# Alaska

The Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC), which certifies police, also sets standards for and certifies Department of Corrections (DOC) correctional, probation, and parole officers. Alaska has no county jails: DOC runs the State’s prisons and jails. Since 2023 the State has made peer support counseling confidential for correctional officers, added higher certificate levels for corrections staff, set rules for prisoner tablets, and let correctional officers enroll in a new address confidentiality program.

Source: https://uscli.org/corrections-tracker/alaska

## At a glance

- **Certifying body:** Alaska Police Standards Council, in the Department of Public Safety. It sets minimum standards for and certifies correctional, municipal correctional, probation, and parole officers ([AS 18.65.220(2)](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#18.65.220)). A person may not be appointed as a correctional, municipal correctional, probation, or parole officer, except on a probationary basis, without a valid APSC certificate (AS 18.65.248). Municipal jail staff are covered only where the municipality adopts the APSC standards by ordinance (AS 18.65.285). See the [Alaska Officer Ledger page](https://uscli.org/officer-certification-tracker/alaska) for police certification.
- **Statute:** AS 18.65.130 to 18.65.290 (APSC; 18.65.242 standards and 18.65.245 denial and revocation for correctional, probation, and parole officers). AS 33.30 (DOC prisons and jails). AS 33.05 and 33.16 (probation and parole). Regulations: 13 AAC 85.200 to 85.280 (corrections certification), 13 AAC 87.060 and 87.080 (training programs), and 22 AAC 05 (DOC facility rules, including staff training, use of force, discipline, and segregation) ([Alaska Administrative Code](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp#13.85.210)).
- **Minimum standards:** At hire, a DOC probation, parole, or correctional officer must be a U.S. citizen or national, 21 or older, of good moral character, with a high school diploma or GED, certified physically capable by a licensed medical provider, and must take the DOC psychological screening and be free of disqualifying emotional disorder. Disqualifiers include any felony or misdemeanor domestic violence conviction; within the prior 10 years, a crime of dishonesty or moral turpitude, a crime causing serious physical injury, or two DUIs; drug trafficking; illegal drug use within 5 years; marijuana use within 1 year; and a denied, revoked, surrendered, or suspended certificate anywhere. DOC must confirm compliance within 90 days. Municipal correctional officers may be 19 and have a 3-year look-back ([13 AAC 85.210, 85.215](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp#13.85.210)). Employment without a basic certificate is capped at 14 months, extendable by up to 6 (13 AAC 85.220).
- **Basic training:** Correctional officers complete a DOC initial program of at least 40 hours within 30 days of hire (including CPR and first aid, the code of conduct, an overview of use-of-force policy, PREA, and suicide awareness), then a correctional officer academy of at least 200 hours before the end of probation, covering security and custody, use of force, firearms and less-lethal certification, restraints, mental health and suicide prevention, and legal issues including 22 AAC 05 and AS 33. Municipal correctional officers need at least 120 hours. Passing requires 70% in each block and overall, 75% on firearms, and no more than 10% excused absence ([13 AAC 87.060, 87.080](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp#13.87.060)). A basic certificate also requires field training, 12 consecutive months of probationary service, and subscribing to the corrections Code of Ethics (13 AAC 85.230).
- **In-service training:** No mandatory annual in-service hours for correctional, probation, or parole officers were found in AS 18.65 or 13 AAC 85. APSC must set in-service curriculum requirements (AS 18.65.220(3)), and DOC must test correctional officers “periodically for proficiency in firearms and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation” ([22 AAC 05.195(b)](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp#22.05.195)). Intermediate, advanced, supervisory, and management certificates use training-hour formulas (13 AAC 85.230, 85.232).
- **Decertification:** The council “may revoke” for a falsified application, discharge or resignation under threat of discharge for inefficiency, incompetence, or conduct detrimental to the agency, or failing the hiring standards. It “will revoke” for a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction, a felony or listed misdemeanor after hire, marijuana or illegal drug use or drug dealing after hire, or discharge for conduct raising “substantial doubt about an individual’s honesty, fairness, and respect for the rights of others” ([13 AAC 85.270](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp#13.85.270); AS 18.65.245). An employer’s personnel action or appeal does not bar revocation, and a revoked officer may petition for rescission after 1 year. Agencies must report hires and separations within 30 days, say whether a resignation was to avoid adverse action, report sustained misconduct that may justify revocation, and may not agree not to report (13 AAC 85.250). No law requires a public list; APSC posts revocation and surrender orders on its Council Decisions page (see the [Officer Ledger page](https://uscli.org/officer-certification-tracker/alaska)).
- **Jail standards:** No separate jail standards board. DOC itself operates the State’s jails and prisons (AS 33.30). When DOC contracts with a community jail (a municipal jail holding state prisoners) or another agency, the commissioner “may not enter into an agreement with an agency unable to provide a degree of custody, care, and discipline similar to that required by the laws of this state” ([AS 33.30.031(a)](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#33.30.031); 22 AAC 05.300).
- **Probation and parole officers:** DOC employees certified by APSC under the same rules as correctional officers (AS 18.65.242, 18.65.248; 13 AAC 85.210, 85.230). They complete the 40-hour DOC initial program within 30 days of hire and a 200-hour probation and parole officer academy before the end of probation, covering risk assessment, interviewing, firearms familiarization, use of force, and supervision techniques ([13 AAC 87.060(b)](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp#13.87.060)), plus field training and 12 months of probationary service.
- **Restrictive housing:** By regulation, not statute. Administrative segregation is limited to listed grounds, such as a substantial and immediate threat to security, protective custody, or behavior requiring “the most restrictive housing.” The superintendent must review the placement within 1 working day, a classification hearing is due within 3 working days with 48 hours’ notice, and review hearings must come at intervals of no more than 30 days ([22 AAC 05.485](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp#22.05.485)). Punitive segregation may not exceed 20 days for a low-moderate, 40 for a high-moderate, or 60 for a major infraction (22 AAC 05.470). Prisoners in segregation get at least 1 hour a day out of cell for exercise (22 AAC 05.165).
- **Corrections use of force:** By regulation, staff may not use physical force, chemical agents, or mechanical restraints, or deprive a prisoner of clothing, except in self-defense, to protect a person from imminent harm, to enforce a lawful order against physical resistance, to carry out medical instructions, to prevent escape or serious property damage, or in a search, and only as long as reasonably necessary. Force “must always be limited to the extent reasonably necessary,” and force, nudity, restraints, or chemical agents may never be used as punishment. Chemical agents need the superintendent’s prior authorization and staff training, and exposed prisoners must be medically examined ([22 AAC 05.060](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp#22.05.060)). No statute or regulation specific to restraining pregnant prisoners was found.

## Changes, 2023 to 2026

- Jul 1, 2026 — **Correctional officers may enroll in the new address confidentiality program** — HB 239 (34th Legislature), ch. 9 SLA 2026, sec. 75, adding AS 44.21.022 · Became law without the governor’s signature June 18, 2026; effective July 1, 2026 (sec. 94) — The Department of Administration runs a new address confidentiality program. Eligible participants include victims of domestic violence and similar crimes, “(3) a peace officer; (4) a correctional officer; and (5) a household member” of an enrolled participant. “Correctional officer” covers DOC officers, correctional facility employees with custody duties, and full-time municipal correctional officers in municipalities that adopted the APSC standards. — **For corrections staff:** You can apply to keep your home address out of public records. — [Enrolled HB 239](https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/34/Bills/HB0239Z.PDF)[HB 239 bill history](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB%20239)
- Jul 1, 2026 — **Commissioner may grant medical release on electronic monitoring** — HB 239 (34th Legislature), ch. 9 SLA 2026, sec. 73, adding AS 33.30.068 · Became law without the governor’s signature June 18, 2026; effective July 1, 2026 (sec. 94) — The Corrections commissioner may authorize medical release of a prisoner whom DOC’s chief medical officer finds has a terminal, permanent, or progressively degenerative condition, or is in poor health, so that the prisoner will not pose a threat if released on electronic monitoring, where release saves medical costs. “A prisoner approved for release under this section shall remain subject to continuous electronic monitoring and supervision as directed by the commissioner,” or an alternative if the equipment would harm the prisoner’s health. The prisoner has no liberty interest in the status and may be returned immediately. Certain sex offenders are excluded. — **For corrections staff:** Expect a new caseload of medically released prisoners on continuous monitoring. — [Enrolled HB 239](https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/34/Bills/HB0239Z.PDF)
- Jul 1, 2026 — **Department of Corrections must employ a tribal liaison** — HB 239 (34th Legislature), ch. 9 SLA 2026, sec. 77, adding AS 44.28.040 · Became law without the governor’s signature June 18, 2026; effective July 1, 2026 (sec. 94) — “The Department of Corrections shall employ at least one person in the department to act as a tribal liaison” to support internal communication and collaboration on cultural programs and processes, and to work with communities and federally recognized tribes. — **For corrections staff:** DOC must have a designated contact for coordination with tribes. — [Enrolled HB 239](https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/34/Bills/HB0239Z.PDF)
- Nov 5, 2025 — **Rules for prisoner computers and tablets; no fees for email or video visits** — HB 35 (34th Legislature), ch. 25 SLA 2025, amending AS 33.30.015 and 33.30.105 · Became law without the governor’s signature August 7, 2025; effective November 5, 2025 — The commissioner may not let a prisoner keep a computer or electronic tablet in the cell, or use one other than those the facility approves, unless it is used for an approved purpose. Approved uses include compliance with a reentry or case plan, rehabilitation, employment, education, vocational training, access to legal reference materials, visitation, health care, and other purposes set by regulation. A state-operated facility may not charge a fee for electronic mail or electronic visitation services. The commissioner may not replace in-person visitation with tablets and, to the extent practicable, may not replace an existing rehabilitation program or service with them; tablets may supplement those programs or provide new ones. Prisoner identification cards issued before release must now be “substantially similar,” rather than identical, to a driver’s license. — **For corrections staff:** Tablets are allowed in cells only for approved uses, and in-person visits may not be replaced by video visits. — [Enrolled HB 35](https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/34/Bills/HB0035Z.PDF)[HB 35 bill history](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB%2035)
- Jan 19, 2025 — **Intermediate, advanced, supervisory, and management certificates for corrections, probation, and parole officers** — 13 AAC 85.230, 85.232, 85.235, and 85.237 (APSC; Register 253) · Filed December 20, 2024; effective January 19, 2025 — APSC amended 13 AAC 85.230 and 85.235 to set intermediate and advanced certificate levels, and added 85.232 and 85.237 for supervisory and management certificates, for probation, parole, correctional, and municipal correctional officers. A supervisory certificate requires an intermediate or advanced certificate, 12 months supervising, 80 hours of approved supervisor training, and 40 more hours. A management certificate requires a supervisory certificate, 12 months supervising first-line supervisors, 80 hours of management training, and 40 more hours. The proposal notice lists only 85.230, 85.232, 85.235, and 85.237 for corrections officers; the adoption notice describes a wider range of sections, and the filed text was not compared with it. — **For corrections staff:** You can earn optional higher certificates that record supervisory and management training. — [Adoption notice](https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=217909)[Proposal notice](https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=213944)[13 AAC 85.232](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp#13.85.232)
- Dec 4, 2024 — **Confidential peer support counseling for correctional officers** — SB 103 (33rd Legislature), ch. 54 SLA 2024, adding AS 18.95.020 to 18.95.040 · Became law without the governor’s signature September 5, 2024; effective December 4, 2024 — Law enforcement agencies, emergency service providers, and the Department of Corrections may set up peer support counseling programs for staff who have gone through emotionally traumatic incidents at work, with trained employee peer counselors. Communications in a session are confidential, exempt from the Public Records Act, inadmissible, and not subject to discovery or subpoena. The exceptions cover threats of suicide or homicide, mandatory reports, child or vulnerable-adult abuse, and admissions of crimes. “Peace officer” for this purpose includes “a correctional officer; in this subparagraph, ‘correctional officer’ has the meaning given in AS 18.65.290.” — **For corrections staff:** What you tell a designated peer counselor after a critical incident stays confidential, with the listed exceptions. — [Enrolled SB 103](https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/33/Bills/SB0103Z.PDF)[SB 103 bill history](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/33?Root=SB%20103)

## Enacted, not yet in force, pending, and bills that did not pass

- **Board of Parole (HB 239, secs. 68 to 71):** from January 1, 2027 (sec. 92), the Board of Parole in DOC has seven members instead of five, with related changes to AS 33.16.020(b) and 33.16.030.

Not enacted: SB 126 (34th Legislature), which would have let the commissioner consolidate facilities or place prisoners out of state to cut housing costs, with long-term out-of-state prisoners housed apart from non-Alaska prisoners; it was last recorded in Senate Finance, and companion HB 172 stayed in House State Affairs. The 34th Legislature has adjourned. Only the Legislature’s corrections and law enforcement subject lists were checked for 2023 to 2026, so acts filed under other subjects may be missing.

## Checked and unchanged

- 13 AAC 87.060 (40-hour initial program and 200-hour academies) and 13 AAC 85.210 (age 21): the Legislature’s print view of the Administrative Code omits history notes, so whether either changed from 2023 to 2026 was not confirmed.
- Not reviewed: the amendment history of 22 AAC 05 (use of force and segregation), DOC policies on restraining pregnant prisoners, and the APSC Council Decisions orders, which were not counted for corrections officers.