Justice Center to host annual reception April 7

The Justice Center will host its annual reception for Justice Center university and community partners on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 from 4:30–6:30 PM. The event will be in the Consortium Library, Room 307. Invitations will be sent in March. For more information contact Barbara Armstrong at anbaa@uaa.alaska.edu or call 786-1810.

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Robert Eastaugh to speak to Paralegal Studies students

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Robert Eastaugh will speak on legal writing to Paralegal Studies students in Professor Deborah Periman’s course, “Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing” on Thursday, February 26, 2009, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in SSB 224. All paralegal majors and prelaw students are also invited to attend. For more information, contact Professor Periman afdkp@uaa.alaska.edu or call the Justice Center at 786-1810.

Dr. Chamard heads data update for 2008 United Way Community Assessment Report (CAP)

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty, headed the update of secondary data for the 2008 United Way CAP report which gathered information, trends and community perceptions on the local economy, education, health, the natural environment, public safety, and the social environment. These indicators will be used to develop community plans for action to improve the quality of life in Anchorage. A newspaper insert about the CAP report will be distributed March 8. The full report, Envision Anchorage: Anchorage Community Assessment Project 2008 Report, is available on the United Way Anchorage website.

Dr. Rosay assists Anchorage Police Department with 2009-2013 strategic plan

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Interim Director, is a member of the Anchorage Police Department Strategic Plan Steering Committee. The committee recently produced the 2009-2013 Strategic Plan for the Anchorage Police Department. The five main goals identified in the Strategic Plan are:

1. improve APD’s human capital,
2. improve the public’s perception of the department,
3. enhance the department’s performance,
4. advance the employment of technology, and
5. project and prioritize capital needs.

The full report is available at the Municipality of Anchorage website.

Dr. Rivera to head evaluation of MOA Alaska Methamphetamine Education Project (AME)

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty, will head the evaluation of the Alaska Methamphetamine Education (AME) Project's prevention and education efforts in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai and Mat-Su Valley. The Municipality of Anchorage contracted with the Justice Center to conduct the evaluation which will consist of feedback questionnaires from participants attending community education presentations, a survey of the five designated communities, and a process evaluation involving interviews with AME task force members. This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Justice Club: McLaughlin Youth Center tour on Thursday, March 5

The Justice Club is sponsoring a tour at McLaughlin Youth Center, which is located on Providence Drive across the street from the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. The tour will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 10:00 AM. Tour attendees will meet up at MYC at 9:45 AM.

Justice Club members interested in attending should email Kristin Machado, Justice Club Events Coordinator, at ayjusticeclub@uaa.alaska.edu so she can collect a list of attendees.

For more information about the Justice Club, see the Justice Club home page.

New publication: Justice Center Research Overview

The Justice Center has launched a new publication, Justice Center Research Overview. These brief two-page papers will be published monthly.

The publication's inaugural issue, "Batterer Intervention Programs (BIPs)" prepared by Khristy Parker, provides an overview of key research findings nationally and in Alaska on batterer intervention programs (BIPs). BIPs are intervention and treatment programs intended to reduce recidivism rates among men arrested for domestic violence offenses.

Dr. Rosay presents to Alaska State Troopers Commanders Conference

Dr. Andre Rosay, Justice Center Interim Director, presented an overview of Justice Center violence against women research to the AST Troopers Commanders Conference February 18, 2009 in Anchorage. An accompanying Powerpoint slide presentation, "Overview of UAA Justice Center Violence Against Women Research" documents key results from Justice Center studies on sexual assault, stalking, and domestic violence in Alaska.

Additional information from Justice Center research about violence against women in Alaska can be found on our Violence against women page.

Dr. Rivera interviewed by KBYR Radio 700 AM

Dr. Marny Rivera was interviewed on February 18, 2009 by KBYR Radio — 700 AM about Alaska domestic violence statistics.

Dr. Rivera discussed findings of a recent study, Descriptive Analysis of Assaults in Domestic Violence Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers: 2004 by Marny Rivera, André Rosay, Darryl Wood, Greg Postle, and Katherine TePas. The same data was also the basis for a recent article, "Assaults in Domestic Violence Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers" by Marny Rivera, André B. Rosay, Darryl S. Wood, Greg Postle, and Katherine TePas, Alaska Justice Forum 25(3) (Fall 2008).

Dr. Rivera was previously interviewed on KSDP 830 — Sandpoint on February 6; that interview can be listened to online.

For additional publications about domestic violence in Alaska, see the Justice Center's domestic violence bibliography.

Justice Club: Spring Creek tour to be held April 10

The tour of the Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward will take place on Friday April 10th, departure time around 9 AM (exact time still to be determined).

Background check: Everyone who wished the tour must fill out a background check form. Forms will be available in the Justice Center, or ask a Justice Club officer. The form must be filled out and returned to an officer or to the Justice Center by March 20th. Get your forms in early please, if your form isn't in by then, then you will not be allowed to go.

Justice Club membership: To attend, you must be a Justice Club member and your dues must be paid.

Transportation will hopefully be by a shuttle bus all the way to Seward and back. Everyone riding the bus will need to sign a release form on the day of the tour. Students can also drive their own cars or carpool.

Questions: Direct them to the Justice Club events coordinator Kristin Machado at the Justice Club's new email address, ayjusticeclub@uaa.alaska.edu.

For more information about the Justice Club, see the Justice Club home page.

Dr. Everett to review grant proposals for National Science Foundation

Dr. Ronald S. Everett, Justice Center faculty member, has been invited by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to assist in the evaluation of proposed research projects to be funded by NSF under the Law and Social Science Program, which supports social scientific studies of law and law-like systems of rules, institutions, processes, and behaviors.

Announcing the UAA Justice Center blog

To make it easier to keep track of the numerous activities of the Justice Center's research and academic activities, we've created the UAA Justice Center blog. We'll be using the blog to announce new reports and publications, academic and research news, faculty achievements and activities, website updates, and other information.

The most recent news will continue to be highlighted on the Justice Center home page, with links to the individual blog posts or publications that fill in the details. Older items will continue to be archived on the blog. You can also keep track of Justice Center news by subscribing to the blog using your favorite newsreader (see subscription link on the blog home page).

The blog, and the accompanying changes to the design of our home page, are part of a general redesign of the Justice Center Web Site. Please cOME again to see our changes as they progress.

Anchorage Daily News cites Dr. Rivera's domestic violence report

The Anchorage Daily News cited statistics from the Justice Center's recent report on domestic violence assaults reported to Alaska State Troopers. "A look at domestic violence" was published February 15, 2009 in the newspaper's Alaska Almanac.

The story was drawn from Descriptive Analysis of Assaults in Domestic Violence Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers: 2004 by Marny Rivera, André Rosay, Darryl Wood, Greg Postle, and Katherine TePas. The same data was also the basis for a recent article, "Assaults in Domestic Violence Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers" by Marny Rivera, André B. Rosay, Darryl S. Wood, Greg Postle, and Katherine TePas, Alaska Justice Forum 25(3) (Fall 2008).

For additional publications about domestic violence in Alaska, see the Justice Center's domestic violence bibliography.

Dr. Chamard interviewed by KTUU Channel 2 News

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty member, was interviewed on February 15, 2009 by KTUU Channel 2 News about how the economic downturn might affect crime. Dr. Chamard noted that people often turn to alcohol during times of economic stress, which might mean an increase in alcohol-related crime such as domestic violence.

The story, including video, is available on KTUU's website: "Police fear bad economy will lead to rise in crime" by Leyla Santiago, February 15, 2009.

Justice Center data cited during testimony at Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee

During his February 11, 2009 overview of the Public Safety Department before the Senate Judiciary Committee of the Alaska Legislature, Commissioner Joe Masters cited data from several Justice Center studies, including Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) retention issues, reports to Troopers of domestic violence and sexual assault incidents, and analysis of Alaska crime trends.

Reports referenced in Commissioner Masters' testimony include:

• Turnover Among Alaska Village Public Safety Officers: An Examination of the Factors Associated With Attrition by Darryl S. Wood. (March 2000).
  
• Descriptive Analysis of Sexual Assault Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers: 2003-2004 by Greg Postle, André B. Rosay, Darryl S. Wood, and Katherine TePas. (2007).
• Descriptive Analysis of Assaults in Domestic Violence Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers: 2004 by Marny Rivera, André B. Rosay, Darryl S. Wood, Greg Postle, and Katherine TePas. (2008.)
  

Minutes of Commissioner Masters' testimony are available on the Alaska Legislature's website, as is audio of the meeting. Audio is also available through Gavel to Gavel Alaska.

Dr. Chamard provides training to Anchorage Police Department

Dr. Sharon Chamard of the Justice Center provided training on February 9, 2009 to members of the Anchorage Police Department’s Community Action Policing Team on “Problem-Oriented Policing and Community-Based Policing: Background and Contrasts” to assist them in their problem-oriented policing projects in Anchorage.

Justice Center research data featured on national domestic violence website

The National Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Data Resource Center, a project of the Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA), provides information about domestic and sexual violence and stalking data nationally and in individual states. Alaska information includes a state summary and a more detailed state profile which includes summaries of several Justice Center and Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center projects and reports, as well as other information related to domestic violence and sexual assault.

Dr. Marny Rivera interviewed about domestic violence on Alaska Public Radio — KSDP Sandpoint

Dr. Marny Rivera of the Justice Center was interviewed February 6, 2009 about domestic violence in Alaska on KSDP 830 AM — Sandpoint, a public radio station serving the Aleutians East Borough. Dr. Rivera was interviewed by Kells Hetherington on "Meet the People," a half-hour public affairs program airing weekdays on KSDP.

Listen online. The interview is available as an .mp3 audio file n KSDP's website:

"Interview With Dr. Marny Rivera" by Kells Hetherington, interviewer. Meet the People. Sandpoint, AK: KSDP 830 AM, 6 Feb 2009.

Dr. Rivera discussed findings of a recent study, Descriptive Analysis of Assaults in Domestic Violence Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers: 2004 by Marny Rivera, André Rosay, Darryl Wood, Greg Postle, and Katherine TePas. The same data was also the basis for a recent article, "Assaults in Domestic Violence Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers" by Marny Rivera, André B. Rosay, Darryl S. Wood, Greg Postle, and Katherine TePas, Alaska Justice Forum 25(3) (Fall 2008).

For additional publications about domestic violence in Alaska, see the Justice Center's domestic violence bibliography.

Justice Club: Criminal justice study tour in Germany: July 17-Aug 2, 2009

Criminal Justice Study Tour in Germany (click for flier)
July 17 - August 2, 2009
Application deadline February 23, 2009
Sponsored by the Center for International Studies, University of Missouri — St. Louis

Justice Club members who might be interested in going should contact:

Professor Ron Everett
Justice Center
786-1820

The Justice Club is working on ideas to help interested individuals with sponsors and fundraising.

For more information about the Justice Club, see the Justice Club home page.

Justice Club minutes for February 4 meeting

from Jesse Chase
Justice Club president

Justice Club
Minutes for Wednesday February 4, 2009

New Meeting Time: Every other Monday at 4pm. Don't panic. If you can't make the meeting times; we will always send out the minutes so that you can see what you missed and can keep up with the activities that we're offering.

Valentine's Day Fund Raiser: On the 11th and the 12th we will be holding a Bake Sale/ fundraiser on the SSB building by Starbucks and hopefully in the Student Union as well. The club sweat shirts will be for sale there as well ($35 for members and faculty $40 for everyone else). If you are avalible the nights before to bake please send us an email saying what you'd like to commit to bringing. We also need indiviudals who are willing to help run the table. If you are avaliable anytime between noon and 4pm on those days please let us know and we'd be glad to plug you into a time slot.

Moose's Tooth Party: We're having are Cabin Fever Social/Party at Mooses's Tooth on Sunday February 15th around 8pm. you can show up sooner. You must be a Justice Club member or a faculty member in order to have the club pay for pizza. Per UAA policy we can only pay for two beers for students who are old enough and plan to drink. We ask that you please remain respectful of the club and who we represent and not exceed this limit unless you are paying for it and you have a ride home of your own.

Other activities: We have had requests for a lot of fun activities and tours. Keep checking your inboxes to be updated for up and coming events. If you have any activities that you would like to do with the Justice Club please let us know. There will be a bowling night this spring and some members are trying to get a skiing party together.

ACJS Conference: If you'd like to go to the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Conference please contact a Justice Club officer. It will be in Boston MA this year from March 10th-14th. To register for the conference you must be an ACJS member. Simply go to their website and pay the $30 enrollment fee. The deadlines for travel grants are past. If you plan on going you'll have to ind your own sponsors and pay for you own trip. The Justice Club is planning to help with fund raising such as bake sales and Sweatshirt sales.

New Treasurer: We'd like to welcome Eva Gomez to the infamously named Justice League. She is detail oriented and very driven. I look forward to working with her. She is a great leader and many of you already know her from class.

That's all we have for now. We'll keep you posted as each thing comes up. We are working on updating our website.

Have a great week see you all in class!
Jesse Chase
UAA Justice Club President

For more information about the Justice Club, see the Justice Club home page.

Violence against women bibliographies

Updated bibliographies of Justice Center products on violence against women — including sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking — are now online at the Justice Center Web Site. Also included are links to publications and resources on violence against women from other sites on the Internet. (Note: As part of a reorganization of our website, resources on other topics, currently organized under our Links section, will also be migrating to this new resource listing style.)

Justice Center releases report on domestic violence assaults reported to Alaska State Troopers

Domestic violence is an undeniable urban and rural problem in Alaska, but detailed data on domestic violence incidents outside Anchorage are sparse. Descriptive Analysis of Assaults in Domestic Violence Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers: 2004 by Marny Rivera, André Rosay, Darryl Wood, Greg Postle, and Katherine TePas provides an overview of characteristics of domestic violence incidents involving assaults in Alaska communities outside Anchorage reported to the Alaska State Troopers in 2004.

Justice exit exams for Spring or Summer 2009 graduation

Justice majors who plan on graduating in Spring or Summer 2009 under the new Justice BA requirements (2004-2005 or later catalog) must take the Justice Exit Exam.

Time/location: The Justice Exit Exam will be administered:

• in SSB 258 on Friday, March 20, 2009 from 10:30–12:00 PM
• in SSB 258 on Friday, April 3, 2009 from 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
  

If you are required to take the Justice Exit Exam, please contact the Justice Center at 786-1810 to reserve a date. The exit exam should take approximately an hour and 30 minutes to complete.

Grading: Currently there is no minimum score on the test required for graduation, and the test is taken anonymously.

Proof of identity: Exit exams are taken anonymously, but you will need to place your UA student ID number, name, contact phone number, and signature on a sign-in sheet so we know you have fulfilled the requirement for graduation under the new Justice BA requirements. You will need to show a picture ID before taking the exit exam. You may use your Wolfcard, driver’s license, or any state picture id card as proof of your identity.

Note: This notice only pertains to those students who are planning to graduate in the Spring or Summer 2009 semesters under the 2004-2005 or later catalog. If you are graduating under a previous catalog, you do not need to take the Justice Exit Exam. The Justice Exit Exam is administered during the Spring and Fall semesters only. Those students graduating in the Summer, will need to take the exit exam the previous Spring semester. Students who plan to graduate during the Summer semester, but do not take the exam in the Spring, technically will not be graduated until they take the exit exam the following Fall semester.

Dr. Rosay recognized by Mayor Begich and U.S. Attorney Cohen

Dr. André Rosay was recognized by Mayor Mark Begich and U.S. Attorney Nelson Cohen at the Anchorage United for Youth Summit for his partnership, contributions and commitment to finding effective and sustainable solutions to reduce youth violence. Dr. Rosay is a member of the Tri-Borough Anti-Gang & Youth Violence Policy Team.

Dr. Rosay signs Municipality of Anchorage Tri-borough Anti-Gang and Youth Violence Policy Team agreement

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Interim Director, and other community partners signed a memorandum of understanding with the Municipality as the Anti-Gang and Youth Violence Policy Team works toward “effective and sustainable solutions to youth violence.” The 22-member policy team is co-chaired by Acting Mayor Matt Claman and U.S. Attorney Nelson Cohen. Further information about the policy team can be found in the Report of the Tri-Borough Anti-Gang and Youth Violence Policy Team and Anchorage United for Youth.

United Way, Municipality of Anchorage, and Justice Center sponsor Anchorage United for Youth Summit

The United Way of Anchorage, the Municipality of Anchorage, and the UAA Justice Center sponsored the Anchorage United for Youth summit, a mini-summit to end youth violence and substance use. The summit was held on Friday, January 30, 2009 at UAA Student Commons on the UAA campus. Over 100 attendees from local nonprofits and private and state agencies met to discuss sharing resources and planning. Anchorage Acting Mayor Matt Claman delivered welcoming remarks.

The summit's focus was on five strategy areas to support youth in our community:

• Family support
• Supportive adult relationships
• Meaningful opportunities
• Intervention for delinquent and disengaged youth, and
• Effective intervention – substance abuse.

Anchorage United for Youth is a coordinated community effort aimed to help Anchorage youth succeed, as measured by:

• Reducing juvenile delinquency
• Reducing substance use by teens
• Improving high school graduation rates

More than 30 organizations have already endorsed the Anchorage United for Youth community plan.

Justice Club to meet February 4

The Justice Club's next meeting will be Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 4:00 PM. in LIB 207B.

Business at hand includes:

• finalizing Valentine's Day plans
• voting on a permanent meeting time
• going over ideas for this semester which include suggestions to host Gov. Sarah Palin as a guest speaker at the Wendy Williamson this semester

Members are asked to bring a favorite drink or snack to share. Justice Club sweatshirts ($35.00 for members) will be available for purhase sale as well as applications. Any unpaid dues will be due at this time.

Justice Club usually meets in LIB 207b in the Library; in case of confusion or meeting place change, meeting times will be posted on the counter in the Justice Center in LIB 213.

For more information about the Justice Club, see the Justice Club home page.