Tag: Alabama prisons

Prison Plan Passes: How It Happened and What’s Next

Construction will start early next year on the two 4,000-bed men’s prisons the Alabama Legislature approved after a rapid-fire, five-day special session last week.

The package of bills Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law late Friday includes the borrowing of up to $785 million for the two prisons and the use of $400 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act for the mega-prisons in central and south Alabama. A second phase of construction allows for a new women’s prison and renovations to three existing men’s prisons.

Prison proposals have floated around the State House for years, dying when they couldn’t overcome turf wars and pricetags.

So, what changed the attitudes of legislators this year?

“There was a recognition of need that I don’t think we’ve seen before,” Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, told Alabama Daily News. Read more.

Ivey Signs $1.3B Prison Construction Plan

MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey and lawmakers celebrated Friday afternoon as the governor signed bills to spend $1.3 billion on two new 4,000-bed men’s prisons. A smaller women’s prison and renovations to some existing prisons will come later.

Ivey said that the building of the new prisons is the legally, fiscally and morally right thing as the state addresses its prisons crisis.

“Let me be clear, while more reform of the system can and does need to be addressed in the future – and I am committed to that as are many legislators – today’s bill signing on the construction part of this issue is a major step forward,” Ivey said. Read more.

Also in the Legislature:
Legislature, Ivey Approve Parole Change Bill