Cam Ward Plans New Direction For Pardons And Paroles

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2020/12/Feature.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1920;s:6:"height";i:1080;s:4:"file";s:19:"2020/12/Feature.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:18:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-336x189.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:189;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-771x434.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:434;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-768x432.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:432;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"1536x1536";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"Feature-1536x864.jpg";s:5:"width";i:1536;s:6:"height";i:864;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Feature-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:19:"Feature-800x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:800;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-553x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:553;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-470x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"gb-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"gb-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:27:"web-stories-poster-portrait";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-640x853.jpg";s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:853;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"web-stories-poster-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-853x640.jpg";s:5:"width";i:853;s:6:"height";i:640;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"web-stories-poster-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"Feature-640x640.jpg";s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:640;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:26:"web-stories-publisher-logo";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Feature-96x96.jpg";s:5:"width";i:96;s:6:"height";i:96;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:21:"web-stories-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"Feature-150x84.jpg";s:5:"width";i:150;s:6:"height";i:84;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:{}}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Office of Gov. Kay Ivey
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1667203400 
1607002806

A state lawmaker who has long advocated for changes to the criminal justice system will lead Alabama’s Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. State Sen. Cam Ward from Alabaster, takes over the new role on Monday and will resign from his position in the Senate. 

Ward replaces outgoing director and former state judge Charlie Graddick, who announced his resignation last month. 

The transition marks the end of a contentious one-year term for Graddick, who was appointed in 2019 by Gov. Kay Ivey to restructure the agency. 

Graddick’s office said he made many improvements, hiring dozens of probation and parole officers and upgrading facilities. But Graddick has been criticized for discouraging paroles despite an overcrowding crisis in state prisons. According to the most recent report from the Alabama Department of Corrections, there are more than 20,000 state inmates in facilities built to house around 12,000 people.

Since Graddick took over in September 2019, the number of people granted parole has plummeted to the lowest level in years, according to a report by the American Civil Liberties Union. The Bureau’s three-member parole board is scheduling fewer hearings than in years past and has experienced additional delays due to the pandemic. Of the cases that came before it, the board granted fewer than 20 percent of paroles from September 2019 through August 2020.

While Graddick did not make parole decisions, he defended the board and the decline in parole rates during a 2020 state budget hearing, saying many incarcerated people do not qualify for parole.

Ward has been critical of Graddick’s leadership of the Bureau in the past. As the incoming director, he said there needs to be a more balanced approach to making parole decisions and the parole board should not be “re-trying every case.” 

During his 10 years in the state legislature, Ward led many efforts to change Alabama’s prison system, which is among the country’s most overcrowded and violent. He sponsored legislation in 2015 that helped lower the prison population and was part of a group of lawmakers spearheading several unsuccessful reform bills in 2020. 

Ward said although the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles operates separately from the prison system, the two can work together to improve issues like recidivism. 

“One of the Bureau’s biggest roles should be re-entry back into society,” Ward said. “And that’s something I do want to change and make that a big part of the mission.”

He said the Bureau faces many challenges, including low morale and a lack of communication between the director and the three-member parole board.

The state agency is understaffed and in high demand, with roughly 370 officers currently supervising more than 27,000 people on probation and parole throughout Alabama.

 

Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers

While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home? 

Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting

The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.

Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act

It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.

Huntsville is growing fast. Here’s how it’s stayed affordable

Home prices are rising in Huntsville, but so far, the city’s avoided the skyrocketing costs in other boom towns.

What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know

The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?

What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know

The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?

More Front Page Coverage