Public safety

Seven inmates, seven workers test positive for COVID-19

The Alabama Department of Corrections on Tuesday said in a statement that seven more prison workers and seven additional inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Four workers and one woman serving at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women all tested positive for coronavirus, according to an ADOC press release. There are 16 confirmed cases among … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

June 2, 2020

Alabama Democratic Party chair: “Where systemic racism endures there are no winners”

The Chair of the Alabama Democratic Party on Monday called for Alabamians to come together to address systemic racism and inequality in the wake of the death of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis. “I am angry and I am hurt. Unfortunately, I am not shocked,” said state Representative and Chair of the … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

June 1, 2020

Alabama attorney general signals end to fight over Birmingham’s Confederate monument

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on Monday said the city of Birmingham would get a one-time $25,000 fine if city officials remove the Confederate monument in the city’s Linn Park, which, if done, would bring an end to a years-long battle between state lawmakers and local officials in Alabama’s largest city. The monument was at … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

June 1, 2020

Birmingham mayor declares emergency, city-wide curfew after violence

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Monday declared a state of emergency and a city-wide curfew after violent protests early Monday morning that saw businesses burned and journalists attacked. Birmingham will be under a city-wide curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Monday evening. Anyone not at home or at work during those hours could … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

June 1, 2020

Three more prison workers, another inmate test positive for COVID-19

Three more prison workers have tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the sixth prison worker to self-report positive test results in two days. Additionally, a man serving at the St. Clair Correctional Facility also tested positive for the virus, the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) announced in a Friday press release. Three workers at the Julia … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 29, 2020

Alabama Parole and Probation Officers supervising nearly 9,000 violent criminals

The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles released a report Thursday that was shared with state legislators and the media this week that shows Alabama’s 300 parole and probation officers are tasked with supervising 8,993 people convicted of violent crimes. The officers are tasked with supervising more than 27,000 Alabama offenders as well as more … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 29, 2020

Three more prison workers test positive for COVID-19, testing of inmates remains low

Two workers at the Bullock Correctional Facility and one employee at the Kilby Correctional Facility have tested positive for COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Corrections said Thursday evening. The latest confirmed cases among staff bring the total of COVID-19 cases among prison workers to 58. Twelve of those workers have since recovered, the Alabama Department … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 28, 2020

More confirmed COVID-19 cases among state inmates, prison staff

Two more inmates in Alabama prisons have tested positive for COVID-19, while confirmed cases among prison staff continue to outpace cases among inmates. Four additional workers have also tested positive, bringing the total to 55. The Alabama Department of Corrections in a press release Wednesday evening announced that two inmates who had been housed at … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 27, 2020

Confirmed COVID-19 cases among Alabama prison workers reaches 51

The number of prison workers in Alabama who’ve tested positive for coronavirus ticked up to 51 on Tuesday. The Alabama Department of Corrections said just a single inmate has an active case of the virus. The Alabama Department of Corrections in a press release Tuesday said three more workers at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 26, 2020

Alabama prisons releasing some inmates early amid COVID-19 outbreak

Updated at 12 p.m. to include responses from the Alabama Department of Corrections. The Alabama Department of Corrections has automated the process of releasing early some inmates convicted of nonviolent offenses and who are nearing the end of their sentences, according to a department document obtained by APR. ADOC’s decision to automate the process by … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 22, 2020