A joint House-Senate Judiciary committee heard testimony from several members of the judicial and law enforcement communities on how to reform Alaska's bloated prison system.
"In 2011 the non-violent offenders in prison constitute 62 percent," said Carmen Gutierrez, who chaired the state's prisoner re-entry task force.
The committee also heard from Jerry Madden, who representated Texas in the state legislature from 1993 to 2012. The Lone Star State, which is the second most populated state in the union, saw a significant decrease in repeat offenders.
"We've had probation rates that are down, we've had parole revocations that are down, because we've done additional funding for our parole departments they've been able to keep people in the community," said Madden.
He attributes Texas's success to a legislative package passed by lawmakers in 2010.
"They are actually on the right track," Madden said of Alaska. "They have some opportunities to do some really great things in the next couple years."
When lawmakers re-convene for the second half of the legislative session this January, Senate Bill 64, which will create a Sentencing Commission, will be awaiting their attention.
"It would make recommendations to the legislature for law changes, make recommendations to the courts for court rule changes--which is a pretty significant issue--and make recommendations to the administration," said Sen. John Coghill (R-North Pole).
The commission would be made up of members from the legislature, state agencies, retired and active judges, Native community leaders and victims' rights advocates.
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