Criminal Data and Probation by State Alaska

Traditionally, Alaska was characterized by relatively low crime rates. However, in recent years the crime statistics tends to grow and this fact is really disturbing because it threatens to the normal social life in the state, though the level of crime rates in Alaska is not critical. At the same time, it should be said that the number of crime rate within last five-six years has increased considerably from 3,735 in 2000 to 4,610 in 2006. It should be said that the number of violent crimes in Alaska grew steadily. In this respect, it should be said that the number of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter has increased substantially from 27 in 2000 to 36 in 2006, but it should be said the situation with forcible rapes remain relatively stable since from 2000 to 2006 the number of such crimes increased from 497 to 509. In this regard, the problem of the growth of the number of robberies seems to be more serious since robberies increased from 490 in 2000 to 605 in 2006. As for the aggravated assault, this crime has the similar trend to growth since it has increased from 2,540 in 2000 to 3,460 in 2006.

Similarly, the number of property crimes has also increased significantly from 23,087 in 2000 to 24,155 in 2006. It should be said that practically all types of property crimes have increased in number within last six years. To put it more precisely, the number of burglaries has increased from 3,899 in 2000 to 4,136 in 2006, while larceny thefts have increased from 16,838 in 2000 to 17,490 in 2006. As for the number of motor vehicle thefts, it has increased not significantly compared to other property crimes, from 2,350 in 2000 to 2,595 in 2006. Speaking about the probation population in the region, it also tends to grow that is apparently determined by the steady growth of the crime rates in Alaska. During 2006, the number of people on probation in Alaska has increased from 5,680 at the beginning of the year to 6,095 by the end of the year (See Table 1).

Furthermore, offenders have the right of pardon in Alaska. Basically, pardon is a form of executive clemency, which if full and unconditional, relieves an offender from further punishment and disabilities imposed by reason of a conviction of a criminal offense. It is an act of grace which represents forgiveness for a particular crime.  The pardon is given by the governor of the state on the basis of the decision of the Board of Parole, which investigates each case and recommends the governor to take the decision on executive clemency and pardon of an offender. There several types of pardon: conditional pardon, full pardon, general pardon, partial pardon and unconditional pardon.



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