Who We Are | Reentry Coalition

WHAT IS A REENTRY COALITION AND WHY DOES ALASKA HAVE THEM?

The Reentry Coalitions in Alaska emerged as part of a broader initiative to improve prisoner reentry outcomes and reduce recidivism rates in the state.

In 2014, the Alaska state legislature passed intent language in HB266, requiring various state departments and agencies to develop a comprehensive recidivism reduction plan. This led to the creation of the Alaska Prisoner Reentry Initiative (AK-PRI), which was a key strategy in the 2015 Recidivism Reduction Plan

As part of the AK-PRI, local Prisoner Reentry Coalitions were established to manage the needs of returning citizens in their communities. These coalitions typically consist of a cross-section of state and community-based service organizations. Originally, five active coalitions were formed in the service areas of Anchorage, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Palmer/Wasilla.

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority played a crucial role in supporting these coalitions by providing funds to secure full-time Prisoner Reentry Coalition coordinators in each of the five identified communities. These coordinators were tasked with assisting in community assessments, formalizing coordinated efforts among coalition members, and acting as an interface between the local coalition and the Department of Corrections.

Today, Alaska has nine reentry coalitions located in Anchorage, Mat-Su, Fairbanks, Kenai, Juneau, Dillingham, Nome, Ketchikan and Kodiak. These coalitions are supported by local, state, and federal resources, as well as in-kind support from local organizations, businesses, and volunteers.

Reentry Coalitions & The Mental Health Trust Authority

Trust beneficiaries are at increased risk for involvement with the criminal justice system, both as victims and defendants, due to their disabilities as well as gaps in community behavioral health and support systems. The disability justice focus area is aimed at reducing the involvement and recidivism of Trust beneficiaries in the criminal justice system.

Since 2005, the Trust’s board of trustees has directed significant funding and staff resources towards criminal justice reform efforts in Alaska to address this and other justice-related issues affecting beneficiaries, including reducing the involvement and recidivism of Trust beneficiaries in the criminal justice system as well as preventing the victimization of beneficiaries.

In 2014, the Trust funded a study of the prevalence and characteristics of Trust beneficiaries who entered, exited, or resided in an Alaska Department of Corrections facility between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2012. The study identified over 60,000 unique individuals, of which 30 percent identified as Trust beneficiaries. Additionally, Trust beneficiaries accounted for more than 40 percent of the incarcerations each year, and their median length of a jail/prison stay was significantly longer than for non-Trust beneficiary offenders. (Source: MHTA website)

Comprehensive Mental Health Program Plan

In partnership with The Trust, Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services, a 2nd Comprehensive Plan was determined, Strengthening the System II: Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan which identifies priorities for the next five years to inform planning and funding decisions to meet the needs of Trust beneficiaries for 2025-2029.

The disability justice initiative for Trust Beneficiaries aligns with these plan objectives:

Goal 7, Objective 7.3 Reduce the number of Trust beneficiaries entering or becoming involved with Alaska’s criminal justice system.
Goal 8, Objective 8.3 Enhance and expand access to clinical and case management resources for Alaskans who are incarcerated.

The Future of the Anchorage Reentry Coalition

Funding Note:

In Summer 2024, the Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees notified the Four Reentry Coalitions (Matsu, Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage) that they would be stepping back from future funding after nearly ten years due to Budget constraints. This funding includes the Coalition Coordinator role and will continue thru FY26, with a partial funding in FY27. The Coalition is actively pursuing alternative funding opportunities.

The Anchorage Reentry Coalition Coordinator will focus on expanding six key objectives targeting systems that encompass four priority areas identified through a Coalition Membership Survey conducted in early 2025. These efforts will aim to improve both systemic processes and direct support for individuals before and after their release from incarceration. By addressing these focus areas, the Coalition aims to create a more supportive and effective reentry process in Anchorage.

Strategic Goals:

• Coalition Capacity Building (membership engagement, feedback for planning)
• Community Awareness (outreach, simulations)
• Housing Opportunities (creating partnerships, funding)
• Collaboration (connection across 4 focus areas)
• Case Management (service delivery, community navigation)
• Resource Guidance (digital resource app, reentry clearinghouse)

4 Focus Areas

• Cops (law enforcement, public safety professionals in contact with CJ-involved)
• Courts (education, diversion, therapeutic courts)
• Corrections (knowledge about policies/proper protocols, release planning assistance)
• Community (service providers, nonprofit organization, state services, family/peers)

Key Objectives

Enhance Health Equity: Coordinate connection to Medicaid in order to Improve access to behavioral, mental, and physical health care.
Homelessness: Focus on creating partnerships that assist in the access, education and advocacy around housing for individuals reentering Anchorage.
Promote Rehabilitation: Support substance and alcohol misuse treatment programs, and other reentry specific programming.
Resource Guidance: Continue to develop Resource Guide/App Network.
Community Navigation: strengthen knowledge of community and other system supports for CJ Involved adults transitioning into the community.
Advocacy Efforts: Develop strategies to address misconceptions about formerly incarcerated individuals such as Simulations.