NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON INMATE MAIL

IN THE REGULATIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The Department of Corrections proposes to change regulations on inmate mail and definitions.

The Department of Corrections (DOC) proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 22, Chapter 5 (22 AAC 05) of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with inmate mail and definitions, including the following:

(1)       22 AAC 05.520 is proposed to be changed as follows: Amendments to the mail policy regulation concerning the acceptable standards for incoming and outgoing mail, prisoner-to-prisoner mail, and procedures for privileged mail.

(2)       22 AAC 05.660(a) is amended to add additional definitions.

You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to Rachel Turner, PO Box 11200, Juneau, AK 99801. Additionally, DOC will accept comments by facsimile at 907.465.3315 and by electronic mail at DOCregulations@alaska.gov. Comments may also be submitted through the Alaska Online Public Notice System, by accessing this notice on the system and using the comment link. The comments must be received not later than 4:30 p.m. on November 2, 2024.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Rachel Turner, PO Box 112000, Juneau, AK 99801 or by email at DOCregulations@alaska.gov. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. DOC will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Rachel Turner at DOCregulations@alaska.gov or 907.465.3182 not later than November 11, 2024 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Rachel Turner via email at DOCregulations@alaska.gov.

After the public comment period ends, DOC will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.

Statutory authority: AS 33.30.011; AS 33.30.021; AS 44.28.030

Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 33.30.011; AS 33.30.015

Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.

DOC keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all of the Department of Corrections notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Department of Corrections at DOCregulations@alaska.gov, giving your name, and your e-mail address for receiving notices.

Individuals can also signup to receive automated notifications of all State of Alaska notices, including public notice for regulation changes, by subscribing to the Alaska Online Public Notices System: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx.

Date:   October 2, 2024

   Rachel Turner                        

Rachel Turner

Legislative Liaison

Department of Corrections