Alabama’s Bureau of Pardons and Paroles has experienced a shakeup in recent months. Earlier this year, state lawmakers voted to give the governor more control over the agency. The legislature also established new requirements to notify victims and their families of upcoming parole hearings.
Gov. Kay Ivey appointed a new director, Judge Charlie Graddick, to take over control of the department in September. Upon taking office, Graddick said the agency had “done nothing” to comply with new legislation. He placed several administrators on leave and postponed 627 parole hearings to meet new victim notification requirements.
Parole hearings will resume Tuesday, with 119 hearings scheduled for November. Each case will be decided by the three-member board, which Graddick now oversees.
At a press conference Monday, Graddick urged caution and said parole decisions should be made carefully, especially when considering violent criminals. He also said inmates must earn the privilege of parole.
Prison reform advocates say the state should release more inmates to help reduce prison overcrowding.
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In one case, a lieutenant slammed a handcuffed prisoner on a concrete floor several times, knocking him unconscious and leaving him unable to breathe. He required hospitalization.
The issues around Alabama's troubled prison system are complex, but a new exhibit featuring artwork by Alabama inmates hopes to generate a different conversation.
Across Alabama, state inmates are getting GED certificates, learning to fix cars, and even how to code. As Alabama faces mounting pressure to reform its prison system, many state leaders want to increase funding for these educational programs.
There are many alternatives to prison including drug courts, veterans courts and community corrections. But a new report says in many cases these alternatives hinder rather than help those they are supposed to serve.
The 2020 legislative session begins Tuesday and prisons are at the top of the agenda. Lawmakers are likely to consider proposals presented last week by Governor Kay Ivey's Study Group on Criminal Justice Policy.
Prisons will be a top issue in the upcoming legislative session. The state Department of Corrections presented its budget request Thursday, along with the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.
