Families of incarcerated Alabamians gathered at the Alabama State House to demand action on the rampant violence within the state’s prison system. The Joint Prison Oversight Committee heard heartbreaking testimonials from affected families, detailing extortion, drug use, assaults, and neglect within Alabama’s prisons. The death toll of inmates in Alabama prisons continues to rise, with a record number of deaths in 2023.
Lawmakers have responded to staffing shortages by increasing correctional officer wages, but the system remains severely understaffed. Despite this, some progress has been made, such as the passage of Senate Bill 322, which established a team of liaisons for communication between incarcerated individuals and their families. Parole grant rates have also increased in recent months.
Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, encouraged affected families to keep fighting and applying pressure to bring about much-needed change. He highlighted the impact that their efforts have already had in pushing for policy and procedure changes within the prison system. The public pressure and legal scrutiny on Alabama’s prisons seem to be driving positive developments, and affected families are urged to continue advocating for reform. The families’ voices are being heard, and their efforts are showing signs of success in addressing the critical issues within the state’s prison system.
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