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State Travels To Bethel To Educate On Controversial SB91

State of Alaska

The justice community in Bethel - law enforcement, lawyers, and judges - gathered Monday for a briefing on Senate Bill 91. They heard a summary of changes to the justice system that have some people upset, and others just confused.  

Nancy Meade, General Counsel for the Alaska Court System, delivered what she called a “neutral” synopsis of the legislation, which is aimed at putting less people though the state’s prison system, but has drawn criticism from law enforcement both across the state and in Bethel. Police are concerned that the bill reduces police effectiveness by cutting sentences and shortening probation, while increasing fines.

“There is some level of misunderstanding about what’s in there. Things changed from January, when it was introduced, to when it was finally signed in June, and a lot of people didn’t follow that because it’s hard to do,” said Meade.

The talk was geared not to the public, but to those who work in the justice system.

Meade pointed out that during consideration of the bill, some aspects were amended in response to law enforcement feedback. She also explained that there are three phases of the bill, and only the first has been enacted. The next phase will begin January 1, and the third will began in 2018. During that time, Meade says she expects the bill's provisions to go through significant changes as the next legislature takes session.

Correction: In an earlier version of this story two parts of the law were compared incorrectly, this section has been removed.