Many of our inmates have not had regular access to any form of health care prior to coming into DOC custody. In addition, many inmates suffer from pre-existing conditions such as alcohol and drug addiction, mental health issues, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Alaska DOC has a constitutional mandate to provide essential health care for all inmates incarcerated in Alaska's prisons. This includes preventative health services, dental, mental health treatment, hospital care and treatment of chronic disease. The Department is committed to ensuring inmates receive appropriate medical and behavioral health care that is in line with evolving standards of care nationally.

Alaska's inmate population is overwhelmingly male (90 percent). The inmates in the 30-39 years of age range have the highest representation, followed closely by those 18-29 years of age. Eight percent of inmates are 60+ years of age.

Seventy-five percent of the inmate population have been convicted of felony (murder, manslaughter, robbery, assault, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual assault, arson, misconduct involving a weapon, misconduct involving a controlled substance); 18 percent have been convicted of a misdemeanor (stalking, indecent exposure, shoplifting, fraud, trespass). The remaining seven percent have been convicted of probation/parole violations.
*based on 2021 Offender Profile

mortality Facts

• The majority of inmate deaths are natural, and do not fall in the category of accidental, homicide or suicide. The causes of natural deaths include cancer, coronary, gastro-intestinal, chronic ethanol abuse, end-stage liver and renal disease, cardiovascular/pulmonary disease, hemorrhage, respiratory issues, infectious diseases, etc.
• Many inmates have not had regular access to any form of health care prior to entering an Alaska DOC institution. In addition, many inmates suffer from pre-existing conditions such as alcohol and drug addiction, mental health issues, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. From the moment they arrive at one of our facilities, we are committed to providing proper care for our inmates as part of preparing them for successful re-entry into the community.

Investigations

In the event of an anticipated inmate death, the Alaska State Troopers and the State Medical Examiner Office are notified by the facility. All unexpected, unattended, and non-natural deaths are investigated by the Alaska State Troopers.

Role of the Medical Examiner in Inmate Mortality

Under Alaska law, the State Medical Examiner shall be notified when a death occurs in a corrections facility owned or operated by the state. The Medical Examiner has the authority to perform or have performed whatever examinations, investigations, autopsies, or laboratory examinations they deem necessary or in the public interest to determine the cause or manner of death of the deceased. Autopsy results and cause and manner of death determinations are considered privileged and confidential, releasable only to a person who is related to the deceased or who has a financial or personal interest in the estate of the deceased. For information about the State Medical Examiner, see AS 12.65.005.

Releasable Information

Incarceration does not deprive an individual of his or her right to have information about their health protected from public disclosure. The Department of Corrections, as a health care provider, is a covered entity for purposes of the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164). Pursuant to 45 C.F.R. § 164.502(f), the Department must comply with the confidentiality requirements of HIPAA with respect to the protected health information of a deceased inmate. Pursuant to Alaska Statute (AS) 40.25.120 and AS 12.62.160, institutional and medical files are confidential and exempt from release.

Manner of Death by Gender, 2015 - 2022

The table below reflects the number of inmate deaths from 2015 to 2022 by gender and manner, as determined by the Medical Examiner. The Inmate Population is a snapshot of July 1 for each year.

*Natural includes cancer, cardiac arrest, cardiovascular/pulmonary disease, end-stage renal disease, end-stage liver disease, chronic ethanol abuse, respiratory failure, infectious disease. Also includes cases listed as "undetermined" by the State Medical Examiner.

To review the Offender Profile, please visit Research & Records