Issues and Ales: Alabama’s Prison System

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2014/06/tutwilerprison.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:620;s:6:"height";i:486;s:4:"file";s:26:"2014/06/tutwilerprison.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:10:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"tutwilerprison-336x263.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:263;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"tutwilerprison-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:24:"tutwilerprison-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"tutwilerprison-620x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:620;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"tutwilerprison-600x486.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:486;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"tutwilerprison-397x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:397;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"tutwilerprison-338x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:338;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"tutwilerprison-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"tutwilerprison-600x486.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:486;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"tutwilerprison-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:235982;s:14:"optimized_size";i:169479;s:7:"percent";d:28.18;}s:5:"sizes";a:9:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:54:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/06/tutwilerprison.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:61731;s:14:"optimized_size";i:45157;s:7:"percent";d:26.850000000000001;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:62:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/06/tutwilerprison-336x263.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:25646;s:14:"optimized_size";i:18216;s:7:"percent";d:28.969999999999999;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:60:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/06/tutwilerprison-80x80.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:3238;s:14:"optimized_size";i:3222;s:7:"percent";d:0.48999999999999999;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:62:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/06/tutwilerprison-600x338.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:58217;s:14:"optimized_size";i:41622;s:7:"percent";d:28.510000000000002;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:62:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/06/tutwilerprison-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:26310;s:14:"optimized_size";i:18504;s:7:"percent";d:29.670000000000002;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:62:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/06/tutwilerprison-397x311.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:34398;s:14:"optimized_size";i:24067;s:7:"percent";d:30.030000000000001;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:62:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/06/tutwilerprison-338x265.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:26442;s:14:"optimized_size";i:18691;s:7:"percent";d:29.309999999999999;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1636098838 
1402963200

Issues within the Alabama prison system impact the culture and economy of Alabama, affecting thousands of lives across the state every day. What are the causes for concern? Who is responsible? Why does it matter to you?

WBHM explored this topic at “Issues & Ales: Alabama’s Prison System,” hosted by Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM in collaboration with AL.com/The Alabama Media Group and The Center for Investigative Reporting on Tuesday, June 17, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at WorkPlay, 500 23rd St. South.

This panel discussion focused on what Alabama residents want from the prison and criminal justice systems and how policy makers and communities can punish wrongdoing, rehabilitate offenders and, by extension, reduce crime in Alabama.

Panelists included:

  • Dr. Alison Chapman, UAB professor and coordinator of UAB’s prison lecture series
  • Dr. Hank Dasinger, President J. F. Ingram State Technical College
  • Cynthia Dillard, Executive Director, The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles
  • Kira Fonteneau, Jefferson County Public Defender
  • Shay Golden, former inmate and attorney
  • Juanida Pitts, former inmate now working to rehabilitate offenders
  • Jeh Jeh Pruitt, Co-founder of the Dannon Project
  • Jeremy Sherer, (Contractor) Community Outreach Specialist for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Alabama
  • Kelsey Stein, Alabama Media Group/AL.com courts and crime reporter
  • Kim Thomas, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner
  • Alabama State Sen. Cam Ward

Doors opened at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m. The event was free, and food and beverages was be available for purchase from Off the Hook food truck and WorkPlay. Issues & Ales is part of the outreach effort of Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM, a listener-supported service of UAB and the station where you can listen and be heard.

For event updates, follow us on Facebook and join our event!

 

Puerto Rico holds general election that promises to be historic

Puerto Rico is holding elections that will be historic regardless of which of the top two gubernatorial candidates wins.

Boeing machinists approve contract, bringing an end to a bruising seven-week strike

Striking machinists voted to approve an agreement that will hike wages by 38%. The deal was endorsed by union leaders, who warned that Boeing’s next offer might be worse.

States and cities beef up security to prepare for potential election-related violence

Washington state's governor activated the National Guard to stand by to help local law enforcement as needed. Meanwhile, extra security is in place at locations across Washington, D.C.

When will mail-in and absentee ballots be counted?

Various state rules regarding when election officials can process and count mail ballots means it will likely take some time after Election Day before the results from these ballots are fully known.

When do polls close in every state? Here’s a timeline

The Associated Press can't call any races until polls close in their respective state. Here's a breakdown of when that will happen.

How has the Electoral College survived, despite being perennially unpopular?

Despite its substantial-sounding name, the Electoral College isn’t a permanent body: It’s more of a process. For decades, a majority of Americans have wanted it to be changed.

More Issues and Ales Coverage