Cook is the third person to die in Alaska Department of Corrections custody this year. And his death fits a pattern.
"Megan Edge"
ACLU sues Alaska prison system over forced medication policy
Corrections policy is supposed to limit involuntary medication to emergency, last-resort situations when there is imminent danger.
The unseen driver of Alaska’s record jail deaths: Suicide
The Anchorage Daily News obtained and reviewed Alaska State Troopers investigation reports and medical examiner records, and spoke with family members, advocates and prison officials. Here’s what they found.
Advocates still hopeful about legislation to give youth sentenced as adults an earlier chance at parole
The bill wouldn’t guarantee parole for those people, but it would give them a chance in front of the Alaska Parole Board.
Administration says Corrections deaths not ‘unusual,’ ACLU says it’s deflecting responsibility
None of the 15 people to die in Alaska Department of Corrections custody in 2022 so far “died as a result of others,” according to Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Acting Corrections Commissioner Jen Winkelman also said the deaths were not “unusual.”
As people die in Alaska prisons, reform advocates are calling for independent investigation
With the death of William Hensely III on Sunday, Corrections matches the highest number of in-custody deaths the department has seen in the past decade. In 2015, 15 people died in Corrections custody.
Two people died after just one day in Alaska corrections custody last month
Several deaths in the past few years took place within days or weeks of being taken into custody.
Juneau Police are collecting DNA samples from people with certain past convictions
During interactions with the police, people in Juneau with prior convictions could be asked to provide a DNA sample.
Shuttered for 5 years, Palmer prison set to reopen to mixed enthusiasm
The Palmer Correctional Center in Sutton is finishing up a nearly $17 million renovation project and is scheduled to reopen Monday, about 5 years since it was shut down.
The number of Alaskans released on discretionary parole fell sharply in 2020
Only about 16% of inmates who applied for discretionary parole were released in 2020, down from a high of 66% in 2015.