Prison commissioner stepping down from troubled department
Alabama Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn is stepping down after six years leading the troubled system that faces a Justice Department lawsuit over prison conditions, the governor’s office announced Tuesday. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said she is appointing John Hamm, the current deputy secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, as the state’s next corrections commissioner. Hamm will take over on Jan. 1. “I have said before that Commissioner Dunn has a thankless job, but I am proud that he has led with the utmost integrity. He has helped lay the groundwork that I now look forward to building upon with John Hamm at the helm,” Ivey said in a statement. Dunn was appointed by then-Gov. Robert Bentley in 2015 to lead the troubled prison system. A retired Air Force colonel, Dunn had no experience in corrections, but Bentley said he would bring a fresh perspective to the department. He remained in the position under Ivey. During his tenure, Dunn sought additional funding to hire and retain corrections officers and helped lead the push under two administrations for prison construction. Lawmakers this year approved a plan to tap pandemic relief funds to help pay the costs of building two new super-size prisons and renovating other facilities. But his tenure also saw an ongoing prison violence crisis — at least partly fueled by the ongoing staffing shortage— and mounting troubles for the department. The Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit against Alabama last year, saying state lockups were among the deadliest in the nation and that inmates face unconstitutional levels of “prisoner-on-prisoner and guard-on-prisoner violence.” The Justice Department state officials have been deliberately indifferent to the problem. “In the two and a half years following the United States’ original notification to the State of Alabama of unconstitutional conditions of confinement, prisoners at Alabama’s Prisons for Men have continued daily to endure a high risk of death, physical violence, and sexual abuse at the hands of other prisoners,” the DOJ wrote in an updated complaint filed last month. It was signed by Attorney General Merrick Garland. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson in 2017 ruled that Alabama’s psychiatric care of state inmates is so “horrendously inadequate” that it violates the U.S. Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. State Rep. Chris England, who has long called for Dunn’s removal, said this was an opportunity to take the department in a new direction. He said leadership change is also needed at the parole board. Ivey’s office said Hamm has more than 35 years of experience in law enforcement and includes time working in corrections at both the state and local levels. “I will work diligently with the men and women of DOC to fulfill Governor Ivey’s charge of solving the issues of Alabama’s prison system,” Hamm said in a statement released by the governor’s office. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Kay Ivey draws challengers in 2022 GOP primary
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who had been considered a safe incumbent as she seeks a second full-term in office, is drawing challengers in next year’s 2022 Republican primary with candidates gambling that they can capitalize on ties to former President Donald Trump or conservative voter dissatisfaction with the pandemic and other matters. Lynda Blanchard, who was Trump’s ambassador to Slovenia, is switching from the U.S. Senate race to the gubernatorial contest, according to a copy of a campaign event invitation she tweeted. Toll road developer Tim James, the son of former Alabama Gov. Fob James, confirmed Monday that he is launching a primary challenge against Ivey. Blanchard’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the invitation that said a Tuesday campaign announcement was sponsored by the Lindy Blanchard campaign for governor. James said he is entering the race because he believes many conservative voters are “anxious” about the state’s recent political decisions. Among them, he cited a gas tax increase, a push by some Republicans to legalize casinos, a medical marijuana program, and aspects of the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic such as past mask mandates on K-12 students. “This is not who the people of this state are,” James said in a telephone interview Monday. “It’s certainly not what normal, conventional-type Republicans believe in.” James ran for governor in 2002 and 2010, when he narrowly missed making the GOP runoff, finishing about 200 votes behind eventual winner Robert Bentley. Bentley went on to win the post that year. Ivey is seeking her second full term after Bentley stepped down in 2017 amid a legislative push to impeach him. Blanchard has scheduled a Tuesday campaign event in Wetumpka. Taking on a well-funded incumbent is typically an uphill battle in a primary. James is already known to primary voters. Blanchard, a businesswoman and mother of eight, is expected to lean into her ties to Trump, who remains popular among state Republicans. “The MAGA Movement is the heart and soul of this nation. I entered the Senate race to serve Alabama’s people, and no matter what the future may bring, that will always be my main goal,” Blanchard said last month amid speculation she was switching races. Trump on Monday backed former U.S. Sen. David Perdue’s challenge to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in that state’s GOP primary next year. Trump encouraged Perdue to run after lashing out at Kemp, claiming he did not do enough to overturn Democratic President Joe Biden’s electoral victory in Georgia. It is unclear if Trump will weigh in on the Alabama race. He told Newsmax on Monday that he is looking at races but did not mention any candidate by name. “Well, I look at Alabama. It’s been a great state. I won it by record numbers, as you know. And a lot of people (are) asking for endorsements. And I’ll probably endorse people, various people at Alabama,” Trump said, noting he has already endorsed U.S. Mo Brooks in the U.S. Senate race. The primary is set for May 24, 2022. Stacy Lee George, a correctional officer and former Morgan County commissioner, is already running against Ivey. Speaking about the growing field, James noted his father used to say that “a governor’s race ought to draw a crowd.” Fob James served two terms as governor, once as a Democrat after being elected in 1978 and then as a Republican after being elected in 1994. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
A.G. Steve Marshall wins injunction against vaccine mandate
Today, Attorney General Steve Marshall announced victory over President Joe Biden’s federal-contractor vaccine mandate. A federal court granted Alabama’s motion for an injunction against the vaccination requirement. Marshall stated in a press release, “President Biden’s unlawful, unconstitutional, and un-American attempt to force federal contractors and their employees to submit to a COVID-19 vaccination has been stopped due to another successful legal challenge from Alabama.” Marshall filed three legal challenges to President Biden’s vaccine mandates, including against the federal-contractor vaccine mandate on October 29, against the private-employer vaccine mandate on November 5, and against the healthcare-worker vaccine mandate on November 15. All three mandates have now been blocked nationwide by federal courts. “Today’s ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia places a nationwide injunction on President Biden’s federal-contractor vaccine mandate and represents the third victory by Alabama and a coalition of states to block enforcement of the President’s tyrannical dictates,” Marshall continued. “President Biden’s lawless and authoritarian vaccine mandate on federal contractors—just as with his vaccine mandates for private employers and healthcare workers—is a contemptible infringement upon individual liberty, federalism, and the separation of powers. The courts have rightfully responded in each case by blocking the enforcement of these mandates.” Gov. Kay Ivey praised the ruling on Twitter. “I’ll call the Biden vaccine mandate nonsense what it is: and that is an un-American, outrageous overreach. This morning we had ANOTHER win in our fight for freedom when a federal judge put a nationwide halt on the federal contractor mandate. Momentum is on our side,” Ivey commented. Attorneys general from Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah, and West Virginia joined the legal challenge.
Kay Ivey taps veteran John Hamm to lead Department of Corrections
Kay Ivey announced Tuesday that she is appointing law enforcement veteran John Hamm to serve as the next commissioner for the Department of Corrections. Hamm is currently the deputy secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). After almost seven years in his position, Commissioner Jeff Dunn plans to step down at the end of December. Hamm’s appointment is effective January 1, 2022. Ivey praised Dunn for his efforts in improving Alabama prisons. In a press release, Ivey commented, “For decades, the challenges of our state’s prison system have gone unaddressed and have grown more difficult as a result, but after assuming office, I committed to the people of Alabama that we would solve this once and for all. Commissioner Dunn and I have worked together to make many foundational changes, including getting the Alabama Prison Plan moving across the finish line, and I know this critical step will make a difference for decades to come.” Ivey continued, “I have said before that Commissioner Dunn has a thankless job, but I am proud that he has led with the utmost integrity. He has helped lay the groundwork that I now look forward to building upon with John Hamm at the helm.” Hamm has 35 years of law enforcement experience. He was at the helm of the State Bureau of Investigation before serving as deputy secretary of ALEA. His extensive law enforcement background also includes work in corrections, both at the state and local levels. Hamm holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice and Public Safety from Auburn University at Montgomery. “Ensuring public safety is at the forefront of our mission when it comes to the Alabama Department of Corrections. From protecting our inmates to correctional staff to the public, that must be a top priority, and we will have a strong leader in John Hamm,” said Governor Ivey. “We have taken important steps, and now, we must build upon those, and John has committed to me that he is prepared to do just that. I am confident in the direction we will take this department in the coming years.” Hamm commented, “I am honored and humbled by Governor Ivey appointing me as commissioner of Corrections. I will work diligently with the men and women of DOC to fulfill Governor Ivey’s charge of solving the issues of Alabama’s prison system.” “Ensuring public safety is at the forefront of our mission when it comes to the Alabama Department of Corrections. From protecting our inmates to correctional staff to the public, that must be a top priority, and we will have a strong leader in John Hamm,” said Governor Ivey. “We have taken important steps, and now, we must build upon those, and John has committed to me that he is prepared to do just that. I am confident in the direction we will take this department in the coming years.”
Lynda Blanchard to announce 2022 run for governor of Alabama
Senate hopeful Lynda Blanchard today announced a campaign event happening tomorrow in her hometown, Wetumpka, Alabama, at the historic Bibb Graves Bridge. Blanchard will officially switch races and announce her candidacy for governor. Blanchard is currently running for U.S. Senate. It has been rumored for months that she would run for governor of Alabama, challenging incumbent Kay Ivey. The former ambassador to Slovenia, Blanchard was a major donor to the Donald Trump campaign but never received his endorsement for her run in the Senate. CNN reported that Trump met with Blanchard, and she was receptive to the prospect of her running for governor. Blanchard, who has previously used her full name, Lynda, in campaign material, is using the name Lindy, a name used by friends and family. Todd Stacy from Alabama Daily News reported that Susie Wiles will be the lead consultant for her campaign. Wiles is a Florida-based political consultant tasked with overseeing Trump’s fundraising operation and creating a system for issuing endorsements from the former president. According to a Politico report, Wiles previously managed the campaigns of Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Gov. Ron Desantis. As Alabama Today reported in August, in a matchup of possible gubernatorial candidates, Ivey had only 41.5%, well below the threshold to win without a runoff at 50% plus one vote. Incumbents below 50% are considered vulnerable. Ivey’s perceived silence on personal support for Trump and his policies now has Ivey scrambling for his approval. Blanchard posted on Twitter, “I’m excited to announce a campaign event tomorrow! If you believe in the constitution and are committed to protecting our freedoms, then we share common goals. I look forward to meeting you!”
As Kay Ivey attempts to re-write history, Donald Trump supporters see through it and a path to her defeat
Governor Kay Ivey’s supporters will tell you that the governor is untouchable based on favorability numbers that don’t paint a full picture of the current state of collapsing support for her election. State Auditor Jim Zeigler, one of the state’s most prolific campaigners, will tell you, “Governor Ivey’s support is a mile wide and an inch deep.” This is why she’s drawing primary opponents who are confident that she is beatable, not just for what she’s done, but for what they are quick to point out she hasn’t done: Pushed a Donald Trump agenda or stood by him strongly enough. In stark contrast to other supportive elected officials, specifically governors around the nation have done, Ivey’s official website reflects that she has put out only three formal statements in support of Trump through her official office. There is no record of a formal statement in support of him during his second impeachment hearings. As a matter of fact, rather than defending the President, according to AL.Com, “Ivey did not answer the question about whether Trump was to blame” for the events of January 6 at the U.S. Capitol. In her response to questions, instead of taking the opportunity to voice her support for Trump and his supporters, she echoed the chorus of their opponents who blamed them for the events that day, stating, “All Americans need to press pause on divisive rhetoric, take a step back and do some deep soul-searching on how we got to this point of pain, ugliness, and loss of life.” In the same interview, Governor Ivey gave a tepid response to Nancy Pelosi and Never Trumpers pushing for Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Donald Trump from office. She stated, “One of the hallmarks of our system of government is the orderly transition of power after an election. Vice President Pence has stated that he has no intention of invoking the 25th Amendment, and I do not believe a partisan impeachment would do anything other than further divide our nation. Invoking the 25th Amendment would create more chaos and would only incite further violence.” Trump was not the only person Ivey refused to support outright, telling the outlet in response to U.S. Congressman Mo Brooks’s fiery speech that day, “Everyone should be held accountable for the words they use,” Ivey said. “I’ve long believed that as elected officials, we should be held to a higher level of accountability. If the people of the 5th District believe their views are not being properly represented, then they need to express their disappointment directly to Congressman Brooks and, if necessary, hold him accountable at the ballot box. Moreover, it should be noted, he does not speak for all Republicans, much less all Alabamians.” While Ivey has been cagey in her history of Trump support, rarely mentioning his name or supporting his policies before heading back into campaign season, she was quick to celebrate Joe Biden publicly and directly. In fact, Ivey has praised Joe Biden and celebrated his election. Pledging to work with him, a promise she has made good on this week by joining Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, and Vice President Kamala Harris in pushing electric vehicles, a key component of Biden’s big-government agenda Build Back Better. As Alabama Today reported in August, in a matchup of possible gubernatorial candidates, Ivey had only 41.5%, well below the threshold to win without a runoff at 50% plus one vote. Incumbents below 50% are considered vulnerable. The independent poll was conducted by Montgomery-based Cygnal August 17-18 among 600 likely Republican primary voters. It has a margin of error of +/- 4.0%. It was paid for by Alabama Daily News. Zeigler, who has filed to run for governor, says his campaign against Ivey would be “Zeigler and the Taxpayers vs. Ivey and the Insiders.” Though he’s one of the most vocal opponents, Zeigler has publicly hedged on getting into the race himself, citing his inability to finance the endeavor saying, “If I could keep the campaign about common sense and not about the millions of dollars and cents raised for Gov. Ivey by the Montgomery Insiders, I could win.” Tim James is rumored to be announcing a run for governor as well, a position he ran for in 2002 and 2010, when he narrowly missed making the GOP runoff. When asked about the difficulty of taking on an incumbent, James commented, “Look, I’ve lost. It didn’t kill me. But I think if we do it, I think I’ll win it.” When asked about a possible run for governor, Lynda Blanchard told Alabama Today exclusively, “I’ve been all over this state and the one thing I hear repeatedly is that the people want a conservative fighter like President Donald Trump at every level of government; someone who will not just talk the talk but has shown loyalty to President Trump’s agenda to make our nation the strongest it can be for America’s families and businesses. The America First agenda has been the cornerstone of my race for the U.S. Senate and will continue to be on the forefront of my mind as I prayerfully consider the options before me to serve the people of our state in the best capacity. I have great respect for President Trump and his supporters and will not let them down.” Don Wallace, President of the Alabama Republican Assembly, believes that Ivey can be beaten, even as an incumbent. “I do believe Kay Ivey is beatable based on the encouragement others are getting to run. Many people are looking for stronger leadership to push back against the very liberal Biden Administration,” Wallace commented. When asked if voters support Ivey, Wallace mentioned the I-10 plan, the prison plan, and other controversial issues that have shown a willingness of the people and elected officials to break ranks with her and push back against her plans or goals. “Many have also been concerned about Ivey’s governing decisions when it comes to the original I-10 plan, the faulty prison plan, and efforts to take
Sources confirm Donald Trump appointee, Ambassador Lynda Blanchard plan to announce run for governor of Alabama
After months of speculation on a reported switch in campaigns for Lynda Blanchard, it looks like the rumors are true. According to insiders, Blanchard is planning to end her campaign for the U.S. Senate seat and run for governor of Alabama, according to a CNN report. She is expected to announce her campaign against Governor Kay Ivey next week. The former ambassador to Slovenia, Blanchard was a major donor to the Trump campaign but never received his endorsement for her run in the Senate. That endorsement went to Mo Brooks, a long-time Trump supporter. CNN reported that Trump met with Blanchard, and she was receptive to the prospect of her running for governor. In an August interview on FM Talk 106.5’s Jeff Poor Show, Blanchard commented, “You know, I can tell you that I’ve been all over this state, and there are a lot of people that, you know, like we saw this weekend, want everything Trump. And they want a Trump governor, as well.” According to a Rolling Stone report, Trump blames Gov. Ivey for canceling one of his rallies in Alabama this summer. The rally in question was a July 3 “Freedom Rally” at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile. Defenders of Ivey note that the rally was canceled by the Battleship Commission, not the governor herself though the commission is stacked with appointees she chose. Without Trump’s endorsement, Blanchard’s Senate campaign has lagged behind Mo Brooks and Katie Boyd Britt.
Kay Ivey honors state’s first Black poet laureate
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey recognized the state’s first Black poet laureate, a creative writing teacher who delves into inequality and the difficulty of being Black in America, on Wednesday in the same building where Southern delegates voted to form the Confederacy 160 years ago. Standing in the white-domed Capitol, the Republican Ivey presented Ashley M. Jones with a commendation for the honor, bestowed earlier this year by the Alabama Writers Cooperative for a four-year term that begins in January. “Everyone in this room, and I would add folks around the country, are proud of you for being honored with this well-deserved, historic recognition,” Ivey told Jones during a ceremony. As poet laureate, Jones will advocate for poetry and writing in general during lectures and appearances at schools, libraries, and other institutions. “I am committed to making space for all of us who write,” she said. Jones’ most recent book, released earlier this year, is a collection of poems titled “Reparations Now!” In it, she writes about reparations not just in terms of money but in the fuller sense of rebuilding a society fractured by generations of racial violence, division, and prejudice. Jones, in an interview, said she believes both poetry and history should tell the truth. “I’m hoping that through my position I can continue to spread that message and show that when we actually confront the truth it’s good for everyone. Hiding things doesn’t help at all. It actually hurts more than it helps,” she said. Jones’ appointment is “pretty revolutionary,” said Jeanie Thompson, an author and executive director of the Alabama Writers Forum. “She brings a strong statement, but she brings a lot of balance,” said Thompson. “And so I think that she will have things to say that people will hear.” Jones’ recent book includes the poem “Reparations Now, Reparations Tomorrow, Reparations Forever,” in which she takes off on the infamous “segregation now” inaugural speech by four-term Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace to talk about the depth of pain of Black people and ponders what could ever be a salve. It says, in part: “What, you think all I want is money? What, you think money can ever repay what you stole? Give me land, give me all the blood you ripped out of our backs, our veins. Give me every snapped neck and the noose you wove to hoist the body up. “Give me the screams you silenced in so many dark and lustful rooms. Give me the songs you said were yours but you know came out of our lips first. Give me back Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and Medgar Evers. Give me back the beauty of my hair. The swell of my hips. The big of my lips. Give me back the whole Atlantic Ocean. Give me a never-ending blue. And a mule.” Such words are challenging in a conservative state that’s still trying to remove racist language from a Constitution passed in 1901 to protect the political power of white people. Earlier this year, the GOP-controlled State Board of Education passed a resolution banning the teaching of critical race theory, an academic term that conservative opponents contend amounts to making white people feel bad about the racism of past generations. “We have permanently BANNED Critical Race Theory in Alabama. We’re focused on teaching our children how to read and write, not HATE,” Ivey said in a tweet in October. Jones teaches at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, which she also attended. She said receiving such an honor in a deeply conservative state was gratifying but not terribly surprising since Alabama’s writing community, like those elsewhere, is generally more progressive than the general population. “The artists always are on a different pulse,” she said. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Justin Bogie: Tax cuts seem to be everywhere – except in Alabama’s future
Kansas, one of a handful of states alongside Alabama that still fully taxes the sale of food, recently announced a bipartisan plan to “Axe the Food Tax.” Just before Thanksgiving, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed a budget into law that will make sweeping changes to the state’s tax code, fully repealing the corporate income tax by the end of the decade and cutting the personal income tax rate by 1.26% over the next five years. And the tax cuts that North Carolina just enacted and that Kansas is proposing are not outliers. According to the Tax Foundation, North Carolina became the 12th state to enact personal or corporate income tax rate cuts in 2021. So, what did Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Legislature do in 2021, and what could be on the horizon? Despite taking more revenue from citizens than ever before, there was no meaningful effort to reduce taxes this year. Instead, the 2021 Regular Legislative Session was consumed by a failed effort to legalize, and of course, heavily tax casino-style gaming in Alabama. Lawmakers also found time to legalize the use and sale of medicinal marijuana in Alabama, which could mean financial windfalls for state government and the chosen few businesses allowed to grow, process, and distribute marijuana in Alabama. Given the progress made by other states and Alabama’s failure to pass any meaningful tax reforms this year, surely they are coming in 2022, right? If tax cuts are in the cards, our elected state leaders are not talking about them. Most lawmakers seem focused on how to spend money that has already been taxed from citizens or find ways to take even more. Just this week, State Sen. Greg Albritton, chairman of the Senate general fund budget committee, said that he expects gaming legislation to be a hot topic when the legislature reconvenes on January 11. According to a report from Yellowhammer News, Albritton said that he was hopeful gaming legislation would pass in the upcoming session. And while he said getting control of existing gaming in the state was a driving factor, money may be the biggest motivation. Albritton said, “We’ve got to have some taxing on it. We’ve got to have some benefits on it.” It was estimated that the 2021 gaming legislation would have brought in $260 million to $393 million annually, just from a new tax on gaming revenue. Much of that revenue would have, of course, come out of the pockets of Alabamians. What are other priorities? Sens. Del Marsh and Bobby Singleton have bonuses for retired state workers and teachers on their minds. Marsh’s pre-filed bill would give a minimum bonus of $300 to retirees. Senate education budget chairman Arthur Orr has indicated support not only for retiree bonuses but another pay raise for the state’s teachers. If those priorities pass, Orr has said that it might be the right time to look at limited tax breaks for retirement age and lower-income Alabamians. But surely Gov. Kay Ivey is talking about taking less money from the people of Alabama? Not exactly. On Monday, Ivey announced a state-sponsored plan to expand electric vehicle use in Alabama. Interestingly, when asked if she would move to an electric vehicle, Ivey said her car is “still in good shape,” but she might consider a change in the future. Perhaps Ivey is like many other Alabamians who don’t know much about or have little interest in driving an electric vehicle. According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, nearly five million passenger vehicles were registered in 2020. Less than 3,000 of those vehicles were electric. Are these really the major priorities for Alabama citizens? If the recent gubernatorial election in Virginia is any indication, no. After a 12-year drought in statewide elections for Virginia Republicans, Glenn Youngkin was able to win because he focused on conservative principles such as school choice and lowering taxes. Exit polling conducted by Cygnal found the driving issues for Youngkin voters were education, taxes, the economy, and public safety, among others. Electric vehicles and expanded gambling appeared nowhere on the list. Few would argue that Alabama is a conservative state. Yet, the current tax and spend priorities of state lawmakers do not reflect conservative principles. If the governor and Republican supermajority legislature want to get back to those roots, they need only look to other states for inspiration. Justin Bogie is the Senior Director of Fiscal Policy for the Alabama Policy Institute.
Alabama starting new push to promote electric vehicles
The state announced a campaign Monday to promote electric vehicles that includes adding more charging stations that are available to motorists across Alabama. Coordinated by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the Drive Electric Alabama Project is intended to both raise awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles and expand the state’s infrastructure for them, officials said. “It’s clear electric vehicles represent the next generation of automobile manufacturing,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said in a statement. “That’s precisely why this is the perfect time for Alabamians to learn about electric vehicles, as many auto manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz right here in our state, are beginning to add electric vehicles to their fleets.” Gov. Kay Ivey attended an unveiling of the campaign in Birmingham but indicated she plans to continue using her conventional vehicle, at least for now, al.com reported. “My Mercedes is still in good shape,” she said in response to a reporter’s question, al.com reported. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
35-foot state Christmas tree to be displayed at Capitol
The state Christmas tree will be delivered Monday to the Alabama Capitol. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office said this year’s tree is a 35-foot eastern red cedar grown in Fitzpatrick. The tree is expected to arrive around noon. The tree will be displayed on the steps of the Alabama Capitol. The tree will be decorated throughout the week. Ivey will hold the annual lighting ceremony on Friday.
DOJ: Alabama prisons unimproved, remain violent and deadly
The U.S. Department of Justice says conditions in Alabama prisons have not improved since the federal government warned the state of unconstitutional conditions three years ago and that male inmates continue to live in deadly and dangerous conditions. The Justice Department last Friday filed an updated complaint in their ongoing lawsuit against Alabama over prison conditions. Justice Department officials wrote that violence remains unabated in facilities that are both overcrowded and “dangerously” understaffed. “In the two and a half years following the United States’ original notification to the State of Alabama of unconstitutional conditions of confinement, prisoners at Alabama’s Prisons for Men have continued daily to endure a high risk of death, physical violence, and sexual abuse at the hands of other prisoners,” the Justice Department wrote in the complaint signed by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. The lawsuit accuses the state of operating prisons where conditions are so poor they violate the U.S. Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment and accuses state officials of being deliberately indifferent to the situation. While Alabama has acknowledged problems in state prisons, the state is disputing the Justice Department’s allegations of unconstitutional conditions and is fighting the lawsuit in court. The Justice Department’s latest filing came after a federal judge directed the department to be more specific about its accusations. The filing said dozens of inmates had been killed by other inmates in recent years and listed some of the specific incidents. In one case, a 53-year-old prisoner at Donaldson died after being strangled, and a note was found on the prisoner indicating he feared for his life because another prisoner had ordered a “hit” on him, officials wrote. The filing says at least 33 inmates were killed behind bars in 2018, 2019, and 2020. While the department reported no 2021 homicides in monthly reports, at least ten prisoner-on-prisoner homicides “have been reported by the media and advocates in the calendar year 2021,” officials wrote. The prison system does not include in its numbers deaths that are still under investigation. The Justice Department listed seven inmate homicides in 2021 where prisoners were stabbed, smothered, or choked to death. The Associated Press in September sent a records request asking for the number of inmate deaths under investigation as a potential homicide. The department responded on November 2 that it did “not label any death investigation as a ‘potential homicide,’ so we cannot provide that information.” The Justice Department wrote there is a pattern of excessive force by prison guards that is fueled by a dangerous mix of overcrowded prisons and too few officers. “Overworked security staff in the overcrowded prisons lack sufficient backup and support to manage prison security, which results in officers’ increased fear of prisoner threats and excessive force,” the department wrote. The department said, “most of Alabama’s prisons had correctional staff vacancy rates of over 50%” in the first quarter of 2021. The Justice Department also described a litany of safety and sanitation problems with buildings, including that “not one of the 13 Alabama’s prisons for men has a functional fire alarm system.” A state lawmaker, who has called for the firing of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn, said Wednesday that the prison system is in crisis. “I’ve said it a million times. There is no leadership over there,” said Rep. Chris England, a Democrat from Tuscaloosa. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey this fall signed into law a plan to use $400 million in pandemic relief funds to help build two 4,000-bed prisons and a new prison for women and renovate other facilities. Ivey and GOP legislative leaders touted the construction plan as a partial solution to the state’s longstanding problems in corrections. Critics argued buildings alone will not remedy the prison problems and said the state has needs in health care and education that could be helped by the $400 million. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
