Relations Task Force on "Disproportionate Minority Contact in the Juvenile Justice System."

Dr. Rosay interviewed by KNBA

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Interim Director, was interviewed on "KNBA Public Forum" on July 7, 2008, regarding the issue of disproportionate minority contact in the juvenile justice system. Minority youth are overrepresented in the system, and the upcoming "Second Forum on Minority Overrepresentation in the Juvenile Justice System: Realizing Just Solutions," seeks to bring together local experts and community members to share information on the problem and their vision for solutions. The event July 10 and 11 is presented by the Justice Center and organized in conjunction with the Alaska Native Justice Center and other community partners. Dr. Rosay was interviewed along with Deborah Wing, Director of Program Operations for the Alaska Native Justice Center.

Justice Club: 30 attended Spring Creek tour!

from Lacy Jensen
Club Council Representative
Justice Club

30 Attend Spring Creek Tour!!! WOW!

Friday proved to be a great day for 30 members of the justice club + one bus driver. The tour to the Spring Creek Correctional Center was amazing. This being the biggest Justice Club event in years, the 30 Justice Club members were split in to three groups with tour guides: Superintendent John Turnbull, Assistant Superintendent Thomas Reimer, & Sergeant Lapinskas, who were outstanding and gave us an exceptional level of accommodation. We were given a tour of the entire facility, excluding the armed tower and security truck of course. The tour consisted of visiting the kitchen and maintenance area, which employed prisoners who are very well trusted. Those who were hungry had a tasty prison meal of sloppy joes. We also went to the maximum security housing which was very educational/creepy, as well as the housing for the prisoners with mental/behavioral issues. The gym and yard were full of prisoners during their recreational time as we walked through; we were mixed right in with the inmates. The tour was very intriguing, educational, and exciting.

We would like to thank August Knutsen again for helping to fund the trip and also Dr. Rosay and the Justice Center for helping to fund the trip. Hopefully this tour can become a yearly event for the Justice Club and its future members because it is well worth it. If you missed it, demand it next spring!! Thanks again to everyone who helped make this possible, and hope everyone that went had a blast! Check out the attached picture & see you next time!

Lacy Jensen
Justice Club
Club Council Representative