SPLC Proposes ‘Collaborative Process’ to Address Prison Crisis
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) sent a letter Tuesday to Gov. Kay Ivey and Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn proposing its own plan to address the state’s prison crisis.
“Our prison system is facing a crisis of Alabama’s own making and, like you, we believe in an Alabama solution,” the letter reads. “Our hope is that this letter is the first step in a collaborative process to address the deficiencies in the state’s prisons, protect the rights of incarcerated people, and ensure the safety of incarcerated people and state.”
Alabama’s prisons are significantly overcrowded and understaffed, with record-high levels of violence and suicide. In its letter, the SPLC responds to state efforts to address these issues and outlines recommendations for prison construction, improving staffing levels and sentencing reform.
Earlier this year, Ivey and commissioner Dunn announced a plan to replace several men’s prisons with three larger regional prisons that would house over 3,000 inmates each. The SPLC says it opposes this plan and instead suggests replacing two current prisons with buildings that would house no more than 1,000 inmates each. It also recommends constructing a prison devoted to medical and mental health services.
ADOC has requested an additional $31 million from the state budget to hire an extra 500 correctional officers. The SPLC says that is not enough and suggests increasing the request to support hiring more than 1,000 officers.
“The SPLC stands ready to work with the governor, with the commissioner, with the legislature and any other Alabama leaders and advocates, because we hope to solve this crisis,” SPLC attorney Ebony Howard said in a Tuesday press conference.
Officials with the governor’s office and the Alabama Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The issue of prison reform has recently become more urgent for state leaders. Just last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a report detailing gruesome acts of violence and sexual assault in state prisons. The report lists several short- and long-term measures for the department to improve conditions. The DOJ says if the state does not comply within 49 days of receiving the report, it could face a federal lawsuit by the U.S. Attorney General.
ADOC is already involved in a class-action federal lawsuit about insufficient mental health and medical care of state inmates. The case, Braggs v. Dunn, began in 2014 and has resulted in court orders against the ADOC to increase staffing levels and improve mental health treatment of inmates. The SPLC is one of the plaintiffs on the case. In its letter to Gov. Ivey and commissioner Dunn, the group says litigation has cost the state millions of dollars and that it is “open to discussing potential resolutions to the issues in Braggs.” The SPLC also says litigation will likely continue for several more years if ADOC does not make adequate changes.
Note: The Southern Poverty Law Center is a sponsor of WBHM, but our news and business departments work independently.
Israeli strikes kill 23 Palestinians as Gaza ceasefire inches forward
Hospitals in Gaza said Israeli strikes killed at least 23 Palestinians Saturday, one of the highest tolls since the October ceasefire aimed at stopping the fighting.
With decades-long restrictions lifted, a Pakistani brewery has started exporting beer
Drinking is illegal for Pakistan's Muslim majority, but Murree Brewery's beer has long been available to non-Muslims and foreigners there. Now it's being exported to the U.K., Japan and Portugal. Is the U.S. next?
A red hat, inspired by a symbol of resistance to Nazi occupation, gains traction in Minnesota
A Minneapolis knitting shop has resurrected the design of a Norwegian cap worn to protest Nazi occupation. Its owner says the money raised from hat pattern sales will support the local immigrant community.
Want to get stronger? Start with these 6 muscle-building exercises
If you're curious about starting a resistance training routine and not sure to begin, start with these expert-recommended movements.
Venezuela announces amnesty bill that could lead to release of political prisoners
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Friday announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners detained for political reasons.
DHS keeps making false claims about people. It’s part of a broader pattern
Trump administration officials have falsely linked Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good to domestic terrorism. It's part of a larger pattern by the Department of Homeland Security.
