Section 09.19.200. Correctional facility litigation.

   (a) Except as provided in (b) and (e) of this section, a court may not order prospective relief in a civil action with respect to correctional facility conditions unless the court finds that (1) the plaintiff has proven a violation of a state or federal right, (2) the prospective relief is narrowly drawn and extends no further than is necessary to correct the violation of the right, (3) the prospective relief is the least intrusive means necessary to correct the violation of the right, and (4) the prisoner exhausted all administrative remedies available to the prisoner before filing the civil action. When a court finds multiple violations of a state or federal right, when multiple remedies are ordered by the prospective relief, or when prospective relief applies to multiple correctional facilities, the findings required by this subsection shall be made as to each violation, each remedy, and each facility, as appropriate. In a civil action with respect to correctional facility conditions that has been certified as a class action, prospective relief applicable to the class may only be ordered after the court makes the findings required by this subsection and finds that the violation of a state or federal right is applicable to the entire class. In making the findings required under this subsection, the court shall give substantial weight to any adverse effect on public safety or the operation of a criminal justice system caused by the prospective relief.
   (b) In a civil action with respect to correctional facility conditions, to the extent otherwise authorized by law, the court may enter a temporary restraining order or an order for preliminary injunctive relief only if the court finds that the relief is (1) narrowly drawn and extends no further than is necessary to correct the harm that requires preliminary relief, and (2) the least intrusive means necessary to correct that harm. In making the findings required under this subsection, the court shall give substantial weight to any adverse effect on public safety or the operation of a criminal justice system caused by the preliminary relief. Preliminary injunctive relief shall automatically expire 90 days after the entry of the order unless the court orders final relief in the civil action before the expiration of the 90-day period.
   (c) Prospective relief ordered in a civil action with respect to correctional facility conditions, including prospective relief ordered under a consent decree, regardless of whether that civil action was filed or the relief ordered before or after August 30, 1999, shall be terminated upon the motion of the defendant unless the court finds that there exists a current violation of a state or federal right and makes the findings required by (a) of this section as to each current violation and as to each remedy and facility, as appropriate. A civil action that has been certified as a class action shall be terminated upon the motion of the defendant unless the court makes the findings required by this subsection and finds that the current violation of a state or federal right is applicable to the entire class. Prospective relief must be modified upon the motion of a party whenever, and to the extent, the findings required by this section no longer apply to one or more provisions of the prospective relief then in effect. This subsection and the time limits provided in (d) of this section do not prevent a party from seeking modification or termination before the relief is otherwise terminable under this section to the extent that modification or termination would otherwise be legally permissible.
   (d) A defendant may not file a motion to modify or terminate under (c) of this section until
        (1) two years after the date the court ordered the prospective relief if the order occurred after August 30, 1999;
        (2) one year after the date the court entered an order denying modification or termination of prospective relief made under (1) or (3) of this subsection; or
        (3) in the case of an order issued on or before August 30, 1999, one year after August 30, 1999.
   (e) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, in a civil action with respect to correctional facility conditions, a court may order prospective relief as provided in a consent decree without complying with (a) of this section, provided the prospective relief does not continue for a period of more than two years unless the court finds and orders that the continuation of the relief is appropriate under the standards in (c) of this section. In addition, parties may enter into private settlement agreements that do not comply with the limitations of relief set out in (a) of this section if the terms of the agreements are not subject to court enforcement other than the reinstatement of the civil proceedings that the agreements settled.
   (f) The court shall promptly rule on a motion to modify or terminate prospective relief in a civil action with respect to correctional facility conditions. A motion to modify or terminate prospective relief made under this section stays the order for prospective relief beginning on the 90th day after the motion is filed, and the stay ends on the date the court enters a final order ruling on the motion. An automatic stay under this subsection may be postponed by the court for not more than 30 days for good cause.
   (g) In this section,
        (1) "civil action with respect to correctional facility conditions" means a civil proceeding arising under state or federal law with respect to the conditions of confinement or the effects of actions by government officials on the lives of persons confined in correctional facilities;
        (2) "consent decree" means a court order that is based on the agreement of the parties; the term "consent decree" does not include a private settlement agreement;
        (3) "prisoner"
             (A) means a person held in a state correctional facility or under authority of state or municipal law in official detention as defined in AS 11.81.900(b);
             (B) includes a minor committed to the custody of the commissioner when,
                  (i) under AS 47.12.030, 47.12.065, or 47.12.100, the minor has been charged, prosecuted, or convicted as an adult; or
                  (ii) under AS 47.12.160(e), the minor has been ordered transferred to the custody of the commissioner of corrections or a municipality;
        (4) "private settlement agreement" means an agreement entered into among the parties that is not subject to judicial enforcement other than the reinstatement of the civil proceeding that the agreement settled;
        (5) "prospective relief" means all relief other than compensatory monetary damages;
        (6) "relief" means any legal or equitable remedy in any form that may be ordered by the court, and includes a consent decree but does not include a private settlement agreement;
        (7) "state or federal right" means a right arising from the United States Constitution, the Constitution of the State of Alaska, or a federal or state statute.

Notes

History

(Sec. 2 ch 42 SLA 1999)