The special session of the Alabama Legislature on prisons is now over, with lawmakers approving a $1.3 billion construction plan, which Gov. Kay Ivey has signed.
Alabama lawmakers could soon give final approval to a $1.3 billion prison construction plan that would be partly funded with pandemic relief dollars.
Alabama House of Representatives Forwards Prison Construction Bill
Alabama will use $400 million in pandemic relief funds to build three new prisons, overhaul others, and decommission select facilities.
As Alabama lawmakers address the state’s prison problems in a special session, critics argue the problems go much deeper and won’t be remedied with brick, mortar and bars.
Alabama is considering whether to use $400 million in pandemic relief funds to build new prisons.
Nearly 200 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 at Elmore Correctional Facility after prison officials conducted mass testing in the wake of an outbreak.
State officials are asking the federal government whether COVID-19 recovery money can be used to fix Alabama’s prison problems.
Legislative leaders are continuing to discuss prison construction and renovation alternatives, including if pandemic relief funds can be used to offset costs or renovating and building prisons.
Alabama lawmakers see the possibility of a special session on prison construction this summer as Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to rent prisons from private companies has been hit by setbacks.
