Mortality Data and Related Policies, 2000-2020

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Alaska Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

Sherrie Daigle:
Special Assistant to the Commissioner
Alaska Department of Corrections
PO Box 112000, Juneau, AK 99811
sherrie.daigle@alaska.gov

To Sherrie Daigle:

Under the Alaska Open Records Law, A.S. Code § 40-25-110 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records that:

– Those which include time and date of all instances of death occurring in the offender population between January 2000 and December 2020.

– Those which indicate the total number of individuals in Alaska Department of Corrections (ADOC) custody who died by any cause, separated monthly, from January 2000 to December 2020.

– Monthly population records that include the total number of deaths occurring among people in the custody of the ADOC between January 2000 and December 2020.

– Certificates of death for all individuals in ADOC custody who died between January 2000 and December 2020.

Additionally, I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of any and all ADOC policies, regulations, and procedures, pertaining to...

– Investigations of in-custody deaths.

– Requirements for the performance of an autopsy or post-mortem medical examination of individuals who die while in ADOC custody.

– The reporting of in-custody deaths to other governmental agencies.

– Next-of-kin notification in the event of in-custody deaths.

If there are any fees for searching or copying these records, please inform me. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees in that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of Alaska's dealth and mortality policies. This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.

Please respond to this request in a reasonable time period. If access to the records I am requesting will take longer, please contact me with information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.

If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.

Thank you for considering my request.

Sincerely,

Forrest Behne
Policy Director, COVID Prison Project
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Office: (919) 391-7962
340 MacNider Hall | Campus Box 7240
333 South Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7240

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

COVID Prison Project

Hello Betsy,

Thank you very much for your prompt assistance in this matter. We are grateful for all of your help.

Sincerely,

The COVID Prison Project