By Kirsten J. Barnes, Communications Director Senate Minority
Nearly 10,000 fewer students are enrolled in Alabama public schools this year. Photo by Wilfredo Lee/AP
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Legislature convened Monday, September 27, 2021, with a specific purpose: to build prisons to alleviate the overcrowding and substandard conditions for both prisoners and prison staff.
“These new prisons are very much needed. We have people living in inhumane situations. We definitely need to update our facilities,” said Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro).
In addition to constructing new buildings, the body will tackle criminal justice reform.
“We cannot build our way out of this situation. So, we must find a way to end the revolving door of recidivism, and develop programs to provide non-violent offenders with alternatives,” Singleton said.
Senate Democrats hope to continue this judicial reform when the 2022 Regular Legislative Session convenes in January. However, some reforms began during previous legislative sessions.
“This special session is only for construction of prisons and judicial reform,” Singleton said. “We already have added to the curriculum and the programming at our facilities to make sure that when prisoners return to communities, they have skills to find employment.”
In April of 2019 the United States Department of Justice cited Alabama for excessive overcrowding, which contributed to an increasing number of deaths, physical violence and sexual violence. Therefore, this session has been called by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to prevent the DOJ from taking over Alabama’s Department of Corrections.