News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582, Fax: 907/465-6545
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: February 11, 1997 Contact: James Armstrong 907/465-3892

Donley's "No Frills Prison Act" Passes Senate

One Step Closer to Safer Neighborhoods

Juneau -- Senator Dave Donley’s (R-Anchorage) "No Frills Prison Act", which limits personal possessions and activities of prisoners in Alaskan correctional facilities, reduces state medical expenses for prisoners and provides greater vocational training opportunities for prisoners passed the Senate Tuesday February 11 by a vote of 17 to 2 and will next move to the House.

"The most significant change in this year’s bill from the version that passed the Senate last year is the addition of a two-year window of time to gradually implement the "no frills" portion of the bill," said Donley. "This will allow the Department of Corrections the time they feel is needed to phase in these stricter prison rules."

Senator Donley explained that Senate Bill 1 is a well reasoned step toward implementing the new state constitutional language adopted by voters in 1994 which added "community condemnation", "victim rights", and "victim restitution" as standards for prison administration in Alaska.

The bill seeks to fulfill these new mandates by removing or prohibiting certain amenities from Alaska's prisons including premium cable television, cassette tape players, weightlifting equipment and possession of pornographic materials.

This year's version adds a new cost saving provision by instituting a fee (not more than $2 a month) for use of electrical utilities. The bill also allows the department to recoup costs for certain health care services provided to prisoners.

"The public, not only in Alaska but nationwide, has been asking for this kind of prison reform for far too long," said Donley. "Based on SB 1’s quick action in the Senate, I feel confident that Alaska’s imprisoned criminals will soon realize that if you’re convicted of a crime in Alaska, you are not going to enjoy your time in our prisons."

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