In the recent past, Alaska has experienced overcrowding in its correctional facilities. Although this is a problem that has been there for quite some time, the population growth in Alaska’s prisons sky-rocketed very fast as compared to the rates in other states. Though this is the case, it is very difficult to attribute this increase in incarceration to definite causes. As at now, Alaska is among the eight states of the highest growth in prison population. Currently, its rate is one out of 36. As at today, there are over 6000 people in prison, either on electronic monitoring or in residential motoring centre of the community. However, there are only twelve inter-state correctional facilities, which are not enough for all these people. Also, in relation to the population of Alaska which is slightly over 710,231.
Research shows that Alaska is ranked at 41st position of all the states in the number of incarcerated persons. This can be attributed to the highly urbanized population of Alaska. Over half of the Alaska’s population is urban thus could be a contributor to high incarceration rate. Alaska City has a population of over 500,000 of the regional 700,000 population.
In Alaska’s correctional facilities, there is over representations of the minorities in Alaska. According to Alaska department of corrections, many minorities are represented at Alaska’s correctional institutions. This means that of the prison population in Alaska, the highest percentage composes of the minorities.
Another reason for the possibility of the high rates of incarceration in Alaska could be due to the high level of heterogeneity in the state. Culture and race related problems could and the extent of urbanization of the population could be the reason for the high rates of incarceration in Alaska.
Other possible reasons that could be contributing to this high incarceration rate in Alaska could be the presumptive sentencing that is adopted by Alaska, the increased law enforcements, increased prosecution. The integrated state level jail system in Alaska could also be a factor to contribute to this high rate.
Though the rate in Alaska is high, it does not match the rate in Oklahoma. In 2011, the rate of crime in Oklahoma was approximately 20% more than the average rate of the entire nation. 88% of the crimes in Oklahoma were property crimes. This is more than the national rate by 19%. 12% of the crimes are violent crime which is also 32% more than national rate.
Though Oklahoma has an average crime rate, it is nationally ranked 17th. Oklahoma has over 260000 prisoners. This is an incarcerated rate of 648 persons per 100,000 population in 2012.
Despite the fact that Oklahoma’s crime rate is average - ranked 4th nationally. In addition to this, the rate of female incarceration is higher than that of any other state nationally. Its female incarceration rate found its way to the top twice. Its female incarceration rate stands at 134 per 100,000 which are over twice the national rate (60 per 100000). This sharp increment in the percentage of female incarceration in the recent past has seen the rise of the women in the correctional centers which for a very long time was 3.5% to 11%.
As compared the state in Alaska, Oklahoma uses a very huge budget on maintaining the inmates. In Oklahoma alone, the budget goes up to
Research shows that the high rate of women present in Oklahoma’s correctional centres can be attributed to three main factors i.e. poverty-stricken backgrounds, suffering from abused history, having relationships with men who are criminals and domestic violence.
Oklahoma has very many programs at their departments of correction. These programs include educational programs, career and technical programs, reentry programs, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services and cognitive health programs, education services and substance abuse programs. These programs are geared at helping the inmates be better citizens and for in line with their rights as human beings and citizens of the united states of f America.
Alaska through its department of corrections offers evidence based rehabilitative programs which are foster their security and the security of their institutions. These programs also help in reducing recidivism as well as safeguarding the public. These programs also gives the inmates the needed tools that will in return help them by becoming citizens who are law abiding. These programs include: substance abuse programs, chaplaincy services, educational, vocational & pro-social educational Programs, substance abuse services, mental health services and Sex offender services.
On experiences, a prison warden from Alaska says that war on crime in the prisons endangers the lives of the wardens. Citing an example where Eric Williams, who was a 34-year-old warden from Pennsylvania was stabbed severally using a homemade knife when patrolling, the warden requested the government to consider the lives of the wardens since they are keeping watch of very dangerous people. He also requested the wardens to be excused not to enter the prisoners’ cells when unarmed.
Kim Spalding, formerly of Alaska maximum security prison remembers how he was forced to arm himself into prison. He could not risk his life since sometimes the inmates become so unruly and because they are many, they can overpower a warden. However, the bosses could not understand Spalding’s position of having a knife in prison for purposes of self defense and he was fired. Though he was violated the Alaska’s prison policy, he was very certain that he saved his life using that knife.
Elsewhere, in Oklahoma, Millicent Newton-Embry and Carla King can recall how falsely they were accused of colluding and allowing sexual assault in Oklahoma’s women prison. This followed after eleven women inmates filed a suit claiming that they were sexually assaulted while at McLoud and are accusing of the two, being senior wardens, they reportedly severally to them about the case but unfortunately nothing was done to curb the incidence until they were transferred. They say that two prison guards named David Juber and Jamie Baker assaulted them severally but no justice had been done to them. However, Jamie Baker says, “People can be very ungrateful. Those ladies know what they want from us. Their malicious plans against us will not succeed.” If it is possible that these women could be having something against the two guards one of the guards is claiming, then, we shouldn’t hurry to accuse our guards.
Lastly, another warden was really angered by false accusation that his wife aided an escape of an inmate. This finally landed the wife in jail. However, she was later acquitted but he claims he underwent psychological torture because of the situation he was subjected to.
Works cited:
Guerin, P. et.al Prisoners in 2010. US Dept. of Justice, 2011. Web. 19 Dec 2011.
Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage UAA Justice Center, 2011
Molly Hennessy-Fiske. Los Angeles Times: Oklahoma warden's wife freed from prison; she aided inmate escape. April, 05. 2012.
Oklahoma’s Incarceration Rates, Tulsa World, Julie Delcour, December 30, 2008
