Sponsor Statement for House Bill 425

Anchorage Jail Replacement

HB 425 encourages the Department of Corrections to enter into an agreement with the Municipality of Anchorage to replace the Sixth Avenue Jail with a new jail facility. The Department of Corrections would then lease jail space from the new facility owned by the Municipality of Anchorage.

The bill requires the facility to be operated by a private third party contractor. The lease will be for a minimum of 308 beds and would include a clause that allows the Commissioner of Corrections to terminate the operating lease for cause.

HB 425 allows the replacement of the Sixth Avenue Jail with the Municipality of Anchorage financing and constructing the new jail. The state will pay the capital costs through the per diem rate charged to the department over approximately the next twenty-five years. The Municipality of Anchorage would be responsible for securing the operating contract.