WBHM Politics: Working in Alabama’s Prisons

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2017/09/WBHM_Politics_Banner.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:340;s:4:"file";s:32:"2017/09/WBHM_Politics_Banner.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:7:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-336x190.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:190;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-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:30:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-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:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-549x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:549;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-468x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:468;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-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:{}}}
        )

)
1640212645 
1517478010

The list of problems facing Alabama’s prison system is long. Facilities are aging and overcrowded. There’s a federal lawsuit over inadequate mental healthcare for inmates. In the midst of all that are men and women who wake up each day and go to work in Alabama’s prisons. The experiences of employees can sometimes be missed as state leaders, policymakers and the public debate how to address the prison system’s issues.

We hear one view from Captain Joe Tew. He retired from the Department of Corrections and then returned last year to work part-time at the Donaldson Correctional Facility. Also on the podcast is journalist Tom Gordon. He wrote about corrections officers for a story published by Birmingham Watch and B-Metro.

Listen here or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play or NPR One.

 

Millions face wintry weather for what could be a record-setting holiday travel season

More than 119 million people are expected to travel for Christmas and Hanukkah, which both fall on the same day this year, through the New Year, according to AAA.

Review by Senate Democrats finds more unreported luxury trips by Clarence Thomas

A report by Democrats on the Judiciary Committee found additional travel taken in 2021 by Thomas but not reported on his annual financial disclosure, including trips on private jets and a yacht trip.

Where did Barry Jenkins feel safe as a kid? Atop a tree

Director Barry Jenkins is best known for films like "Moonlight" and "If Beale Street Could Talk." On Wild Card, he opens up about where he felt the safest as a kid.

Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 20, including five children

Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Sunday killed at least 20 people, including five children, Palestinian medical officials said.

I discovered one way to fight loneliness: The Germans call it a Stammtisch

Modern life can be lonely. Some are looking to an old German tradition – of drinking and conversation – to deepen connection through regular meetups.

This Christmas I’ll be grieving. Here’s how I’ll be finding joy.

Since her husband's death, newscaster Windsor Johnston has been looking for ways to recapture joy and continue her healing journey — one that's taken her to a place she'd never expected.

More Front Page Coverage