equal justice initiative

The U.S.’s first memorial dedicated to those terrorized by lynchings, the legacy of enslaved black people and African-Americans who faced the terror of the Jim Crow era is set to open in Montgomery next week. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which will also be dedicated to people of color who face contemporary police brutality … Continued

By Joey Kennedy Alabama Political Reporter Most readers know that I oppose the death penalty. I don’t believe the State should ever take something from somebody it can’t make right. When the State kills a person, the State can’t take that back. The person is dead. I understand and, indeed, agree that there are crimes … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter In Alabama, even when a jury recommends someone only receive life in prison, a trial judge in a capital murder case can ignore that recommendation and impose the death penalty. Sen. Dick Brewbaker (R-Montgomery) wants to change this practice, known as “judicial override.” “The US Supreme Court has made … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter An Alabama death row inmate, 74-year-old Thomas Arthur, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection today at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. But his attorneys have asked the Alabama Supreme Court for a stay or vacation of his execution. Arthur’s attorneys filed the petition to stay or vacate … Continued

By Beth Clayton Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), chair of the prison oversight committee, has called for security increases  to reduce inmate abuse in Alabama prisons. A lack of security cameras, coupled with understaffing and overcrowding of Alabama’s prisons has lead to several instances of alleged inmate abuse in recent years. This past … Continued

Staff Report A nonprofit legal firm says it will sue the Alabama Department of Corrections if the U.S. Department of Justice decides not to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct by correctional officers at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women. The Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative released a report last month that found DOC employees had illegal … Continued