jail

Will Mike Hubbard ever go to jail? Yes. And likely soon.

Mike Hubbard is likely going to prison within the next couple of months. Hubbard, the former Alabama House speaker, had his conviction on 11 felony ethics counts partially upheld last week by the Alabama Supreme Court. The justices overturned five of the charges and sent them back to the Alabama Criminal Court of Appeals for … Continued

Josh Moon

April 14, 2020

County commissioners report: 2015 prison reform led to less prisoners in prison but more in county jails

Wednesday, the Executive Director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama Sonny Brasfield told county commissioners that sentencing reform in 2015 has shifted more prisoners and the costs of those prisons from state prisons to county jails and county budgets. “I let you down,” Brasfield told the commissioners. In 2015, the state legislature passed … Continued

Brandon Moseley

December 11, 2019

Opinion

An Alabama man popped the Baby Trump balloon and that sums up this state

There is a reason we don’t have nice things in Alabama. Hoyt Hutchinson. Well, it would probably be more accurate to say that they people like Hoyt Hutchinson and the group of rednecks who are sending him money are why we don’t have nice things. In case you’re unfamiliar, Hoyt is the name of the … Continued

Josh Moon

November 11, 2019

State not in compliance with agreement for speedier mental evaluations for incarcerated

It’s been 16 months since a judge ordered Alabama to speed up mental evaluations and treatment for those waiting in jail to stand trial, but the state has failed to meet nearly all of the benchmarks to do so. Attorneys for the plaintiffs in the 2016 class-action civil lawsuit worry that the state isn’t capable … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 11, 2019

Opinion

Montgomery’s new panhandling law is cruel, misguided and probably unconstitutional

Lock ‘em up! That seems to be Alabama’s answer to every problem. Well, every problem but public corruption, in which case we find every possible reason not to lock ‘em up, even when we’ve determined they’re guilty as sin. But if you’re not wearing a suit and tie and hobnobbing with bigwigs, watch out. Because … Continued

Josh Moon

July 8, 2019

Alabama Voting Rights Project highlights progress, deficiencies in state voting rights

When many Alabamians are released from jail, they assume they will never gain back their right to vote. The Alabama Voting Rights Project held a press conference in Montgomery on Wednesday during which they highlighted the importance of ensuring voting rights for all Alabamians and recognized achievements across the state in voting rights restoration. In … Continued

Gabby Dance

March 28, 2019

Ivey awards grant to assist children whose parents are incarcerated

Tuesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) has awarded a $25,000 grant to assist a nonprofit organization that helps children whose parents or loved ones are currently in jail or in prison. The nonprofit group, Extended Family for Kids, will use the grant funds to expand its availability to schools across Alabama. The program uses curriculum … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 13, 2019

Opinion

Send Mike Hubbard to jail

It is often repeated that we are a nation of laws and not men. We are also told that the law trumps politics. Both of these statements are mere platitudes that most often only comfort those who indulge in the shameful practice of rank partisan power politics. Such bromides might sooth the conscience of those … Continued

Bill Britt

February 14, 2019

Want to know why Mike Hubbard still isn’t in prison?

Mike Hubbard probably isn’t going to jail anytime soon. The former Alabama House Speaker who was convicted on 12 counts of misusing his office for personal gain, and who recently had the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals uphold 11 of those convictions, remains free on an appeals bond. While most other convicted felons find themselves … Continued

Josh Moon

September 20, 2018

Ivey orders sheriffs not to pocket excess prisoner food money

Tuesday, in two memos, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced that sheriffs may no longer personally profit from a very small portion of jail food funds: those state funds allocated for services in preparing and serving food to people in their jails. In a statement, Governor Ivey said: “Public funds should be used for public … Continued

Brandon Moseley

July 12, 2018