Dr. Brad Myrstol participates in panel on criminal justice reform

(L-R) Commissioner Monegan,
Mayor Berkowitz, and Capt. Case
listen to Dr. Myrstol at Chugiak-
Eagle River public meeting.

Dr. Brad Myrstol, Justice Center faculty and director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) and Alaska Justice Information Center (AJiC), participated in a public meeting that drew more than 50 people to discuss criminal justice reform on Saturday, February 25. Other panelists at the Chugiak-Eagle River meeting included Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan,  Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz, APD Capt. Sean Case, Alaska Judicial Council Executive Director Susanne DiPietro, Department of Law Criminal Division Director John Skidmore, and Department of Corrections Commissioner Dean Williams. Sen. Anna MacKinnon (R-Eagle River) hosted the discussion.

Media coverage:

• "At Criminal Justice Reform Meeting, SB 91 Takes Center Stage" by Kirsten Swann. Chugiak–Eagle River Star, 27 Feb 2017. 

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein presents research on sexual assault and domestic violence at Juneau "Lunch and Learn"

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, faculty member in the Justice Center, will present results from the Alaska Victimization Survey and the University of Alaska Campus Climate Survey at a "Lunch and Learn" event focused on ending domestic violence and sexual violence in Alaska on Wednesday, February 22 in Juneau. The event is organized by the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault and sponsored by Alaska State Representatives Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)  and Ivy Spohnholz (D-Anchorage).

Video:

• "What Does It Take? Ending Domestic & Sexual Violence in Alaska" (video) by Lindsey Blumenstein, Wendi Siebold, and Carmen Lowery. Lunch & Learn. 51:06 mins. (program starts at 10:30). Juneau, AK: 360 North, 2017.

AJSAC Fact Sheet: Violent Crime Reported in Alaska, 1986–2015

The most recent issue of the AJSAC Fact Sheet, "Violent Crime Reported in Alaska, 1986–2015," presents data on violent crimes reported in Alaska from 1986 to 2015 as reported in the Alaska Department of Public Safety publication Crime in Alaska. "Violent crime" is an aggregate category that includes homicide (murder and non-negligent manslaughter), rape, robbery, and aggravated assault offenses reported to police.

From 1986 to 2015, violent crime rates increased in Alaska although the overall crime rate decreased. Homicide and robbery rates declined over the 30-year period, while rape and aggravated assault rates increased from 1986 to 2015 – with aggravated assault acting as the main driver of increases in the violent crime rate over the period. On average, violent crime accounted for 11 percent of all crime reported in Alaska from 1986 to 2015. Aggravated assault accounted for nearly three-quarters, robbery for nearly 15 percent, rape for nearly 13 percent, and homicide for just over one percent of all violent crime reported in Alaska over the period.

The fact sheet is by Khristy Parker, Research Professional, Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC). The AJSAC Fact Sheet series addresses various crime and criminal justice topics.

Citation:

• Parker, Khristy. (2017). "Violent Crime Reported in Alaska, 1986–2015." AJSAC Fact Sheet 17-02 (Feb 2017).

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Media coverage:

•  "Violent Crime up in Alaska over Past 30 Years, Even as Overall Crime Rate Fell" by Michelle Theriault Boots. Alaska Dispatch News, 20 Feb 2017. 
•  "Data Viz: Statewide Crime Reported in Alaska (1960-2015)"  by Sidney Sullivan.  KTUU Channel 2 News, 20 Feb 2017.

Pamela Cravez joins Justice Center

Pamela Cravez joins the Justice Center as editor of the Alaska Justice Forum and Research Associate. Ms. Cravez received her J.D. from Catholic University Law School and an M.F.A. in creative nonfiction from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She has worked as a public defender, communications director, reporter, writer, editor and researcher. Her book, The Biggest Damned Hat: Tales from Territorial Alaska’s Lawyers and Judges, will be released by the University of Alaska Press  April 2017.

Justice Center welcomes students at 2017 Spring Preview Day

Prof. Kristin Knudsen (L) and Dr. Marny Rivera speak
with students at the Student Union during 2017
Preview Day.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator, and Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., M.J.S., Legal Studies Program Coordinator, taught three mock classes to give students an idea of what classes would be like in Justice Center programs and spoke with high school students in the Student Union at the Spring 2017 Preview Day on February 10. 

Preview Day is designed to help high school juniors and seniors get ready to attend UAA. In addition to mock classes, students learn about admissions and financial aid and speak with current students about campus life.

Dr. Rivera and Prof. Knudsen helped students understand what they could expect from the Justice Undergraduate Program and the Legal Studies Program and fielded questions from students who came from all over Alaska and as far away as Texas.

Alaska Court System Annual Report FY 2016

The Justice Center assisted with layout and design of  the recently released Alaska Court System Annual Report FY 2016.  The report includes an overview of the court system, review of court initiatives over the fiscal year, photo directory of Alaska Court System judges and magistrate judges, maps of court locations, statistical tables of court system activity, and photos of Alaska courthouses and scenic areas around the state.

For the past five years, Melissa S. Green, Justice Center publication specialist, has worked with Antonia Moras, project coordinator for the court system and former editor of the Alaska Justice Forum. Ms. Green collaborated on design, did layout and compositing of text, statistical tables, maps, and photographs for both the annual report and a more abbreviated Profile of the Alaska Court System 2017.

Ms. Green also collaborated with Ms. Moras on a major redesign of the report in FY 2012.

Annual reports for FY 2007–FY 2016 are available on the Alaska Court System website.

First UAA 3+3 student April Stone admitted to Willamette University School of Law

April Stone (center) with her daughter, Shailynn (left)
and Willamette University School of Law
Dean Curtis Bridgeman at a reception earlier this year.

April Stone, Justice  major, is the first UAA student to be admitted to Willamette University School of Law 3+3 accelerated law school program under the 3+3 admissions agreement with UAA. Ms. Stone started at Willamette fall semester 2016.

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Justice Center Legal Studies faculty, worked with Willamette to develop the 3+3 program and is UAA’s point of contact for program advising.

UAA Justice Club holds Valentine’s Day Fundraiser for AWAIC and STAR

Joseph Mitzel, Club Council Representative for the UAA Justice
Club and Caitlin Sawicki, Development Coordinator for AWAIC
set up resources for students at Rasmuson Hall on Feb. 8.

UAA Justice Club members are partnering with AWAIC (Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, Inc.) and STAR (Standing Together Against Rape) to raise awareness of what “love is” and what “love is not” as they travel to different locations on UAA’s Anchorage campus the week before Valentine’s Day. Along with providing information, Justice Club members are selling Valentine’s Day cards and gifts that will be personally delivered on February 14 with proceeds to go to AWAIC and STAR.

Dr. Rivera elected to Board of Directors for Alaska Public Health Association

Dr. Marny Rivera, a faculty member of the UAA Justice Center, was elected to the Alaska Public Health Association Board of Directors.  As a member of the Board of Directors, Dr. Rivera will oversee the management and affairs of the Alaska Public Health Association.  The mission of the association is the advancement of public health.  It serves as a hub that connects all health groups in Alaska to promote the quality of life for all Alaskans.  Dr. Rivera has made significant contributions to Alaska’s public health issues on underage drinking and substance abuse, as well as on the co-occurrence of substance abuse with child maltreatment and violence against women.

AJSAC Fact Sheet: "Property Crime Reported in Alaska, 1986–2015"

The most recent issue of the AJSAC Fact Sheet, "Property Crime Reported in Alaska, 1986–2015," presents data on property crime in Alaska from 1986 to 2015 as reported in the Alaska Department of Public Safety publication Crime in Alaska. "Property crime" is an aggregate category that includes burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft crimes. From 1986 to 2015 the property crime rate in Alaska decreased as the overall crime rate decreased. On average, property crime accounted for two-thirds of all crime in Alaska over the thirty-year period.

The fact sheet is by Khristy Parker, Research Professional, Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC). The AJSAC Fact Sheet series addresses various crime and criminal justice topics.

Citation:

• Parker, Khristy. (2017). "Property Crime Reported in Alaska, 1986–2015." AJSAC Fact Sheet 17-01 (Jan 2017).

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Media coverage:

• "Study: Anchorage Property Crimes Decreased over 30-Year Period"  by Jerzy Shedlock. Alaska Dispatch News, 6 Feb 2017.

Professor Brandeis interviewed by KTVA CBS 11 News

Tuesday, January 31, 2017 — Professor Jason Brandeis, a faculty member of the UAA Justice Center, was interviewed by KTVA CBS 11 News on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court.  Professor Brandeis explained that Judge Gorsuch’s judicial philosophy and judicial styling is very comparable to that of the late Justice Scalia.  He also discussed the confirmation process for Judge Gorsuch and the important function of the United States Supreme Court.

• "Law Expert Explores Challenges Facing Trump’s SCOTUS Nominee." Includes video (3:55). Jason Brandeis interview by Emily Carlson.  KTVA CBS 11 News, 31 Jan 2017.