Thursday, February 27, 2014

Justice major is legislative intern for Representative Guttenberg of Fairbanks

Ruddy Abam in Juneau
Ruddy Abam on the steps of the State Capitol Building.
Ruddy Abam, a Justice major and a junior at UAA, was selected to work during the 2014 Alaska legislative session as a legislative aide to Representative David Guttenberg (D) of Fairbanks.

From Cameroon, Africa, Ruddy chose to study the judicial system of the United States, and jumped at the chance to apply for the internship in Juneau. She saw this as an opportunity to learn first-hand how the legislature functions and laws are made.

Ruddy, along with two other UAA students who working as legislative aides this semester - Hans Rodvik and Victoria Yancey, are part of state government in action and will be sending word of their  experiences to the UAA community.

Click here to read about Ruddy's first impressions of life and work in our capital city.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Dr. Barnes presents at Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

Dr. Allan Barnes, Justice faculty, presented at the recent Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences annual meeting in Philadelphia.

He discussed "Justice Student Perceptions of POGIL Techniques." Dr. Barnes presented student feedback on Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) techniques as applied in upper division justice courses. POGIL techniques are part of the increasing movement towards a team-based interactive classroom experience for students. These strategies can improve discussion and retention of material.

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. 

Friday, February 21, 2014

Time to legalize? A panel discussion on March 5 on marijuana law and policy

Don't miss the March 5 panel discussion on marijuana law and policy sponsored by the UAA Justice Center and the UAA Justice Club for National Criminal Justice Month!

What: Time to Legalize? A Public Discussion on Marijuana Law and Policy
Date:  Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Time:  6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Place:  UAA Wendy Williamson Auditorium

Parking: Free in auditorium west side lot 
Cost:   Free to all UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public

Opening remarks by:
Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, a national drug law reform organization headquartered in New York City

Panelists:
Sheriff Lance Buchholtz (Ret.), Wisconsin, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP)
Ben Cort, Colorado, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM)
Dean Guaneli, former Chief Asst. Attorney General for Alaska
Taylor Bickford, Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska
Prof. Jason Brandeis, UAA Justice Center, moderator


Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on American government, constitutional law and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal issues. Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which, subsequent to the date of this program, he provided legal representation in administrative agency proceedings for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.


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Join the conversation #AKpot

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Fall 2013/Winter 2014 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum

 Alaska Justice Forum 30(3–4), Fall 2013/Winter 2014. Click through to PDF.
The Fall 2013/Winter 2014 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum includes articles on offender reentry and the collateral consequences of criminal conviction, the relationship between unemployment and domestic violence, and prison visitation policies. The issue also includes faculty and staff news, and a memorial to retired Justice Center faculty member Dr. Nancy E. Schafer, who died in September 2013. The 16-page issue includes the following articles:

"Collateral Consequences and Reentry in Alaska: An Update" by Deborah Periman

This article describes recent efforts at the national level to ameliorate the public costs of unnecessary collateral consequences, summarizes the array of statutory and regulatory impediments faced by released offenders in Alaska, and highlights legislative efforts in Alaska to improve community safety and public health by facilitating prisoner reintegration and reducing rates of recidivism.

"The Second Chance Act in Alaska" by Deborah Periman

This article describes impacts in Alaska of the Second Chance Act of 2007, which was enacted to address problems posed by the growing number of adults and juveniles released from incarceration and returned to their communities.

"Employment Barriers and Domestic Violence" by Deborah Periman

Research has found the link between perpetrator unemployment and domestic violence to be so significant that experts conclude any effective domestic violence prevention strategy must address unemployment and male poverty.

"Prison Visitation Policies in the U.S. And Alaska"

This article examines prison visitation in Alaska and nationally based on a 2012 survey of prison visitation policies for all 50 states and in the federal prison system.

"Questions from Prison Visitation Policies: A Fifty State Survey"

A summary of Alaska information from a national survey of prison visitation policies.

"Alaska Prisoner Reentry Task Force Update"

The Alaska Prisoner Reentry Task Force, a sub-committee of the Criminal Justice Working Group (CJWG), focuses on promoting the goal that individuals released from incarceration do not return to custody. This article presents an update on progress on Alaska's Five-Year Prisoner Reentry Strategic Plan, 2011–2016, which was released by Task Force in February 2011.

"In Memoriam"

Dr. Nancy E. Schafer, a member of the Justice Center faculty from 1983 to 2002, died in September 2013 after an illness. Research publications and papers by Dr. Schafer can be viewed at the Justice Center website.

"New Staff"

Khristy Parker, Justice ‘08 and MPA (Criminal Justice emphasis) ‘13, has joined the staff of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) as a research professional.

"Recent Faculty Publications"

Recent publications of UAA Justice Center faculty.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Justice alumni chapter approved by UAA alumni association board

Dr. Allan Barnes, Justice Alumni Chapter faculty advisor, attended the recent opening of The Alumni Center at UAA on the first floor of the UAA/APU Consortium Library.  Rachel Morse, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations, welcomed UA President Patrick Gamble, UAA Provost Tom Case, faculty, alumni, and guests to the opening reception on February 12.
L to r: Dr. Barnes and Nona Gunn, Senior Alumni Relations Specialist,
outside The Alumni Center at UAA.

The Justice Alumni Chapter was 1 of 7 chapters that were approved by the UAA Alumni Association Board on Monday, February 11. The chapters are now officially part of the UAA Alumni Association. Bridgette Ellis, Justice '04, is the Justice Alumni Chapter Chair.

For more information on the Justice Alumni Chapter, contact Bridgette at bridgeellis@gmail.com or Dr. Allan Barnes, faculty advisor, at arbarnes@uaa.alaska.edu
For information about other UAA alumni chapters, contact Nona Gunn at nsgunn2@uaa.alaska.edu

Monday, February 17, 2014

Justice major Kimberly Del Frate presents at Western Society of Criminology Conference


Kimberly Del Frate, Justice major and a member of the University Honors College, made a presentation at the recent Western Society of Criminology Conference (WSC) on "The Arizona Issue: Racial Profiling and Civil Rights in Immigration Law Enforcement." The conference was held February 6-8 in Honolulu.

The presentation is based on her honors thesis.  Dr. Cory R. Lepage is her thesis advisor, and Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., is her thesis reader.  Her paper examines the questions in constitutionality  and civil rights concerns that arise with enforcement of Arizona's SB 1070 - Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act - also known as the "Show Your Papers" law. A major focus of her work is whether or not implementation of the SB1070 constitutes racial profiling by law enforcement.

The Western Society of Criminology is a regional professional society devoted to the scientific study of crime. The society attracts scholars, students, government officials, and practitioners from both the public and private sectors from around the world.

Funding for Kimberly's conference participation and presentation was from the UAA Justice Center and a competitive UAA Honors College Discovery Grant.

Brooke Gladstone of NPR "On the Media" speaks in Dr. Everett's class on February 26

Brooke Gladstone
Brooke Gladstone, host and editor of NPR's "On the Media," will speak in Dr. Ron Everett's JUST 360 class Justice Theory and Policy Analysis this month.

Topic: How the Media Influences Public Perceptions of Justice
Date:  Wednesday, February 26
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Place: Rasmuson Hall 220

She will be discussing her book, The Influencing Machine, which was chosen as one of the UAA/APU Books of the Year for 2013-2014.
 

Ms. Gladstone is the author of The Influencing Machine, a media manifesto in graphic form, listed among the top books of 2011 by The New Yorker, and among the “10 Masterpieces of Graphic Nonfiction” by The Atlantic.


Her career includes stints as an NPR Moscow-based reporter, its first media reporter, senior editor of NPR’s "All Things Considered," and the senior editor of "Weekend Edition" with Scott Simon. While in Anchorage, Ms. Gladstone will also be speaking at the Alaska Library Association Annual Conference.

Justice faculty present at Western Society of Criminology Conference


 Dr. Sharon Chamard; Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D.; and Dr. Troy Payne, Justice faculty,
 recently presented on the following topics at the Western Society of Criminology Conference (WSC) in Honolulu, February 6 - 8:
Lto r: Dr. Payne  and Dr. Chamard at their presentation.
  • "Super Controllers in Context: Fees for Excess Police Services Ordinance in Anchorage" - Dr. Chamard and Dr. Payne
  • "The Impact of Shifting State and Federal Marijuana Policies on Alaska's Unique Recreational Marijuana Laws" - Prof. Brandeis
  • "Policing and Place: Managing Locations, Controllers and Police Presence" - Dr. Payne, Panel Chair

The Western Society of Criminology is a regional professional society devoted to the scientific study of crime. The society attracts scholars, students, government officials, and practitioners from both the public and private sectors from around the world.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on American government, constitutional law and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal issues. Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which, subsequent to the date of this conference, he provided legal representation in administrative agency proceedings for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska. 

Friday, February 14, 2014

Dr. Payne on panel about recommendations for Anchorage Police use of force policy

Panel members at the ACPRTF forum.
 Dr. Troy Payne, Justice faculty, was a panelist at the February 13 Anchorage Community Police Relations Task Force (ACPRTF) community forum at Clark Middle School on "Police Use of Force."

A sub-committee of the ACPRTF reviewed the APD use of force policy and recently released a report,  Anchorage Police Department Use of Force Policy Review Brief and Recommendations. Dr. Payne is a member of the ACPRTF and was a member of the reviewing sub-committee.

Panelists also included Chief Mark Mew, Anchorage Police Department (APD), and other ACPRTF members. Municipality of Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan made introductory comments. Rosa Melendez, Regional Director, Region X, Department of Justice Community Relations Service, was the program moderator.

Chief Mew announced at the event that a copy of the APD Use of Force Policy is now available on the APD web page.

This event was presented by the ACPRTF in partnership with the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission, the Anchorage Police Department, and the UAA Justice Center.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Dr. Payne is panelist at Feb 13 community forum on police use of force procedures

Dr. Troy Payne, Justice faculty, will be a panelist at the upcoming Anchorage Community Police Relations Task Force (ACPRTF) community forum on February 13.

Topic: Police Use of Force Procedures
Day: Thursday, February 13, 2014
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: Clark Middle School

Panelists also include Pastor Victor Marbury, ACPRTF Vice-Chair and Chief Mark Mew, Anchorage Police Department (APD), as well as other community and agency members. Rosa Melendez, Regional Director, Region X, Department of Justice Community Relations Service, will be the program moderator.

This event is presented by the ACPRTF in partnership with the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission, the Anchorage Police Department, and the UAA Justice Center.

The ACPRTF recently released the Anchorage Police Department Use of Force Policy Review Brief and Recommendations. This report looks at the history and mission of the ACPRTF, recent use of deadly force incidents by APD, efforts by APD and the ACPRTF to address community concerns about use of force, and presents the findings and recommendations of the ACPRTF's review of the Anchorage Police Department's use of force policy.

Since its establishment in 1981, the Task Force has operated successfully in its role as a liaison between the ethnic minority community and the APD.  It continues to provide a forum for input and constructive dialogue between Anchorage community members and the APD.

Don't miss "Inequality for All" - a film about the nation's widening economic gap - on Feb 19

A film and interactive webcast of interest to Justice and Legal Studies students

The UAA Sociology Department, the UAA Sociology Club, and the UAA College Democrats are sponsoring a free showing of the film, “Inequality for All,” by Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, and a special webcast with Robert Reich the day after the film.

What:
Film – “Inequality for All”
Date: Wednesday, February 19
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Rasmuson Hall 101
Cost: Free
The film looks at the nation’s widening economic gap.

Day after the film -
What: Interactive webcast with Robert Reich
Date: Thursday, February 20
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Consortium Library 307
Cost: Free

For more information contact uaasociology@gmail.com

Willamette law school dean speaks to Prof. Periman's legal ethics class


Dean Curtis Bridgeman, Willamette University College of Law, spoke at UAA on February 5 in Prof. Deb Periman's legal ethics class.

Lto r: Dean Bridgeman, Prof. Periman
and UA Regent Mary Hughes.
He presented a classic ethical dilemma for students to consider and asked the class about the moral and legal obligations the dilemma posed. There was lively discussion about the issues.  Dean Bridgeman stressed the kinds of legal and moral concerns that confront individuals in the justice community and urged students to develop critical thinking skills.

The final portion of his presentation was a q & a session about law school preparation and admissions.

At right, Prof. Periman, J.D.,and Mary Hughes, J.D., a member of the University of Alaska (UA) Board of Regents, pose for a photo with Dean Bridgeman.  Both Prof. Periman and Ms. Hughes are alums of Willamette University College of Law.

Anchorage Daily News cites data from Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center Fact Sheet

Data from the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC)  Fact Sheet, "Assaults Committed Against Alaska Police Officers, 2002-2011," was cited in a recent Anchorage Daily News article about a legislative bill to allow Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs) to be armed.

"House committee advances officer firearm bill," by Mike Coppock (Anchorage Daily News, 4 Feb 2014)


Thursday, February 6, 2014

UAA community volunteers at 2014 Project Homeless Connect

Members of the UAA community volunteered at the 12th Annual Anchorage Project Homeless Connect (PHC) held at the Egan Center on Wednesday, January 29, 2014.  The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness presents this day-long program with the help of community sponsors and volunteers. The goal is to move our community closer to ending homelessness.

UAA community volunteers for the 2014 PHC included Heather MacAlpine, Justice alum and Municipality of Anchorage Associate Ombudsman; Jack Runser, UAA Human Services major; and Barbara Armstrong, editor, Alaska Justice Forum, Justice Center.  

This event brings together service providers and government agencies under one roof to assist homeless persons in identifying their top 3 issues of concern, and then links individuals with the appropriate provider.  Hospitality is an important part of the day and a lunch is offered to attendees, as well as canned food items to take with them.  Similar programs are presented in cities across the United States.

The initial interview with each attendee also presents an opportunity for collecting information about who is homeless and why.  This data is aggregated and provides a tool to assist service providers and government agencies in policy making and structuring services.

Preliminary estimates show that 600 individuals were served on January 29. The final report for this event will be available shortly.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Don't miss the film "Fruitvale Station" on Friday, Feb 7 at 5pm!

The College of Health Diversity Committee is sponsoring a free film discussion and popcorn event for UAA students:

Day: Friday,  February 7
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Place: Social Sciences Building (SSB) 118 

The film, "Fruitvale Station," looks at the police shooting of an unarmed young black man on a BART train in Oakland, California on New Year’s 2009.

Justice and Legal Studies students may find this film particularly interesting to view and talk about together.  A faculty-facilitated group discussion follows the film.

This event is presented as part of a series of educational programs for UAA students on issues related to diversity.

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

Monday, February 3, 2014

Justice Center welcomes students at Preview Days

Dr. Marny Rivera; Prof. Kristen Knudsen, J.D.; and Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D., met with high school students and their parents at the January 31 Preview Days at the UAA Student Union.

Preview Days is designed specifically for high school juniors and seniors and their guests and helps students get ready to attend UAA.

A student (l) and Prof. Fortson (r) talk about Justice Center
programs as Dr. Rivera (center) looks on.

The event offer students and their guests the opportunity to experience firsthand all that UAA has to offer. Students attend a mock class, workshops on admissions and financial aid, and speak with current students about campus life as well as UAA faculty about academic programs. Guests speak with UAA administrators and also attend workshops on admissions and financial aid.

Two East High students (l) listen as Dr. Rivera describes Justice
and Legal Studies options. Dr. Rivera is a grad of East High herself!

Prof. Knudsen (l) discusses careers in Justice with a parent
and her high school daughter.

"Spirit" poses with our Justice faculty at Preview Days.

Dr. Payne is panelist at upcoming community forum on police use of force procedures

Dr. Troy Payne, Justice faculty, will be a panelist at the upcoming Anchorage Community Police Relations Task Force (ACPRTF) community forum on February 13.

Topic: Police Use of Force Procedures
Day: Thursday, February 13, 2014
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: Clark Middle School

Panelists include Pastor Victor Marbury, ACPTRF Vice-Chair and Chief Mark Mew, Anchorage Police Department (APD), as well as other community and agency members.

This event is presented by the ACPRTF in partnership with the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission, the Anchorage Police Department, and the UAA Justice Center.

Since its establishment in 1981, the Task Force has operated successfully in its role as a liaison between the ethnic minority community and the APD.  It continues to provide a forum for input and constructive dialogue between Anchorage community members and the APD.

Willamette law school dean speaks on legal ethics this week in Prof. Periman's legal studies class

Dean Curtis Bridgeman
Dean Curtis Bridge, Willamette University College of Law, speaks at UAA this week in Prof. Deb Periman's legal ethics class.

Topic: "Legal Ethics & Fiduciary Duty" - followed by a q & a session on law school prep and admissions
Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Place: Social Sciences Building (SSB) 251

All students are welcome to this event.