ACLU Sues Alaska DOC Over Inadequate Inmate Healthcare

On May 1, 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alaska, in partnership with the ACLU National Prison Project, filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC), Governor Mike Dunleavy, and state corrections officials. The lawsuit alleges systemic inadequacies in the provision of medical, mental health, and dental care to incarcerated individuals within Alaska's correctional facilities.

The suit claims that the DOC routinely denies essential healthcare services, particularly to pretrial detainees, leading to prolonged suffering and delayed justice due to court system inefficiencies. Specific instances cited include the denial of necessary eye surgeries and dental care beyond extractions. The lawsuit also highlights broader issues such as insufficient healthcare staffing, lack of timely or appropriate medical and specialty care, and denial of assistive devices.

With approximately 4,400 individuals in custody at any given time, the lawsuit seeks a judicial order requiring the state to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to address these deficiencies.

As of the filing date, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Law had not formally responded, stating they had not yet received the lawsuit.

This legal action is part of a series of lawsuits filed by the ACLU of Alaska against the DOC. In March 2025, the ACLU filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of Lewis Jordan Jr., an incarcerated man who died of bacterial meningitis in 2023 after his medical condition was allegedly ignored by DOC staff. The lawsuit asserts that DOC acted with deliberate indifference, leading to Jordan's preventable death.

Additionally, in November 2023, the ACLU filed a class-action lawsuit against the DOC for denying religious accommodations to Muslim detainees at the Anchorage Correctional Complex. The suit alleged violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and constitutional rights.

The ACLU's recent lawsuit against the Alaska Department of Corrections brings to light critical issues regarding the provision of healthcare to incarcerated individuals. As the case progresses, it will be essential to monitor the state's response and any resulting changes to policies and practices within the DOC.