DOJ Alleges Alabama Prisons Violate the Constitution
A DOJ report released today alleges that conditions in the Alabama's male prisons violate the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution.
Federal officials released a report Wednesday alleging conditions in the state’s male prisons violate the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, along with three U.S. Attorneys for the State of Alabama issued the findings.
The DOJ began its investigation into Alabama’s prisons in October 2016 under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. Officials found an “excessive amount of violence, sexual abuse and prisoner deaths” routinely occur in the state’s prisons. The report says the Alabama Department of Corrections does not protect inmates from such harm, and staff routinely do not follow protocol, noting that “contraband is rampant.” It identifies several immediate and long-term measures to address the violations and says if state officials do not comply, the U.S. attorney general may initiate a lawsuit 49 days after issuing the report.
Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement Wednesday the state is working to remedy many of the issues found in the report. Ivey, along with ADOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn, previously announced a plan to replace several male prisons with three larger regional prisons. The DOC is currently requesting an additional $31 million in the state general fund to hire 500 correctional officers.
The release of the report comes amid an ongoing trial about suicide prevention in Alabama’s prisons. There have been 15 reported inmate suicides in the state since December 31, 2017. The trial is part of a larger class action lawsuit about the mental health care of inmates. The Southern Poverty Law Center is one of the plaintiffs on the case.
In a statement responding to the DOJ report, SPLC attorney Ebony Howard said, “There is no excuse for Governor Ivey and Commissioner Dunn’s knowing disregard of and failure to address the horrors catalogued in DOJ’s letter… While acknowledging the few modest remedial steps ADOC has taken, the letter clearly demands a complete overhaul of Alabama’s prison system, starting today.”
32 Palestinians killed trying to reach food distribution hubs, Gaza authorities say
Palestinians were shot dead during a food distribution on Saturday at a center run by a U.S.- and Israeli-backed group in southern Gaza, hospital officials said.
Kiss cam incident at Coldplay concert highlights the technology’s awkward history
A couple embarrassed to be caught on the big screen cuddling at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts this week sent the Internet into a frenzy. It's not the first time kiss cams have caused mishaps at stadium events.
Tourist boat capsizes during a thunderstorm in Vietnam, leaving 34 dead
A boat carrying tourists capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam on Saturday afternoon during a sightseeing excursion, killing 34 people.
A vehicle drove into a crowd in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people, including at least 3 critically
A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Angeles early Saturday, injuring 30 people.
The week when crypto won big in America
Congress passed the first major crypto legislation in the U.S., marking a major milestone for the digital currency sector. And with President Trump's support, the industry plans to march on.
Trump administration ends 988 Lifeline’s special service for LGBTQ+ young people
Callers to 988 used to be able to press 3 to reach counselors specially trained to help LGBTQ+ young people. The service had been reaching 70,000 people a month.
