Corrections Section
The Corrections Section plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of Alaska’s correctional system. This team provides agency advice to the Department of Corrections (DOC), supports the Criminal Division in pretrial services, and defends DOC and its employees in a wide range of litigation cases filed against the department. These cases include administrative appeal of disciplinary decisions, civil rights lawsuits, and other complex legal challenges that arise from incarceration.
Attorneys in this section handle litigation involving claims such as:
- Alleged violations of constitutional rights (e.g., Eighth Amendment claims of cruel and unusual punishment or inadequate medical care)
- Due process challenges related to disciplinary proceedings or parole decisions
- Religious accommodation disputes under the First Amendment or RLUIPA
- Conditions-of-confinement claims, including overcrowding or access to mental health services
- Use-of-force allegations involving correctional officers
- Habeas corpus petitions and post-conviction relief efforts challenging criminal convictions or sentences
In addition to litigation, the section provides ongoing legal advice and representation to the Department of Corrections and the Division of Risk Management. This includes guidance on policy development, training, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure compliance with state and federal law along with providing legal support for agency operations, contract and procurement review, and responding to public record and other information requests. The section also provides assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement by filing actions to related to illegal sentences and compelling compliance with statutory mandates regarding individuals in DOC custody.
The work is legally diverse and intellectually rigorous—ideal for attorneys who thrive in a providing high-level legal advice or operating in a litigation-heavy environment and are passionate about public service. The section’s caseload spans state and federal courts, offering opportunities to engage in motion practice, discovery, trials, and appeals.
Behind this important work is a dedicated team of attorneys and legal support staff who bring professionalism, resilience, and a strong sense of mission to every case. Their efforts help balance the rights of incarcerated individuals with the safety and operational needs of Alaska’s correctional institutions.
Section Contact
For further information on the Corrections Section contact:
Kevin Dilg
Chief Assistant Attorney General, Section Supervisor
907-269-5190