Alabama corrections commissioner to retire; Gov. Kay Ivey names replacement

Photo from the Alabama Department of Corrections

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm has announced his retirement, while Gov. Kay Ivey has announced his replacement.

Hamm has led the prison system since January 2022.

Gov. Ivey has named Greg Lovelace as Hamm’s replacement, effective Friday, May 1.

“Running the Department of Corrections in any state is a heavy task, and Commissioner John Hamm has been exceptional for Alabama. No doubt Corrections is better today than when I took office in 2017. I certainly give John a ton of credit for our progress across the spectrum,” Gov. Ivey said. “Our work is not done, which is why I am especially proud to have Greg Lovelace take the role of Commissioner through the remainder of my time as governor. He is a good as they come and an expert in Corrections. Tackling challenges that come with any correctional system is multilayered, and I look forward to building on the progress we are making in the months ahead.”

Under Hamm’s leadership,  the construction of two new men’s prisons has gotten underway. More Corrections officers have been recruited and retained than ever before. The Department has also effectively held a zero-tolerance policy for misbehavior and violence among both the inmates and the staff, according to the governor’s office.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve in Governor Ivey’s Administration, and I thank her for giving me that opportunity and empowering me to lead the Department of Corrections forward,” Hamm said. “Governor Ivey’s unwavering support for the Department has been outstanding. When I started at Corrections in 2022, Governor Ivey gave me the charge of making the Department better and with her support, as well as the support of her staff and the hardworking men and women of ADOC, we have accomplished that.”

Lovelace currently serves as Chief Deputy Commissioner for the department.

Greg Lovelace – Photo from the Office of Governor Kay Ivey

“There has not been another governor in my lifetime who has done as much for the Alabama Department of Corrections than Governor Ivey. There have been longstanding challenges facing Corrections, and Governor Ivey decided she would tackle those head on, and we have made progress because of it,” said Lovelace. “I am honored to serve under Governor Ivey’s leadership and am grateful also to Commissioner Hamm for all that he has poured into ADOC. Governor Ivey instructed me with finishing strong to ensure Corrections seamlessly transitions to the next Administration, and I look forward to helping lead the ADOC team to doing just that.”

Lovelace has more than 30 years of Corrections-specific experience. Throughout his tenure with ADOC, Lovelace oversaw maintenance and construction projects and managed all prisons within the system. Lovelace’s career in law enforcement began in 1975 with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office. The governor calls Lovelace a “true public servant” as he, once again, is answering the call to lend his leadership to the state.

— Information from the Office of Governor Kay Ivey