Podcast for "Gideon v. Wainwright: Celebrating 50 Years of Public Defenders for Criminal Offenses and a Proposal for a 'Civil Gideon'" now online

Federal Defender Rich Curtner holds up an enlargement of Clarence
Gideon's handwritten petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.

This presentation was the 2nd in a series of 3 programs for 2013 National Criminal Justice Month:

Gideon v. Wainwright: Celebrating 50 Years of Public Defenders for Criminal Offenses and a Proposal for a "Civil Gideon"

Click here for the podcast.

Panelists included: Richard Curtner, Federal Defender, Federal Defender’s Office; Michael Schwaiger, Assistant Public Defender, Alaska Public Defender Agency; and Nikole Nelson, Executive Director, Alaska Legal Services Corporation.

Alaska Legal Service Executive Director Nikole Nelson discusses the unmet civil legal needs of people in Alaska.

The event was free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public. The UAA Justice Center, the Justice Club, and the Pre-Law Society are the sponsors for National Criminal Justice Month events.

L to r: Justice Club President Daniel Reinhard, Alaska Legal Services Executive Director Nikole Nelson;
Alaska Assistant Public Defender Michael Schwaiger; Justice Club Faculty Advisor Dr. Troy Payne;
Federal Defender Rich Curtner; Pre-Law Society President Judson Adams.

April 4 COH diversity committee student event: showing of "Temple Grandin" - how autism led a young woman to become a top scientist in humane livestock handling

UAA Students: 

 Join the College of Health Diversity Committee and the Department of Health Sciences for an educational discussion and viewing of the Emmy-award winning film, "Temple Grandin" on Thursday, April 4.

Date: Thursday, April 4
Time:  6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: UAA Rasmuson Hall 111
Admission: Free
Free snacks!

The film tells the story of a woman who overcame the limitations associated with autism - and is now an advocate for those with autism, and a top scientist in the humane livestock handling industry. Dr. Grandin is currently Professor of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University and the author of numerous books.

This event is presented as part of the educational programs for students in recognition of  National Public Health Week, April 1-7, 2013. April is also Autism Awareness Month. An autism resources list will be available.


Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Justice faculty, is chair of the COH Diversity Committee.

Alaska Justice Forum editor named to editorial board of UAF Alaska Journal of Dispute Resolution

Barbara Armstrong, Alaska Justice Forum editor, has been named to the editorial board of the Alaska Journal of Dispute Resolution. The Journal is published yearly in hard copy by the UAF Department of Justice.

The 2012 issue has just been released and includes articles on restorative justice in Alaska, forgiveness as healing in traumatic violence cases, and reentry mediation for pre-release prisoners in Maryland, among other topics.

For more information, or to obtain a copy, contact Prof. Brian Jarrett, Managing Editor, UAF Department of Justice.

Prof. Periman attends Lilly conference on college and university teaching

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Justice faculty, attended the 25th Annual Lilly Conference on College & University Teaching - West in March. This year's theme was "Evidence-based Teaching and Learning."  Higher education professionals from the U.S. and around the world met this year to discuss topics such as:

• improving critical thinking across the curriculum
• learner-centered teaching
• metalearning - building brained-based learning skills to help students succeed
• power of peer collaboration in the classroom 
• promoting diversity awareness
• scholarship of teaching and learning as part of an institutional strategic plan

At Lilly Conferences, internationally-known scholars join new and experienced faculty members and administrators from all over the globe.  The conferences are retreats that combine workshops, discussion sessions, and major addresses, with opportunities for informal discussion about excellence in college and university teaching and learning.

Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center releases Fact Sheet on assaults committed against Alaska police officers 2002-2011

The Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) has released, "Assaults Committed Against Alaska Police Officers, 2002-2011,"  issue number 13-03 in its Fact Sheet publication series.

The report examines data on assaults on Alaska police including rates of assault, percentage of assaults resulting in injury, weapons used in assaults, and officers killed in the line of duty (1960–2011).   Data are drawn from the annual Crime in Alaska report of the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

With this issue, the AJSAC debuts its new masthead. 

The AJSAC is housed within the UAA Justice Center and publishes a monthly Fact Sheet addressing various crime and criminal justice topics. Dr. Brad Myrstol, Justice faculty, is the AJSAC director.

Justice faculty present at Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 50th annual meeting in March

Justice Center faculty presented on several topics at the 50th Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences annual meeting in Dallas, March 19-23.  This year's theme was "The Politics of Crime and Criminal Justice."

 Presentations:
 Dr. Sharon Chamard:
"The Temporal Effects of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend on Crime in Anchorage"

Dr. Cory R. Lepage:
"A New Approach in Reducing Domestic Violence in Alaska: Evaluation of the Fairbanks PACE Project"

Dr. Troy Payne and Dr. Sharon Chamard:
"Alcohol Ignition Interlock Orders in Alaska: A Preliminary Analysis"

Dr. Troy Payne:
"Exploring Seasonality of Crime in Anchorage, Alaska"

Following their ACJS presentations l to r: Dr. Troy Payne, Dr. Sharon Chamard, and Dr. Cory R. Lepage.

The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) is an international association founded in 1963 to promote criminal justice education, research, and policy analysis.  Members include educators, scholars, and professionals from all sectors of the criminal justice system, and students.

College of Health hosts open house to highlight newly renovated Allied Health Sciences Building

L to r: Justice Center Acting Director Dr. Allan Barnes, COH Dean Bill Hogan, Justice faculty Prof. Kristin Knudsen

The College of Health (COH) held an open house on March 7 to showcase the newly renovated Allied Health Sciences Building on the UAA campus. COH Dean Bill Hogan welcomed attendees and thanked the donors who had made possible the acquisition of  high-fidelity (human or patient) simulator manikins and an ultrasound machine for the facility.  Two Allied Health students also addressed the group and expressed appreciation for the scholarships that had made such a difference in their academic lives.  A reception and tours of the building followed.

Justice Center Acting Director Dr. Allan Barnes and Justice faculty Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., attended the event. The gathering was also an informal opportunity to discuss with COH faculty and students the health law course - LS385 Health Law and Regulatory Compliance - being offered by the Justice Center as part of the Legal Studies program.

Prof. Fortson volunteers as trial judge for 2013 statewide high school mock trial competition

Prof. Fortson, as presiding judge, listens to arguments.

Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Justice faculty, volunteered to act as a presiding judge at the recent statewide 2013 Alaska High School Mock Trial Competition in Anchorage at the Boney Courthouse.  The competition is sponsored by the Young Lawyers Section of the Anchorage Bar Association and the Law Related Education Committee of the Alaska Bar Association.

L to r: Volunteer lawyer coordinators Kimberly Tsaousis, Office of
Public Advocacy; and Lars Johnson, Alaska Public Defender Agency.

Seven schools from Southeast Alaska up through the Interior fielded 8 teams for the event. The West High School team of Anchorage prevailed and will go on to compete in the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Indianapolis in May.

Over 40 lawyers, judges, and individuals in court-related occupations volunteered to assist with the event. Coordinators for the competition were volunteer lawyers Lars Johnson, Alaska Public Defender Agency, and Kimberly Tsaousis, Office of Public Advocacy.

Tonight - Prof. Knudsen discusses employment law issues for employees at UAA Bookstore Happening

Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., Justice faculty, will discuss employment law issues for employees in Alaska small businesses at the UAA Bookstore "Happenings" lecture series, "The Life of Small Businesses in Alaska: A Look at Employee Relations and Working Conditions."  She will be addressing a variety of anti-discrimination laws and wrongful discharge.

Day and time: Monday, March 18, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
Location:  UAA Bookstore Mezzanine
Parking: Free in lot in front of bookstore

Other panelists  include Grant Larsen , Anchorage Business Advisor for the Alaska Small Business Development Center; Jeremy Applegate, Investigator for the State of Alaska Wage and Hour Administration; and Rhonda Gerharz, Chief Investigator of the Special Investigations Unit of the Alaska  Division of Workers' Compensation.

These experts will share information concerning what people should know about working for small businesses -- obligations of employees and those of employers, plus rules governing Workers' Compensation.

Save the date - March 27! National Criminal Justice Month panel on Tribal Courts in Alaska

Photo by Lisa Jaeger

Tribal Courts in Alaska: Past, Present, and Future

This is the last in the 2013 series of  presentations for National Criminal Justice Month.

Panelists

• Walt Monegan, Alaska Native Justice Center CEO, Moderator 
• Kevin Illingworth, Tribal Management Program Head and Assistant Professor, Interior-Aleutians Campus, UAF 
• Lisa Jaeger, Tribal Government Specialist, Tanana Chiefs Conference
• Natalie Landreth, Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund
• Magistrate Judge Christopher McLain, Alaska Court System 

Date/time: Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307
Parking is free in the library surface lots.

All events are free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public.

This year is the 3rd annual series of presentations focusing on criminal justice issues for National Criminal Justice Month. The  Justice Center, Justice Club, and the Pre-Law Society are co-sponsors of this event.

Click here for information on all the presentations for 2013 National Criminal Justice Month.

Dr. Myrstol interviewed by KNBA radio about women in law enforcement in Alaska and the U.S.

Dr. Brad Myrstol, Justice faculty and director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC), was interviewed by KNBA radio reporter Joaqlin Estus about the February 2013 AJSAC Fact Sheet, "State and Local Law Enforcement Personnel in Alaska: 1982 - 2011." He discussed the number of female sworn officers in Alaska and nationwide, and trends in the numbers. Overall, women are underrepresented in law enforcement both in Alaska and in the Lower 48.  Since 1982 our state has lagged behind the rest of the country in the number of female sworn police officers.

Dr. Myrstol also highlighted the career opportunities for women in police work and noted that women often outperform their male counterparts in  police tasks.  Female police officers are especially effective in defusing volatile situations and communicating with individuals in high stress situations.

Click here to listen to the interview which aired March 7, 2013.

Prof. Brandeis participated by Skype in Vermont Law School event with American Constitution Society for Law and Policy

Screen shot of Prof. Brandeis during the Skype presentation.

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Justice faculty, addressed the Vermont Law School chapter of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) via Skype about his work in the field of constitutional law.  He participated in the Career Panel on February 27which focused on what it is like to be involved in constitutional law practice. Fellow panelists included Vermont constitutional law practitioners and a U.S. Department of Justice attorney specializing in constitutional torts. Law students and members of the Vermont Law School community attended.

Prof. Brandeis' experience in constitutional law includes his tenure as staff attorney for ACLU of Alaska, and  his work as one of the attorneys who represented Joseph Frederick in Morse v. Frederick (also known as the "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" case), a student free speech case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007. Prof. Brandeis is a graduate of Vermont Law School.

L to r: Panelist Rebecca Turner, Office of  the Defender General,
Vermont, chats with law student Arwen Gaddis, one of the
event coordinators, at the reception following the presentation.

Representatives from institutional and community corrections speak at National Criminal Justice Month event

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., introduces the panel.

"Working in Institutional and Community Corrections," held March 1, was the first in a series of 3 presentations for National Criminal Justice Month.

Panelists were Anthony Piper, Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) Program Manager, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services; Rebecca Tozer, Probation Officer II, Alaska Department of Corrections; and Lt. Scott Dial & Sgt. Rodney Ramirez, Alaska Department of Corrections. The program focused on goals of corrections programs, common misconceptions of work in corrections, differences in probation and parole, training required, most useful college courses for students to take, and career paths in the field of corrections.

This is the 3rd annual series of presentations focusing on criminal justice issues for National Criminal Justice Month. The  Justice Center, Justice Club, and the Pre-Law Society are co-sponsors of this event. 

All events are free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public. Click here for information on all the presentations for National Criminal Justice Month. 

L to r: Daniel Reinhard, Justice Club president; Anthony Piper, ASAP Program Manager;
Probation Officer Rebecca Tozer, AK Dept.of Corrections (DOC); Sgt. Rodney Ramirez, DOC;
Lt. Scott Dial, DOC; Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Justice Club co-advisor.

Dr. Rivera interviewed on KRUA "Informania" about the Justice Center and the fields of justice & criminology

Dr. Marny Rivera ready for
her interview.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator, was interviewed February 18 on KRUA 88.1 The Edge - the UAA student radio station - on "Informania."  The program host is Deb the Librarian, aka Professor Deborah Mole, Liaison Librarian to the Journalism & Public Communications Department.

Click here to listen to an archived version of the interview with Dr. Rivera. (The full interview is about 60 minutes.)


Summary of interview topics: Dr. Rivera discusses what brought her to criminology and the justice field, her recent underage drinking research,  Justice Center research projects, Justice Center publications including the Alaska Justice Forum and the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Fact Sheet, and the resources available on the Justice Center website, and the Justice Center Facebook page and Twitter account. She describes faculty areas of expertise, noting specific research areas such as violence against women, juvenile justice, prisoner reentry, homelessness, and criminalization of marijuana.

The interview includes details about the academic programs at the Justice Center and the bio-behavioral criminology capstone course, as well as the role of Justice faculty in advising students. Dr. Rivera talks about the goal and focus of research and research methodology, provides tips to students about selecting a research topic, outlines research opportunities for students, explains what courses and career options are available to students interested in the justice field, and highlights the activities of the Justice Club and the Pre-Law Society.  She closes the interview by stressing that she and the Justice faculty believe in the importance of students finding something they can feel passionate about and carrying that passion into a career after leaving the university.

"Informania" is a weekly interview show that helps satisfy the need for information. Prof. Mole also selects music to match the theme of the program. Get more information and an archive of past interviews on her blog - "Deb's Informania Radio Show."

Alaska Court System FY 2012 annual report released

The Alaska Court System Annual Report FY 2012 has been released.  Antonia Moras, former editor of the Alaska Justice Forum, was the project coordinator for the court system.   

Melissa S. Green, Justice Center publication specialist, worked with Ms. Moras on the project through a contract with the court system.  In collaboration with Ms. Moras, Ms. Green completed the design and layout of the text and statistical tables for the Annual Report and a Profile of the Alaska Court System.

The FY2012 report is presented in a new, expanded  format which includes profiles of the judges with photos, maps, easy-to-read statistical tables, an overview of the court system, highlights of court initiatives, and photos of Alaska court houses, as well as photos of scenic areas around the state.

A limited number of black and white print copies are available.  The full text of the report in color is online at the Alaska Court System website.

Justice Center affiliate faculty Dr. Wood interviewed by Anchorage Daily News about village public safety officers

Dr. Darryl Wood, Justice Center affiliate faculty, and faculty at Washington State University Vancouver, was interviewed for the recent Anchorage Daily News article, "Officials eye new ways to add to safety officers." The article by Becky Bohrer, published in hard copy February 11 and online February 15, discusses Governor Parnell's efforts to increase safety in rural Alaska, and looks at some of the issues involving recruitment and retention of Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs).

Dr. Wood has researched a number of aspects of the VPSO program.  His work includes includes:

•  "Police Presence, Isolation, and Sexual Assault Prosecution." Criminal Justice Policy Review, 22(3), 330-349. Darryl S. Wood, André B. Rosay, Greg Postle, and Katherine TePas. (2011)
• "Alcohol Availability, Police Presence and Serious Injury in Isolated Alaska Native Villages." Darryl S. Wood and Paul J. Gruenewald. Addiction,101, 393-403. (2006)
•  "Officer Turnover in the Village Public Safety Officer Program."   Alaska Justice Forum, 17(2). Darryl S. Wood. (2000).
• Turnover Among Alaska Village Public Safety Officers: An Examination of the Factors Associated With Attrition. Darryl S. Wood. (2000).

For a copy of the research above, you can also contact Dr. Wood at darrylwood@wsu.edu

Prof. Periman participates in MentorJet event - mentoring college students looking toward a career in law

Volunteer lawyers and judges for MentorJet-  l to r front row: Herman Walker, Cynthia Franklin, Alaska District Court Judge Pamela Washington, Prof. Deb Periman, Tonja Woelber, Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Dana Fabe.

Back row l to r: Erin Dougherty, Don McClintock, Jahna Lindemuth, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Deborah Smith, Greg Razo, Peter Boskofsky. Not pictured Nevhiz Calik Russell.  Photo by Barbara Hood, Alaska Court System

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., was one of a group of volunteer Alaska lawyers and judges who met with college students during "MentorJet: A Speed Mentoring Experience" at UAA on February 14. The event provided students the opportunity to talk with diverse Alaska lawyers and judges and learn about the steps to a successful and rewarding career in law. Prof. Periman introduced Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Dana Fabe who addressed the group on the importance of a diverse judiciary. UAA Provost Elisha "Bear" Baker welcomed  the volunteer mentors to UAA and thanked students for their participation in the event. The program included speed mentoring rounds and refreshments.

The program is part of the Color of Justice - Alaska project sponsored by the National Association of Women Judges and a variety of legal organizations.  The goal of these programs is to foster diversity in the legal profession and judiciary.

L to r: Prof. Deb Periman, J.D.; Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice
Dana Fabe; Assistant Provost Monica Kane;
Provost "Bear" Baker. Photo by Barbara Hood, Alaska Court System

Front: Alaska District Court Judge Pamela Washington mentors a student.
Attorney Tonja Woelber (middle) and U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Smith
(back row) discuss career preparation and options with students.

Visiting Distinguished Professor Willie Hensley talks to Prof. Fortson's Alaska Native law class about Alaska Native land issues

Center: Prof. Willie Hensley explains the background of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).

Willie Hensley, one of Alaska's most well-known leaders and a Visiting Distinguished Professor of Business and Public Policy in the UAA College of Business and Public Policy, spoke on February 28 to a combined group of students from Prof. Ryan Fortson's Alaska Native law class and Prof. Terry Kelly's contemporary philosophy class.

Prof. Hensley was a  key figure in the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and he highlighted the issues surrounding the struggle for recognition of land claims by Alaska Natives, and the history of relations between Alaska Natives and the state and federal governments.

Center l to r: Just prior to Prof. Hensley's presentation, Prof. Kelly and Prof. Fortson, J.D., listen as a student outlines some of the issues in Native land claims .

Don't miss the March 7 presentation on Gideon v. Wainwright - celebrating 50 years of public defenders and a proposal for a "civil Gideon"!

This is the second in a series of 3 presentations for National Criminal Justice Month:

Gideon v. Wainwright: Celebrating 50 Years of Public Defenders for Criminal Offenses and a Proposal for a "Civil Gideon"

• Richard Curtner, Federal Defender, Federal Defender’s Office
• Michael Schwaiger, Assistant Public Defender, Alaska Public Defender Agency
• Nikole Nelson, Executive Director, Alaska Legal Services Corporation

Date/time: Thursday, March 7, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307
Parking is free in the library surface lots.

All events are free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public.

This is the 3rd annual series of presentations focusing on criminal justice issues for National Criminal Justice Month. The  Justice Center, Justice Club, and the Pre-Law Society are co-sponsors of this event.

Click here for information on all the presentations for National Criminal Justice Month.

Don't miss tonight's panel on working in institutional and community corrections - LIB 307!

Tonight is the first in a series of 3 presentations for National Criminal Justice Month:

Working in Institutional and Community Corrections

• Anthony Piper, Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) Program Manager, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
• Rebecca Tozer, Probation Officer II, Alaska Department of Corrections
• Lt. Scott Dial & Sgt. Rodney Ramirez, Alaska Department of Corrections  

Date/time: Friday, March 1, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307
Parking is free in the library surface lots.

All events are free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public.

This is the 3rd annual series of presentations focusing on criminal justice issues for National Criminal Justice Month. The  Justice Center, Justice Club, and the Pre-Law Society are co-sponsors of this event.

Click here for information on all the presentations for National Criminal Justice Month.