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A new prison debuts, but more changes are coming

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter A new prison bill made its anticipated debut Tuesday, but by the time it hits a Senate committee on Wednesday, it’s likely to have some company in the House. The new bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Cam Ward, removed the State from most of the process, allocating just … Continued
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March 15, 2017

Questions hang over massive prison bill

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter The push to build four new correctional facilities at the cost of $800 million will soon begin in earnest. Still, many questions are left unanswered by legislations known as the Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative (APTI). The plan at present says the estimated $1.5 billion bond issuance will be paid … Continued
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February 20, 2017

State Auditor Ziegler pitches another prison reform plan

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Jim Ziegler has a plan for Alabama’s prison problem. At a press conference Tuesday morning, the Alabama State Auditor laid out a 12-step plan – which he dubbed “Plan Z” – to correct Alabama’s overcrowded prison issues. Ziegler said his Plan Z would cost taxpayers only a quarter of … Continued
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December 14, 2016

Many Stumbling Blocks To Prison Reform

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Governor Robert Bentley wants to float $800 million in bonds to build new prisons. Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Commissioner, Jeff Dunn wants that, too. Some State Senators believe Bentley and Dunn are using the recent prison violence as a way to gin up support for their plan. They … Continued
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October 3, 2016
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We Get What We Deserve

By Joey Kennedy Alabama Political Reporter I’m often criticized for picking on the Republican political leaders in Alabama. I’m accused of everything from being a Democrat to being a “libtard.” I admit to being a liberal. But I’m not a Democrat. I’m an Independent. I vote for Republicans and Democrats – whomever I deem best … Continued
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May 11, 2016
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Bentley Wants His Prisons

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter In an Op-Ed at al.com, Gov. Robert Bentley signaled, that he may call a Special Session to try, once again, to pass an $800 million prison construction project. Bentley said, the massive spending project failed because, “We simply ran out of time in this Regular Legislative Session to finally … Continued
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May 10, 2016
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The Artist Cher Nailed It Long Ago

  By Jack Campbell When recording artist Cher released the hit “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves” in 1971, she never envisioned that song would characterize the leadership of the GOP in Alabama some 45 years later. Even the people who are not historically tuned in to current affairs realize our state Party is headed for a … Continued
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April 28, 2016

What Prison Reform Means in Alabama

By Stephen Cooper Working as an Assistant Federal Defender in Alabama for three years, I visited many state prisons.  More often than not, the conditions I observed my incarcerated clients in were deplorable.  Sadly, when I raised red flags of concern with officials, shoulders shrugged — folks just did not care.  Instead, at each turn … Continued
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April 12, 2016

Senate Passes Bentley’s Prison Bill

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, April 5, the Alabama Senate passed Alabama Governor Robert Bentley’s (R) controversial plan to close sixteen prison and borrow $800 million to build four new prisons. Governor Bentley released a statement on the Senate Passage of his Great State 2019 initiative, the Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative Act. Governor … Continued
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April 6, 2016

Debate Over Design-build verses State Law Continues

By Bill Britt Alabama Politcal Reporter MONTGOMERY—The battle: Design-build vs State-Law-mandated Design-bid-build, for the $800 million prison project has become so contentious, that Gov. Robert Bentley is reportedly ready to kill the whole project if the contract for construction is not awarded under Design-build, rather than the traditional bid process. Gov. Bentley’s office has refused … Continued
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March 23, 2016