Dr. Rosay presents violence against women research to Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee

Dr. André Rosay, interim director of the Justice Center, gave a presentation to the Senate Judiciary Committee of the Alaska State Legislature of Justice Center research on violence against women on March 25, 2009. Dr. Rosay also answered questions from members of the committee: Senator Hollis French (D-Anchorage), Chair; Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage), Vice Chair; Senator Lesil McGuire (R-Anchorage); and Senator Gene Therriault (R-North Pole).

Dr. Rosay's Powerpoint presentation is available (in PDF format) at the Justice Center Web Site:

• "UAA Research on Violence Against Women" (Powerpoint slide presentation) by André B. Rosay. Slide presentation presented to the Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee, 26th Alaska Legislature, Juneau, AK, March 25, 2009. Anchorage, AK: Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage. Audio of the presentation is also available.

Committee minutes and audio of Dr. Rosay's presentation, lasting about 1 hour 20 minutes, is archived at:

• Committee Minutes, Senate Judiciary, Mar 25, 2009, Alaska State Legislature. The audio may be listened to online, or downloaded as an .mp3 file.

Members of the committee were also provided with a packet containing the first ten issues of Alaska Justice Forum Reprints, all of which pertain to violence against women

Dr. Chamard to speak to RurAL CAP on April 9

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty, will give a presentation on “Crime Prevention in Rental Housing” at the quarterly meeting of case managers of RurAL CAP (Rural Alaska Community Action Program) on April 9 at their offices in Mountain View.

Alaska Justice Forum Reprints: Revisiting Alaska’s Sex Offender Registration and Public Notification Statute

The Justice Center has released another in its new series of publications, Alaska Justice Forum Reprints, which reprints selected articles originally published in the Alaska Justice Forum. Release of the first four issues was announced on March 3, and another five on March 6.

Like the first nine issues, the current issue relates to sex offenders and violence against women:

• "Revisiting Alaska’s Sex Offender Registration and Public Notification Statute" by Deborah Periman

Originally published in the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum, this article examines the background and judicial interpretation of Alaska’s sex offender registration and public notification statute, the new federal requirements for state sex offender registries and public notice under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, and weaknesses in both Alaska’s existing system and the enhanced requirements of the new federal legislation. A A longer version of the piece, with complete legal citations, is also available as UAAJC Occasional Paper 2 (October 2008).

Dr. Rosay invited to Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Interim Director, has been invited to speak to the Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee in Juneau on Wednesday, March 25, about issues of sexual assault in Alaska.

For further information about sexual assault in Alaska, see the Justice Center's sexual assault bibliography.

LSAT 101 webinar for prelaw students on April 7

Update: The webinar has been canceled due to an unforeseen conflict. The Justice Center apologizes for the inconvenience. Please stay tuned for other LSAT events which may be happening this month.

* * *

Join us for LSAT 101 — an online meeting (webinar) that will provide helpful information about the Law School Admissions Test:

Tuesday, April 7, 2009
4:00-4:45 PM
LIB 207B

Topics to be covered include how and why law school admission committees rely on the LSAT; skills that the LSAT assesses; test preparation methods, and recommendations for creating an LSAT prep plan. The presenters for this meeting are David Lynch, Director of Curriculum Development for ExamKrackers, one of the nation's largest LSAT test-preparation providers, and Charles Roboski, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Michigan State University College of Law.

If you have any questions please contact Professor Deborah Periman at 786-1125 or afdkp@uaa.alaska.edu.

For further information about attending law school, see Prelaw Advising at UAA.

Research Overview: Violent and Property Offenses in Anchorage, 2003–2007

"Violent and Property Offenses in Anchorage, 2003–2007", the second issue of Justice Center Research Overview, presents crime rates and number of offenses for violent and property crimes in Anchorage known to police from 2003 to 2007.

The figures come from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, which collects information from nearly 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. on eight serious crimes, known as Part I offenses, and over twenty less serious offenses, known as Part II offenses. Part I offenses include four violent crimes — murder/non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault — and four property crimes — burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The figures presented in the research overview are for all eight Part I offenses.

Justice Club minutes for March 16 meeting

from Kris Doughty
Justice Club secretary

UAA Justice Club
Minutes for meeting of Monday, March 16, 2009
SSB 253

Meeting called to order @ 4:00.

Major’s Fair: April 1st is the Major’s Fair on campus. There have been discussions that campus clubs will be allowed to participate in the fair this year. Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering to help out.

New Email: The Justice Club has a new email address: ayjusticeclub@uaa.alaska.edu

Guest Speaker:

Mayoral Candidate Walt Monegan
Friday, March 20, 2009
1:00 p.m. Rasmussen Hall 101

Mr. Monegan will discuss his varied experience in state government and public safety, and share his perspective on justice issues. A 32-year veteran of the Anchorage Police Department, Mr. Monegan served as its chief from 2001 to 2006 prior to his service as Commission of Public Safety. He is currently a candidate for mayor of Anchorage.

The club will be putting up posters and making an announcement in the Green and Gold Daily to raise awareness.

Sweatshirts: We are looking into getting the sweatshirts for sale in the book store.

Spring Creek Tour: The deadline to get your back ground checks is approaching fast! If you want to see what it’s like inside Alaska’s very own Maximum Security Prison without doing the time, now’s your chance! All background check forms must be filled out and turned in by this Friday, March 20th. Forms may be dropped off in the Justice Club Basket (located in the Justice Center) or you may hand your form to your closest Justice Club Officer. The tour is scheduled for April 10th and transportation will be provided thanks to the Justice Center!

Officer Elections: Officer Elections are going to be held at the April 13th club meeting. Please let us know if you want to be an officer.

Upcoming Events: The club is still working on getting a tour at the Medical Examiner’s office and the FBI. We are also planning on scheduling a bowling night and a possible gun safety workshop. As always, we are open to any idea’s comments and questions! You can
contact the club at: ayjusticeclub@uaa.alaska.edu

Or each officer individually.

Meeting Adjourned at 4:45

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kris Doughty, Justice Club Secretary.

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

Dr. Chamard elected Fairview Community Council president

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty, was elected president of the Fairview Community Council (select Fairview from menu on right) on March 12, 2009. This is her second term as president; previously she served as the council secretary and vice president. She also chairs the council’s Public Safety Committee.

Fairview Community Council is part of the Federation of Community Councils, which provides technical and support services to Anchorage's community councils. The community councils were founded in 1976 after the unification of the City of Anchorage and the Greater Anchorage Borough into the Municipality of Anchorage.

Justice Club prepares for April 10 Spring Creek tour

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 20. 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.

The Justice Club meets Mondays at 4:00 PM in SSB 253.

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

Justice Center closed March 13 for Spring Break

Along with the rest of the University of Alaska Anchorage campus, the Justice Center will be closed for Spring Break on Friday, March 13. We will reopen for our normal business hours on Monday, March 16, 2009.

Vincent W. & Mary Root Outstanding Paralegal Student Award

The Vincent W. Root and Mary Root estates donated funds to the UAA Paralegal Studies Certificate Program sufficient to establish an ongoing scholarship award for its outstanding students. The Vincent W. & Mary Root Outstanding Paralegal Student Award will be given in the amount of $500 to a student selected by the Paralegal Scholarship Committee, comprised of members of the Paralegal Studies Program’s Advisory Board.

Note: Although the application materials gives an application deadline of Friday, March 13, 2009, the Justice Center will be closed on March 13 for Spring Break. Therefore, applications should be turned to the Justice Center no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday, March 12.

Application materials can be found here.

Dr. Chamard’s Anchorage research cited by Anchorage Daily News

The Anchorage Daily News cited the research of Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty, in the “Alaska Almanac – Anchorage, a statistical snapshot” (scroll to bottom of page) on Saturday, March 7, 2009. The statistics cited are from the United Way of Anchorage, Envision Anchorage: Anchorage Community Assessment Project 2008 Report. Dr. Chamard updated the secondary data for these community indictors which will be used to develop community plans for action to improve the quality of life in Anchorage.

Justice Center and community partners address youth violence issues

The Justice Center work on anti-gang and youth violence policy initiatives is noted in the just released Report of the Tri-Borough Anti-Gang and Youth Violence Policy Team and Anchorage United for Youth. As a member of the Tri-Borough Anti-Gang and Youth Violence Policy Team, the Justice Center assisted in identifying 10 recommendations for studying and dealing with youth violence.

The Justice Center has been particularly involved with the Anchorage Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Initiative and headed a research project which involved “community mapping of part of Anchorage that showed high rates of minority overrepresentation in referrals to the juvenile justice system.”

As part of its continuing work on these issues, the Justice Center is assisting in the development of “effective intervention for delinquent and disengaged youth.” The Justice Center evaluation team has been instrumental in “setting benchmarks and identifying measureable areas for both program and population success,” and is involved in “ongoing consultation for evaluation and implementation of the United Way-led Results Based Accountability approach.”

Alaska Justice Forum Reprints: 5 new issues on violence against women

The Justice Center has released five more issues in its new series of publications, Alaska Justice Forum Reprints, which reprints selected articles originally published in the Alaska Justice Forum. Release of the first four issues was announced on March 3.

The five new issues deal with issues relating to violence against women, sexual assault, and sex offenders:

• "Recidivism of Alaska Sex Offenders" by Alan R. McKelvie [Note: this article has been removed to data issues.]
• "Sexual Assault Case Processing: A Descriptive Model of Attrition and Decision Making" by G. Matthew Snodgrass
• "Sexual Assaults in Anchorage"
• "Forcible Rapes and Sexual Assaults in Anchorage" by André Rosay
• "Disposition of Sexual Assault Cases"

Justice Center article on death penalty cited in Anchorage Daily News opinion piece

A history of capital punishment in Alaska by Melissa Green, a publication specialist at the Justice Center, was cited in an opinion piece by UAA history professor Steve Haycox, “Reason argues against death penalty," which appeared in the March 6, 2009 edition of the Anchorage Daily News.

The history referred to by Dr. Haycox is "A History of the Death Penalty in Alaska," which Green wrote in 2001 based on previously published research by Anchorage attorney Averil Lerman, the Alaska Legislative Research Agency, historian K.S. Kynell, and other sources.

The history is part of the Justice Center's "Focus on the Death Penalty" website, an educational resource that "is not intended to take sides in the debate on the death penalty. Rather, its purpose is to give as full a picture as possible, using existing Internet resources, of the complex issues surrounding capital punishment and its application." The site is in the process of being updated.

Justice Center data on sexual assaults cited in Anchorage Press

Data analyzed by Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Interim Director, is featured in an article in the March 4, 2009 issue of the Anchorage Press. The article "Closing Time" by Scott Christiansen discusses how some bar owners and members of the Anchorage Assembly are seeking the passage of a "safe hour" ordinance, which would keep bars open one hour past last call (with no further alcohol served) to allow patrons time to arrange a safe ride home.

Underlying all this is a very real problem, backed by statistics from the Anchorage Police Department analyzed by the Justice Center of University of Alaska-Anchorage. Victims do meet rapists in bars, says André Rosay, a researcher at the center. He says a majority of the sexual assaults occur on weekend nights between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and he says victims often accepted a ride home from their assailant.

"While we don't have any empirical evidence of that, I think if you talk to APD officers you will find, anecdotally, that (accepting a ride) is a common occurrence," Rosay says.

Death house chaplain Carroll Pickett to speak; public invited

Rev. Carroll Pickett will be a guest speaker for the Justice course "Substantive Criminal Law" on March 9. The public is invited to attend:

Monday, March 9, 2009
5:30–7:30 PM
SSB 118
UAA campus

SSB 118 is located in the Social Sciences Building, which is the building numbered 23 on the UAA campus map. Parking will be free (due to Spring Break).

Rev. Carroll Pickett served 15 years as the death house chaplain at the infamous "Walls" prison unit in Huntsville, Texas, and was featured in the award-winning documentary film,"At the Death House Door." During Rev. Pickett's remarkable career journey leading to his conclusion that the death penalty should be abolished, he presided over 95 executions, including the world’s first lethal injection. After each execution, Rev. Pickett recorded an audiotape account of his trip to the death chamber.

The film will be followed by a question and answer session with Rev. Pickett, moderated by Rich Curtner, Adjunct Professor of Justice and Federal Public Defender for the District of Alaska.

For more information contact the Justice Center at 786-1810.

Walt Monegan to address Justice Club on March 20

Walt Monegan, former Commissioner of Public Safety, will address the Justice Club:

Friday, March 20, 2009
1:00 p.m.
Rasmuson Hall 101

Mr. Monegan will discuss his varied experience in state government and public safety, and share his perspective on justice issues. A 32-year veteran of the Anchorage Police Department, Mr. Monegan served as its chief from 2001 to 2006 prior to his service as Commission of Public Safety. He is currently a candidate for mayor of Anchorage.

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

Dr. Barnes nominated for Faculty Exemplar Award

Dr. Allan Barnes, Justice Center faculty, has been nominated for a Faculty Exemplar Award from the UAA Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship. These awards recognize faculty members who have demonstrated long-term, exemplary mentoring of undergraduate research and creative projects, and whose contributions to student success are hallmarks of inspired teaching and active learning.

New publication: Alaska Justice Forum Reprints

The Justice Center has launched a new series of publications, Alaska Justice Forum Reprints. Selected articles originally published in the Alaska Justice Forum will appear as single reprints.

There are currently four reprints available, all dealing with violence against women issues:

• "Case Attrition of Sexual Violence Offenses: Empirical Findings" by Darryl S. Wood and André B. Rosay
• "Sexual Assaults Reported to Alaska State Troopers" André B. Rosay, Greg Postle, Darryl S. Wood, and Katherine TePas
• "Stalking in Alaska" André B. Rosay, Greg Postle, Katherine TePas, and Darryl Wood
• "Assaults in Domestic Violence Incidents Reported to Alaska State Troopers" Marny Rivera, André B. Rosay, Darryl S. Wood, Greg Postle, and Katherine TePas

Additional reprints are in preparation, and will be available soon.

Justice Club meetings for Spring 2009 semester

The Justice Club now has a regular meeting place and time for the rest of the Spring 2009 semester:

Day: Every Monday
Time: 4:00 PM
Room: SSB 253

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

Summer 2009 course offerings

The Justice Center's schedule of Summer 2009 course offerings is now online in PDF format. Courses to be offered this summer include:

• JUST/BA 241 — Business Law I
• JUST/BA 242 — Business Law II
• JUST/PS 343 — Constitutional Law
• JUST 365 — Comparative Justice Systems
• JUST 490 — Cont. Justice Issues: Alaska Natives & Environmental Law
• JUST 490 — History of Crime and Justice