In an emotionally charged hearing, criminal justice advocates and family members of inmates in Alabama prisons detailed the mistreatment, drug problems and unexplained deaths within the system at the Alabama State House Wednesday (July 29).
The Legislature’s Joint Prison Oversight Committee held its fourth annual public hearing to get feedback about the Alabama Department of Corrections. Some families shared stories about loved ones who died under ADOC custody, while others relayed personal experiences they had when they were behind bars.
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Committee Chair Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, encouraged speakers not to share specific details about incarcerated people like their names or incarceration location.
“That is for their safety, for your safety, and please just refrain from announcing names and AIS numbers or anything like that,” Chambliss said before speakers began. “We just want to do this to prevent any negative repercussions.”
Retaliation for speaking up about poor conditions was a common theme among the testimonies.
Colleen Howell, whose son was previously in jail, said verbal abuse and provocation are a regular part of life within Alabama’s correctional facilities. She said that when inmates try to speak up, officers not only ignore them but target them too.
“When an inmate reports wrongdoing, the officers will announce it publicly in all the dorms, the yard, everywhere,” Howell said. “That gives retaliation to the inmates. It weaponizes the staff for anyone to speak up about anything.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Claire Harrison and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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