Commissioner Jeff Dunn Archives • Alabama Political Reporter

Shameless: Alabama asks to use COVID funds to build more prisons

"The Department of Corrections wants federal dollars to build more prisons. The Treasury Department should laugh."

July 19, 2021

Prison reform group asks for observers on prison commissioner’s task force on violence

A group advocating for prison reform in Alabama on Friday asked that external observers be placed on a newly formed task force meant to address inmate-on-inmate violence and alleged excessive use of force by correctional officers. The request comes after a particularly deadly month, and year, in Alabama prisons. Alabamians for Fair Justice, a coalition … Continued

December 24, 2019

Strategic plan interview with ADOC Commissioner Dunn

Alabama’s Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn believes the department’s new strategic plan is an essential part of moving the beleaguered prison system out of its dark past and into the future. “A strategic plan in my judgment — given my Air force experience — is absolutely critical to pulling an institution together,” Dunn said … Continued

June 3, 2019

Alabama Department of Corrections releases strategic plan

The Alabama Department of Corrections is pleased to share its 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, which will serve as an actionable road map to reverse long-established, negative trends and to transform corrections in Alabama. The plan outlines concentrated efforts over the next three years in four strategic focus areas: staffing, infrastructure, programming and culture. “We recognize the … Continued

May 23, 2019

Department of Corrections hints at billion dollar prison plan

At the most recent Legislative Contract Review hearing, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn revealed that the state is planning to build three mega-style prisons at a cost of approximately $1 billion. Less than two years ago, the Legislature rejected a plan by then-Gov. Robert Bentley to spend approximately $850 million on four new … Continued

December 17, 2018

A positive note in prison debate

By Sen. Cam Ward and Rep. Matt Fridy The news surrounding the Alabama corrections system seems to be one negative story after another with much of the focus on the need for reform and consolidation in the system as well as higher quality of service and better outcomes. Much of this is true and is … Continued

December 5, 2017

Special Session on Alabama prisons expected

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Wednesday, June 27, 2017, US District Judge Myron H. Thompson declared the mental health care system in Alabama prisons to be “horrendously inadequate.” Judge Thompson said that the prisons are an unconstitutional failure that has resulted in a “skyrocketing suicide rate” among prisoners over the last two years. … Continued

July 7, 2017

Judge declares Alabama prisons’ mental health care constitutionally inadequate

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Wednesday, June 27, 2017, US Federal District Judge Myron H. Thompson declared the mental health care system in Alabama prisons to be “horrendously inadequate.” The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is being sued by the Southern Poverty Law Center and a number of prisoners who claim that their mental … Continued

June 28, 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

February 20, 2017