I was surprised when I read the term “relative silence”. I was sure from the first installment that this series would result in huge public outcry, given how much we care about our tax dollars. Can you clarify whose silence you are referring to? Politicians, public, media, all of the above? So does nobody give a fuck?
Pretty much all that you named except media, there have been a few op-eds and other journalists seem more interested than anyone. Totally agree with you!
Thank you Beth for continuing to dig until you found this layer of depravity in ADOC. I too hoped hearing about the injustices would move the general public, that didn't seem to make a difference. Maybe the tax waste (lawyers fees) you've uncovered will move more of us to speak up and do something.
Excellent reporting!! Beth you dug and dug and then put it out there for us all to see! Most know our judicial system is corrupt along with ADOC and AG but hiding a fund that pays for corruption is unreal! There’s a fund like that in Washington DC for senators and congressmen which pays off accusers of rape, abuse and assault, none of these employees should be given free attorneys for breaking the law! They all should be held accountable and prosecuted all the way up to AG Marshal! All don’t care about the community, they just want to suck people dry, from the incarcerated ‘s families to DAs, Judges, all of ADOC ! They are as guilty as the officers that they get Attorney Lunsford and his staff to defend with taxpayer money that we never even approved for! It’s a shame and quite ridiculous that they get millions and the the ones harmed don’t even get a tenth! This system is broken and people need to remember all the unjustified assaults and deaths that these legislators have continued to let occur by the votes and actions of themselves even after families showed up and told the! I’m sure back door dealing continues. People need to vote them all out , both sides because these men and women don’t deserve the hell them and their families have and are going through, enough is enough with all these evil greedy people!!! Thank you Beth for exposing them all!
I hope my comment makes clear that being an excellent journalist (and this certainly qualifies) is still a valued attribute. And that we need this kind of insight more now than ever. Bravo!
The Trump Administration has effectively shuttered the DOJ Civil Rights Division, and has also strengthened the limited immunity/indemnity granted to LEOs. Thus, lawsuits such as the ones you uncovered will likely come to a halt. Eighth-Amendment violations of prisoners' rights will cease to exist. Cruelty to inmates will continue, with no recourse for them & their families. Alabama taxpayers will no longer be on the hook for either settlements or defense lawyer fees for ADOC personnel. The gross and grotesque moral turpitude of Alabama's governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and Republican state legislators will have been rewarded. Unless we, the voters, rise up in sufficient numbers to kick the GOP/MAGA bums out of elective office.
Such an important topic to bring to light. My husband is incarcerated in Alabama -- or being held hostage as it sits in my mind. Some moments I have hope. But in most others, you panic and flail that you are losing the battle. But the problem goes way beyond the prison walls and excessive force (although it is horrible -- but just the tip of the iceberg). It really goes back to how we see crime in this country. The behaviors that we choose to criminalize. In our case -- I don't even understand how my husband is in prison to begin -- much less sentenced to decades. As a US citizen who has only been to traffic court (and family court unfortunately -- but that's another can of worms); I had no idea whatsoever that if you are with someone who is or has recently committed a crime, then you are guilty as well (yes, I saw that documentary 'Time' with Ms. Fox., but to be fair, they seemed to premeditate it) My husband's situation was being drunk and not understanding what the people he was with were doing. That's it. Not to mention he was a minor to boot. Anyway -- that 'crime' landed him in ADOC. He could have been a doctor, a therapist, a teacher, a researcher -- seriously, he's brilliant. But the warden at Holman declined to even let him take GED classes. Thankfully his family believed in him and paid for him to get his HS diploma and AA degree -- via correspondence (since they have no access to the internet). But yes -- my husband's story is the same as thousands -- even millions all over this country. Bodies confined -- that had so much potential. The majority of men in prison are not serial killers or career criminals. They are simply accused of doing felony crimes and in 9 times out of 10 had terrible legal defense. Sure -- don't break the law. Don't sell fentanyl and break into homes and rob them. But do those crimes mean that you spend 20+ years in prison? Even in the worst crimes -- like murder, rape and kidnapping. How many times do you have over-eager DAs who care more about appearance rather than truth and justice. Look at the Central Park 5 and The Chicago 7. You would be foolish to believe that those situations are anomalies. The mistreatment in prisons is just a farce. It is brainwashing to think those incarcerated are animals. And they don't deserve anything near what they experience in their deplorable living conditions. We as a society should be ashamed of ourselves.
Hello Rishona and thank you for reading and thank you for sharing some of your family's situation. I agree with every word! I'm sorry, but not surprised, to hear about your husband's situation. If you are interested in talking more, you can email me directly bethshelburne1974@gmail.com. Take care of yourself! Wishing you all the best.
"I don't give a fuck" is where our legislators are when confronted by facts they find uncomfortable. It seems to be a common thread for each state. This is an excellent piece of investigative journalism. Well done. Twenty years ago I would have taken you up on your offer to help me with a story like this for Michigan. I'm not able to do all that mental or physical work now, but I admire your tenacity. I have restacked this article, and I hope others will too so it starts to get some traction. Good work, and best of wishes to you.
I was surprised when I read the term “relative silence”. I was sure from the first installment that this series would result in huge public outcry, given how much we care about our tax dollars. Can you clarify whose silence you are referring to? Politicians, public, media, all of the above? So does nobody give a fuck?
Pretty much all that you named except media, there have been a few op-eds and other journalists seem more interested than anyone. Totally agree with you!
I think she was referring to our legislators
Yes, def silence from our legislators. NOT A PEEP.
Thank you Beth for continuing to dig until you found this layer of depravity in ADOC. I too hoped hearing about the injustices would move the general public, that didn't seem to make a difference. Maybe the tax waste (lawyers fees) you've uncovered will move more of us to speak up and do something.
Excellent reporting!! Beth you dug and dug and then put it out there for us all to see! Most know our judicial system is corrupt along with ADOC and AG but hiding a fund that pays for corruption is unreal! There’s a fund like that in Washington DC for senators and congressmen which pays off accusers of rape, abuse and assault, none of these employees should be given free attorneys for breaking the law! They all should be held accountable and prosecuted all the way up to AG Marshal! All don’t care about the community, they just want to suck people dry, from the incarcerated ‘s families to DAs, Judges, all of ADOC ! They are as guilty as the officers that they get Attorney Lunsford and his staff to defend with taxpayer money that we never even approved for! It’s a shame and quite ridiculous that they get millions and the the ones harmed don’t even get a tenth! This system is broken and people need to remember all the unjustified assaults and deaths that these legislators have continued to let occur by the votes and actions of themselves even after families showed up and told the! I’m sure back door dealing continues. People need to vote them all out , both sides because these men and women don’t deserve the hell them and their families have and are going through, enough is enough with all these evil greedy people!!! Thank you Beth for exposing them all!
Thank you Sherrie! I share your outrage.
Well done. Great reporting.
Thank you!
I hope my comment makes clear that being an excellent journalist (and this certainly qualifies) is still a valued attribute. And that we need this kind of insight more now than ever. Bravo!
The Trump Administration has effectively shuttered the DOJ Civil Rights Division, and has also strengthened the limited immunity/indemnity granted to LEOs. Thus, lawsuits such as the ones you uncovered will likely come to a halt. Eighth-Amendment violations of prisoners' rights will cease to exist. Cruelty to inmates will continue, with no recourse for them & their families. Alabama taxpayers will no longer be on the hook for either settlements or defense lawyer fees for ADOC personnel. The gross and grotesque moral turpitude of Alabama's governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and Republican state legislators will have been rewarded. Unless we, the voters, rise up in sufficient numbers to kick the GOP/MAGA bums out of elective office.
Such an important topic to bring to light. My husband is incarcerated in Alabama -- or being held hostage as it sits in my mind. Some moments I have hope. But in most others, you panic and flail that you are losing the battle. But the problem goes way beyond the prison walls and excessive force (although it is horrible -- but just the tip of the iceberg). It really goes back to how we see crime in this country. The behaviors that we choose to criminalize. In our case -- I don't even understand how my husband is in prison to begin -- much less sentenced to decades. As a US citizen who has only been to traffic court (and family court unfortunately -- but that's another can of worms); I had no idea whatsoever that if you are with someone who is or has recently committed a crime, then you are guilty as well (yes, I saw that documentary 'Time' with Ms. Fox., but to be fair, they seemed to premeditate it) My husband's situation was being drunk and not understanding what the people he was with were doing. That's it. Not to mention he was a minor to boot. Anyway -- that 'crime' landed him in ADOC. He could have been a doctor, a therapist, a teacher, a researcher -- seriously, he's brilliant. But the warden at Holman declined to even let him take GED classes. Thankfully his family believed in him and paid for him to get his HS diploma and AA degree -- via correspondence (since they have no access to the internet). But yes -- my husband's story is the same as thousands -- even millions all over this country. Bodies confined -- that had so much potential. The majority of men in prison are not serial killers or career criminals. They are simply accused of doing felony crimes and in 9 times out of 10 had terrible legal defense. Sure -- don't break the law. Don't sell fentanyl and break into homes and rob them. But do those crimes mean that you spend 20+ years in prison? Even in the worst crimes -- like murder, rape and kidnapping. How many times do you have over-eager DAs who care more about appearance rather than truth and justice. Look at the Central Park 5 and The Chicago 7. You would be foolish to believe that those situations are anomalies. The mistreatment in prisons is just a farce. It is brainwashing to think those incarcerated are animals. And they don't deserve anything near what they experience in their deplorable living conditions. We as a society should be ashamed of ourselves.
Hello Rishona and thank you for reading and thank you for sharing some of your family's situation. I agree with every word! I'm sorry, but not surprised, to hear about your husband's situation. If you are interested in talking more, you can email me directly bethshelburne1974@gmail.com. Take care of yourself! Wishing you all the best.
"I don't give a fuck" is where our legislators are when confronted by facts they find uncomfortable. It seems to be a common thread for each state. This is an excellent piece of investigative journalism. Well done. Twenty years ago I would have taken you up on your offer to help me with a story like this for Michigan. I'm not able to do all that mental or physical work now, but I admire your tenacity. I have restacked this article, and I hope others will too so it starts to get some traction. Good work, and best of wishes to you.
Thank you for the kind words & restack! I appreciate you.
Thank you. Excellent reporting. I have restacked several excerpts.
This is on our watch list for when it comes to HBO, even though I know it will harrowing.