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prison reform

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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
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December 24, 2019
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Opinion

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A day to be thankful — and not so thankful

I love Thanksgiving Day. There’s no pressure to give gifts; only the expectation that we’ll overeat and, perhaps, the chance we’ll over drink. I’m thankful for so much today. We all have our struggles, even those in the 1 percent. But those struggles make us better people if we overcome or learn to cope with … Continued
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November 28, 2019

Parole hearings in Alabama will resume today after a two month suspension of hearings

Monday, State Pardons and Paroles director Judge Charlie Graddick said at a news conference that he speaks for the public by encouraging that actions taken regarding violent offenders be reviewed very carefully. “Foremost, inmates do not have an innate right to be paroled, they must earn such a privilege,” Graddick told reporters. “Parole consideration dates … Continued
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November 5, 2019

Speaker McCutcheon: There aren’t the votes to pass the lottery

Thursday, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, spoke to reporters about the prospects of reconsidering controversial lottery legislation. “There are not the votes,” McCutcheon told reporters. “It would be a waste of money and time to bring back the lottery.” This was in response to Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh’s, R-Anniston, comment that … Continued
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May 24, 2019

Prison reform, construction package expected before end of session

A wide-ranging package of bills aimed at prison reform is expected to drop in the Alabama Legislature in the next few weeks, the chairman of the Senate’s judiciary committee tells the Alabama Political Reporter. The legislative package includes sentencing reforms, oversight legislation, reporting requirements and a new prison construction plan. The package, when it is … Continued
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April 29, 2019

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
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July 7, 2017

Prison Bill to be on floor of House today

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, May 16, 2017, it was announced that the controversial prison construction plan as well as Senate redistricting will be before the House today as time runs out on the 2017, Legislative Session. The prison plan, SB59, is sponsored by state Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster). Sen. Ward insists that … Continued
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May 17, 2017

Farley Says He Can’t Support McCutcheon for Speaker

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Thursday, July 14, State Representative Allen Farley (R-McCalla) spoke to the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans at their regular monthly meeting at Sidebar on Birmingham’s Southside. When asked about the Speaker of the House race to replace disgraced former Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, Rep. Farley said, “I cannot … Continued
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July 15, 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