Commissioner John Hamm

Opinion

After an hour of oversight, violence inside Alabama prisons unaddressed

Less than two weeks after two inmates died, ADOC Commissioner John Hamm failed to address deadly conditions during the Legislature's prison oversight meeting.

Alison Mollman

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February 5, 2026

Kenneth Traywick speaks out after 35-day hunger strike at Bullock prison

The prison reform advocate called his 35-day strike a “failure” after ADOC met none of his demands before medical issues forced him to stop.

Alex Jobin

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January 19, 2026

Prison reform advocate has ended hunger strike after 35 days

The 35-day protest began after an officer pepper sprayed the advocate in alleged retaliation for speaking out against excessive force practices.

Alex Jobin

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January 2, 2026

Alabama Department of Corrections proposes $50 million budget increase

A large portion of the ADOC's requested budget would go toward staffing needs and increases to wages, salaries, and benefits.

Alex Jobin

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February 7, 2025

Alabama Department of Corrections faces continued hiring setbacks

At the joint budget hearing, Commissioner John Hamm discussed hiring challenges for security personnel and prison construction updates.

Mary Claire Wooten

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August 14, 2024

Prison oversight committee grapples with good time executive order, pre-filed bills

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, called the executive order an overreach that seems "retaliatory" to the recent prison work stoppage.

Jacob Holmes

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February 16, 2023

Incarcerated individuals allege ADOC is using starvation to stop strike

Incarcerated individuals are alleging that correctional staff in Alabama prisons have begun depriving them of sufficient meals.

John H. Glenn

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September 28, 2022