Prison System

Ivey’s Study Group Proposes Prison Reforms Ahead of Legislative Session

Gov. Kay Ivey’s prisons study group made suggestions Tuesday after months of reviewing the state's troubled prison system.

Inmate Deaths Prompt Alabama Prisons To Take Steps to Curb Violence

The Alabama Department of Corrections announced this week it is taking measures to cut down on prison violence. This follows the deaths of two inmates. One death allegedly involved the use of force by corrections staff.

Life After Prison: Ex-offenders Face Many Challenges When Reentering Society

Alabama's overcrowded prisons currently house more than 25,000 inmates. The vast majority - about 97% - will one day be released and return to the communities they left behind. After incarceration, former inmates face staggering challenges. All this week, WBHM's Life After Prison series will explore the stories of Alabama's recently released prisoners struggling to reintegrate into society. It's part of our investigation into the Alabama prison system, in partnership with al.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting. To start this series, WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley examines what stands between ex-offenders and a productive life outside of prison.