Beyond the Revolving Door: Alaska’s Shifting Recidivism Rates

"These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on 'em. That's institutionalized." That is a quote from the movie 'The Shawshank Redemption,' as the character Red describing the psychological trap of prison, making the return to the outside a terrifying prospect for many.

Decades later, this cinematic theme remains a stark reality for the American justice system, where high recidivism rates—with approximately 70% of former inmates reoffending within five years—suggest that the transition from the confines of prison walls to a rapidly changing society is a bridge for some former inmates they are unable to cross.

Earlier this month, I wrote the work being done at the Mat-Su Reentry Coalition (MSRC) with a former inmate, known simply as Todd, how the coalition helped him during those crucial first months after his release.

While speaking with him, Todd spoke about recidivism--the likelihood former inmates find themselves back in prison—and his determination to not be one of those statistics

The state experiences some of the highest recidivism rates in the U.S., with recent data highlighting a 66.4% rate for certain high-risk populations. In FY22, the rate of offenders returning to incarceration within three years of release was 55.7%, indicating a decrease from FY13, when the rate was 67%.

Probation and Parole’s increased efforts to provide effective supervision has also lowered recidivism rates over the last decade. Probation and Parole officers offer guidance, resources, and monitoring to help offenders comply with their release terms and avoid returning to incarceration, thereby reducing recidivism rates.

Re-offending rates vary by parole supervision type, with 47% of discretionary parolees--in which an inmate is released from prison before their sentence expires, decided by a parole board based on rehabilitative progress, behavior, and risk assessments--returning to prison within three years, compared to 67% of mandatory parolees.

As of January 30, 2026, the percentage of probationers and parolees who have successfully satisfy court ordered conditions of release is 84.71%, with 648 successful discharges out of 765 released offenders.

That same report says that proactively supervising probationers and parolees will enhance their successful re-entry in their community, increasing the number of successful discharges. “Proactive supervision targets proven supervision methods that are known to decrease the likelihood of failure in the community or causing future harm through assessing risk to reoffend, employing motivational interviewing techniques and tailoring supervision strategies to address criminogenic needs (i.e., housing, treatment, criminal attitudes, pro-social activities, etc.).”

However, identifying and finding available or limited community resources for probationers and parolees can create substantial challenges when looking for housing, employment, substance abuse treatment, and mental health counseling.

Todd says he owes most of his success to the MSRC and the case managers he has worked with. “Every time I’ve needed something, they’re there to help.”

Alaska Department of Corrections (AK DOC) has seen a significant decline in recidivism rates, with the period from 2020 to 2022 showing the lowest rates in recent history. This trend reflects the Department’s continued, focused efforts to develop and implement evidence-based reentry programs, as well as collaborative efforts to work with community providers and reentry coalitions.

Efforts over the past several years to implement evidence-based reentry programs have been substantial and are evident in the declining recidivism rates. Unlike 44 other state prison systems, Alaska’s prisons house both felony and misdemeanor offenders (both sentenced and un-sentenced). AK DOC focuses on measuring the recidivism of releasing felons, with the primary reason being that felons are in prison longer, which means they are more likely to participate in reentry programming.

These programs equip offenders with the skills and support they need to reintegrate into their communities. AK DOC continuously seeks to improve and expand these programs and partnerships to further reduce recidivism.

Todd says that he is not worried about re-offending, and is determined to succeed. “Re-entry success for me is very important. I lost a chunk of my life. I lost a son while I was incarcerated. I lost family, I lost friends.” It is the estrangement from his children that Todd says is a driving force for him to succeed. He says that since he’s been out, he has done new things that are helping him, such as losing weight, running and participating in races, has a girlfriend, a new job, and overall, he is proud of himself.

The AK DOC’s success in reducing recidivism is a significant achievement that benefits everyone. Lower recidivism rates mean fewer crimes and safer communities. It also ensures that public funds are used more effectively, providing better outcomes for taxpayers.

By continuing to support and enhance programs like the Mat-Su Reentry Coalition, former offenders have an opportunity to become productive members of society, contributing to a stronger, safer, and more interconnected community. This ongoing commitment not only supports those leaving correctional facilities, but also enhances public safety and community well-being.

For more information about the 2024 Alaska Office of Management and Budget report, please visit www.omb.alaska.gov.

For more information about the MSRC, please visit www.akreentry.org/matsu-reentry-coalition