ANCHORAGE – Governor Bill Walker announced new leadership for the Department of Corrections Monday. Walter Monegan III was named Interim Commissioner of the state agency, which oversees the confinement of inmates living in correctional facilities, halfway houses, and community jails across Alaska. This announcement comes in conjunction with the release of Governor Walker’s administrative review of the Department of Corrections and its facilities.
“The core values of this administration include public trust, respect, and community service. Everything we say and do as an administration must reflect these values, and that begins with the leadership in every department,” said Governor Walker. “I have asked Walt Monegan to step in as the Department of Corrections Interim Commissioner to help us get our house in order, and begin DOC on a path to build public trust and restore integrity.”
Walt Monegan brings to this new role extensive experience in Alaska’s public safety and criminal justice sectors. Mr. Monegan began his career in public service as a member of the United States Marine Corps, and later as a volunteer firefighter and medic. He went on to serve more than 33 years with the Anchorage Police Department, including five years as Chief of Police from 2001 to 2006. Upon retirement from APD, Mr. Monegan was appointed Commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Public Safety from 2006 to 2008. Most recently, he was President of the Alaska Native Justice Center, a non-profit agency advocating for equality in Alaska’s justice system.[xyz-ihs snippet=”adsense-body-ad”]
Governor Walker also released his office’s administrative review of the Department of Corrections today. This report follows an 11-week review of DOC by Special Assistant Dean Williams and retired FBI agent Joe Hanlon. The report was prompted by several high-profile inmate deaths, and concerns expressed by lawmakers and the general public.
After visits to the state correctional facilities, interviews with superintendents and other DOC employees, reviews of inmate deaths, and correspondence with current and former inmates, the review team recommended multiple departmental changes, including:
· Develop strict guidelines to ensure all department policies are updated within six months;
· Develop a chain of command putting superintendents in supervisory control of all employees within a facility;
· Establish a clear priority to reduce solitary confinement and establish benchmarks of progress;
· Develop appropriate alternatives to admitting intoxicated individuals in prison for protective custody;
· And develop policies and practices that ensure correctional officers are properly trained before assuming duty posts, and receive ongoing professional training and evaluation.
Also as a result of the review, Mr. Williams and Mr. Hanlon recommended new protocols and procedures in investigating inmate deaths.
“The state has a valid interest in making sure its Department of Corrections is a thriving state agency that promotes inmate and public safety,” said Governor Walker. “A majority of inmates will ultimately be released, so it behooves us to ensure their time in our correctional facilities does not hinder their pursuit to a healthy life. This report is by no means the end of our effort to bring change to the Department of Corrections. I look forward to working with Walt to turn the page and regain the public’s trust in our corrections system.”
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