Increase Access To Digital Technology Inside Alaska Prisons

Alaska’s Use and Possession of Electronic Devices Legislation

Two identical bills, Senate Bill 230 and House Bill 330, have been introduced in the Alaska Legislature to allow incarcerated individuals increased access to digital technology.

Increased access to digital technologies for incarcerated Alaskans leads to more opportunities for rehabilitation, improved pre-release self-help, and advancement opportunities. Such access would allow the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) to expand treatment and recovery support, vocational training, general and advanced education, reentry planning, faith-based and tribal activities, prosocial community connections, and other recidivism-reducing programs and activities.

Digital technology is used in prisons nationwide with safe and secure equipment and practices designed to prevent breaches and unauthorized access.

The Juneau Reentry Coalition has submitted letters of support for each bill. The letter of support for Senate Bill 230 is pictured below.

Contact the House and Senate State Affairs Committees and Ask Them To Schedule A Hearing!

These bills are assigned to the State Affairs Committee in their respective bodies (House and Senate) and need to be scheduled now so that this vital piece of legislation is passed this session!

Send Email Now!

To email the House State Affairs Committee asking to schedule a hearing for HB 330, use the address House.State.Affairs@akleg.gov.  Address your email to Chair Shaw and Committee Members, telling them you support HB 330, and ask that it be scheduled for a hearing.

To email the Senate State Affairs Committee, use the address Senate.State.Affairs@akleg.gov. Address your email to Chair Kawasaki and Committee Members, telling them you support SB 230, and ask that it be scheduled for a hearing.