Spring 2013 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum focuses on school discipline

The Spring 2013 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum is devoted primarily to issues related to school discipline and the juvenile justice system, and features three articles on "zero tolerance" policies by Dean Williams, who was the Superintendent of the McLaughlin Youth Center; Carol Comeau, who was the Superintendent of the Anchorage School District; and William Hitchcock, who was the Master of the Anchorage Children’s Court. Background is provided through an examination of recent data on juvenile delinquency and school suspensions and expulsions for Alaska. A fifth article describes StepUp, a diversion program for expelled or long-term suspended students which has operated for the past four years in the Anchorage School District. The issue also includes updates on Alaska Victimization Survey data releases, faculty and staff news, and a memorial to retired Justice Center faculty member Dr. Lawrence C. Trostle, who died in May.

The 12-page issue includes the following articles:

"Juvenile Justice, School Discipline, and Zero Tolerance"

This article introduces a special issue of the Alaska Justice Forum focusing on school discipline in relationship to juvenile justice, particularly on the impact of the "zero tolerance" policies that emerged from the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994.

"Trends in Juvenile Delinquency, School Suspensions, and Expulsions" by André B. Rosay and Marny Rivera

This article provides a context for a discussion of school discipline issues by examining recent juvenile delinquency data for Alaska and looking at the rates for school suspensions and expulsions. The number of juveniles referred per 10,000 population, rate of referrals, and rate of offenses referred to the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice have all shown marked declines since 2003, while the rate of suspensions and expulsions reported in 2010–2011 increased strikingly from those reported for prior school years .

"School Discipline and the Zero Tolerance Approach" by Dean Williams

This article explores the expansive breadth of research on the issue of school discipline, especially with regard to the zero tolerance approach to firearms in schools or other student disciplinary infractions. School expulsion and suspension for many years has been endorsed as not only appropriate, but essential to maintain school safety and harmony. Extensive research, from a vast array of sources, has challenged some long-held notions about school discipline and school safety. An accompanying bibliography provides complete citation information and URLs for research cited.

"Does 'Zero Tolerance' Work? Alternatives to Out-of-School Suspension and Expulsion"by Carol Comeau

The policy of zero tolerance, which came out of the federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, mandates out-of-school suspensions for firearms in schools, and has been applied to a number of additional student disciplinary infractions, resulting in increased out-of-school suspensions and expulsions. This article describes the effects of zero tolerance on the Anchorage School District, the efforts of the school district and a number of agencies to address the issue of juvenile crime and school discipline, and the programs that grew out of that collaboration.

"Zero Tolerance and Juvenile Justice: A View from the Bench" by William D. Hitchcock

One of the principal factors that may often precipitate a plunge into the juvenile justice system is the failure to maintain and succeed in school. Today there is growing concern that the policies of many school districts of zero tolerance for firearms in schools or other student disciplinary infractions place many youth out on the street and vulnerable to high risk behavior and delinquency. This article describes the link between educational failure and juvenile crime and the need for the appropriate response to wrongful behavior by youth.

"StepUp: Helping Kids with Discipline Problems Stay in School" by Barbara Armstrong

This article describes StepUp, a diversion program for expelled or long-term suspended high school students developed in 2009 by the Anchorage School District and the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice. StepUp provides a highly structured voluntary program that includes academics, anger management training, physical activities, and community work service for students who have had serious discipline problems. Over 80 percent of the 101 students in StepUp from 2009 to 2013 have continued their education. The program was expanded in 2011 to include middle school students.

"Juvenile Justice and School Discipline Resources"

A bibliography of publications and other resources on school discipline in relationship to juvenile justice, with an emphasis on the "zero tolerance" policies that emerged from the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994.

"Update on Alaska Victimization Survey Data Releases"

Summaries of estimates of violence against women in Alaska are available on the Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) web page. AVS, launched in 2010, is an ongoing effort to gather reliable and valid estimates of intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women in Alaska.

"In Memoriam"

Dr. Lawrence Trostle, a member of the Justice Center faculty from 1990 to 2009, died in May 2013 after an illness. Research publications and papers by Dr. Trostle can be viewed at the Justice Center website.

"Faculty News"

Dr. Brad Myrstol, Justice Center faculty and director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC), has been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor and awarded tenure.

"Retirement"

Alan McKelvie, Senior Research Associate for the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC), has retired.

"Recent Publications"

Recent publications of UAA Justice Center faculty and staff.

Alan McKelvie retires from Justice Center

Alan McKelvie, Senior Research Associate for the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC), retires May 30.

Mr. McKelvie joined the Justice Center in 2002 and served as the AJSAC Director from 2002 to 2012.

Two from the Justice Center receive 10-year service recognition awards at faculty/staff convocation

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Professor and currently a Visiting Executive Research Fellow with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in Washington, D.C., and Alan McKelvie, Senior Research Associate with the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC)  housed at the Justice Center, each received recognition of 10-years of service to UAA at the Faculty/Staff Convocation on September 21.

See photos from event below.

Faculty and staff congregate for breakfast before the event.

UAA Chancellor Tom Case chats with people before the program.

UA President Patrick Gamble addresses faculty and staff.

Alaska data workshop with National Governors Association highlights progress toward one state ID number for persons in Alaska justice system

Alan McKelvie, Director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center, presented at the data workshop in Anchorage sponsored by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices on August 23.

The Alaska In-State Policy Workshop was part of the efforts to "improve Alaska's ability to link data across justice agencies to help the state measure recidivism rates." This day-long workshop focused on status reports from the various agencies involved in the project to adopt a single type of person identifier to be used by the Alaska justice system. Mr. McKelvie gave an overview of the APSIN (Alaska Public Safety Information Network) ID Query Project. The APSIN ID number is set to become the official person identifier used in Alaska.

Currently, an individual in the justice system may have a different ID number assigned to him/her by various justice agencies with whom the individual is involved, e.g., Alaska State Troopers, corrections, the courts, etc. The lack of a single ID number across all justice agencies creates tremendous problems when attempting to analyze data to determine recidivism rates.   

Other panelists included Thomas MacLellan, Director,and Jeff McLeod, Senior Policy Analyst, Homeland Security and Public Division, National Governors Association Center for Best Practices; Scott Came, Deputy Executive Director, SEARCH-National Consortium for Justice and Information Statistics; Carmen Gutierrez, Deputy Commissioner, Prisoner Rehabilitation & Reentry, Alaska Department of Corrections; Kathy Monfreda, Chief, Criminal Records and Identification Bureau, Alaska Department of Public Safety; other members of the Department of Public Safety Development Team; and additional agency representatives.  The program was moderated by Helen Sharratt, Integrated Justice Coordinator, Alaska Court System.

Alaska project members will be meeting to discuss the next steps for implementation.

Far right: Alan McKelvie, Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center Director, gives an update
on the APSIN Project.  Other participants left to right: Joe Butler, IT Manager, Alaska Department of
Corrections, and Carmen Gutierrez, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Corrections.

Workshop participants listen to agency status reports.

Director of Statistical Analysis Center presents at data workshop sponsored by National Governors Association

Alan McKelvie, Director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center, is a panelist on August 23 for a data workshop in Anchorage sponsored by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. The "Alaska In-State Policy Workshop" is part of the efforts to "improve Alaska's ability to link data across justice agencies to help the state measure recidivism rates."

Mr. McKelvie, a member of the Alaska team, will assist in  providing a project overview and status update of the APSIN (Alaska Public Safety Information Network) ID Query Project. The goal of the project is to implement adopting a single type of person identifier to be used by the Alaska justice system.  Currently, an individual in the justice system may have a different ID number assigned to him/her by various justice agencies with whom the individual is involved, e.g., Alaska State Troopers, corrections, the courts, etc. The lack of a single ID number across all justice agencies creates tremendous problems when attempting to analyze data to determine recidivism rates.   

Other panelists include Thomas MacLellan, Director, Homeland Security and Public Division, National Governors Association Center for Best Practices; Carmen Gutierrez, Deputy Commissioner, Prisoner Rehabilitation & Reentry, Alaska Department of Corrections; Kathy Monfreda, Chief, Criminal Records and Identification Bureau, Alaska Department of Public Safety;and other members of the Department of Public Safety Development Team.

Workshop participants will work with the National Governors Association to develop a strategic plan for adopting and integrating the APSIN ID across state agencies in order to track offender recidivism.

Alan McKelvie receives Bureau of Justice Statistics grant

Alan McKelvie, Director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (SAC), has received a grant from the Bureau of Justice Statistics for FY2011-2012 under the State Justice Statistics Program for Statistical Analysis Centers.  With this award, Mr. McKelvie will be upgrading and expanding the Justice Information Exchange Model that is located at the SAC.  Key improvements will include import/export capabilities, information exchange package documentation, and security settings. This library of standardized information exchange packages project was begun in FY2009-2010.

The standardized information exchange packages will include data such as incident reports, criminal intakes and dispositions, booking forms, criminal fingerprint cards, citation forms, and criminal complaints, and will be made available to criminal justice agencies statewide through the SAC website.

See additional information on the Justice Information Exchange Model and on the National Information Exchange Model (including information exchange package documentation (IEPDs). The Alaska Statistical Analysis Center is housed at the UAA Justice Center.

SAC Director McKelvie receives Bureau of Justice Statistics grant

Alan McKelvie, Director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (SAC), has received a grant from the Bureau of Justice Statistics for FY2010-2011 to expand on the work begun in FY 2009-2010 compiling a library of standardized information exchange packages.

The standardized information exchange packages will include data such as incident reports, criminal intakes and dispositions, booking forms, criminal fingerprint cards, citation forms, and criminal complaints, and will be made available to criminal justice agencies statewide through the SAC website.

This project is part of the U.S. Department of Justice National Information Exchange Model (NIEM). The Alaska Statistical Analysis Center is housed at the UAA Justice Center.

Alan McKelvie evaluates criminal information exchange system software

Alan McKelvie, Director of the Alaska Statistical Analysis Center, has been asked to be the beta-tester and evaluator for Patriot Data Solutions Group/CDX Exchange Builder software designed to assist in information sharing among justice agencies. McKelvie, in charge of training for MAJIC (Multi-Agency Justice Integration Consortium), will be testing this software's capability to quickly and efficiently build complete, compliant IEPDs (Information Exchange Packet Documentation) that can be shared statewide and nationally.

These standardized information exchange packets will include such data as incident reports, criminal intakes and disposition, booking forms, citation forms, and criminal complaints. McKelvie will report his findings to Patriot Data Solutions/CDX Exchange Builder, MAJIC, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Alan McKelvie, Alaska Justice SAC Director, heads the Alaska National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) project

Alan McKelvie, Director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (SAC), will head a project through the Multi-Agency Justice Integration Consortium (MAJIC) for the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM). The project team will compile a library of standardized information exchange packages and make this information available to criminal justice agencies through the SAC website. These standardized information exchange packages will include such data as incident reports, criminal intakes and dispositions, booking forms, criminal fingerprint cards, citation forms, and criminal complaints. Project team members include Maxine Andrews, National Law Enforcement & Corrections Technology Center/Northwest; Dean Barnes, Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) Redesign Project Manager; and Diane Schenker, Integrated Justice Project Manager, Alaska Court System. The Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center is housed at the UAA Justice Center.

Justice Center concludes Group-Based Models Workshop

Dr. Daniel S. Nagin, Professor of Public Policy and Statistics at Carnegie Mellon Heinz College, concluded today his presentation of a 3-day workshop on group-based models for analyzing developmental trajectories. This invitation-only intensive program held July 7, 8, and 9 for social behavioral science researchers was hosted by the Justice Center and trained participants to use group-based models in a variety of health and social welfare disciplines. These models can describe, summarize, and analyze individual and environmental changes over time. Dr. Nagin is an internationally known expert in this field and has published extensively on group-based models.

Workshop participants are pictured here, back row, left to right: Dr. Adrienne Freng, Associate Professor, Dept. of Criminal Justice, University of Wyoming; Dr. Brad Myrstol, Assistant Professor, UAA Justice Center; Alan McKelvie, Director, Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center; Dr. Darryl Wood, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Political Science & Criminal Justice, Washington State University, Vancouver; Gregory Matt Snodgrass, Ph.D. Student, Carnegie Mellon Heinz College.

Front row, left to right: Dr. Daniel Nagin, workshop presenter, Teresa and John Heinz III University Professor of Public Policy and Statistics, Carnegie Mellon Heinz College; Dr. Marny Rivera, Assistant Professor, UAA Justice Center; Dr. David Driscoll, Director, UAA Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies. Not pictured, Dr. André Rosay, Director, UAA Justice Center.

Director Alan McKelvie interviewed by Anchorage Daily News

Alan McKelvie, Director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (SAC), was interviewed by the Anchorage Daily News regarding Anchorage crime rates and trends that can be identified from data compiled by the Anchorage Police Department for the FBI Annual 2008 Uniform Crime Reports.

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"