Print article An unsentenced inmate was pronounced dead Thursday after he suffered a medical emergency in his cell at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility in Palmer, according to the Alaska Department of Corrections. Gregory Rendon-Duarte, 39, was found unresponsive by correctional officers, and medical staff began lifesaving measures before the arrival of emergency medical personnel. Rendon-Duarte was pronounced dead just before 8 a.m. Thursday, a statement from the department said. Rendon-Duarte is the fifth inmate to die in the department’s custody this year. Officials said they do not suspect foul play and the death is not related to COVID-19.
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Alaska will allow public visits for all incarcerated people, removing vaccination requirement
Print article The Alaska Department of Corrections will reopen public visitation and remove a vaccination requirement for incarcerated people that drew concern from their advocates and families. Beginning Friday, no-contact public visits can resume with pandemic precautions in place, the corrections department said in a Wednesday statement. Visitors will be required to wear face masks and undergo a COVID-19 screening when they enter a correctional facility, the department said. Appointments are required and the secure visits will not allow for physical contact. Visitation will remain closed for people incarcerated at the Anchorage Correctional Complex due to recent COVID-19 cases, the department said.
Alaska to Allow Family Members to Visit Fully Vaccinated Inmates
Alaska is set to allow family members of fully vaccinated inmates to visit them in correctional facilities starting Wednesday, according to a Department of Corrections press release.
Public visitations in Alaska’s prisons were halted over a year ago, along with all nonessential access, due to concerns about COVID-19 outbreaks in correctional facilities.
“This has been a challenging year and we appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as we gradually restore our facilities to their pre-COVID operations,” Department of Corrections Commissioner Nancy Dahlstrom said in the release.
Visitation will be by appointment, physical contact will not be allowed, and masks will have to be worn, the release states. The resumption of family visits pertains to all correctional facilities statewide, except in Anchorage and Ketchikan, which are struggling with spikes in new infections.