Good evening,
Daffodils are beginning to bloom around the state, a lovely foreshadowing of spring. But things aren’t as pretty in the Alabama legislature.
Of all the dystopian shit floated by the state GOP, a bill allowing the jailing of librarians might be the most outrageous.
But my outrage meter is already fatigued, so I’ll focus on the tiny bit of encouraging news this week, a study that finds the majority of Alabamians support giving people serving life sentences a second chance. Yes, it’s not enough, but hopefully it’s a start.
Here’s a look at the rest of the headlines this week in justice and injustice.
ADOC
Gov. Ivey appeared on Capital Journal and talked about prisons. Host Todd Stacy tried to press her on whether the astronomical spending by ADOC and mega-prison construction were eating into other priorities, like healthcare. She delivered a non answer: “It’s a hard nut to crack.” If you can stomach it, her interview starts around 20 minutes in.
Lawmakers will have to look for money to build a second new prison in Escambia county, after “design changes and construction cost increases” ate up the entire $1 billion mega-prison construction budget that was supposed to pay for two new prisons, but will now just cover one in Elmore County. Last week Gov. Ivey said inflation was to blame for the increase.
Family of man who died in prison and body was returned missing organs deciding on whether to exhume body. Kelvin Moore’s family asked for his organs to be returned and retrieved a red biohazard bag from UAB, but now have doubts those were actually their loved ones organs. Another family says their loved one’s body was returned missing a brain. John Archibald writes about the lack of accountability in this ongoing horror story.
Poll says vast majority of Alabamians support second chance bill, giving possible sentencing relief to people serving life for crimes with no physical injury.
Final hearing of Opioid Settlement Oversight Commission heard from 10 health organizations on how to best appropriate the $270 million settlement money.
A lawsuit filed by man on Alabama’s death row argues Kenneth Smith’s execution by nitrogen hypoxia was “a human experiment that officials botched miserably” and cannot be repeated.
As the state eyes more executions by nitrogen suffocation, opponents target gas supply, ABC news reports.
POLICE
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy on administrative duty despite being indicted in two separate on-duty shootings from April of 2023.
Alabama’s Fraternal Order of Police advocating for more mental health services for law enforcement. This comes after a 43 y/o Elmore County deputy died by suicide right after having lunch with fellow officers during a training event in Fultondale.
Former Decatur police officer indicted in the shooting death of Stephen Perkins pleads not guilty to murder. Trial date has been set for November of 2024. More protestors are arrested and the Alabama Political Reporter asks, Is the Decatur Police Department Retaliating Against Protestors?
Jefferson County program reducing violent crime involving teens and young adults.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION/OTHER NEWS
Alabama senate passes controversial bill that makes it a Class B felony to pay someone for assistance with an absentee ballot. The so-called “ballot harvesting” bill has been widely criticized as a form of voter suppression.
Legislature considers bill that would make it a crime for clergy to have sex with children and teenagers under 19.
A (long overdue) bill to increase pay for attorneys who represent indigent clients passed the state senate. SB 83, sponsored by Rep. Roger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, would replace the current $70 an hour rate with a new rate schedule based on crime a client is charged with and other factors.
New study on Alabama’s racial disparities in juvenile justice system uncovers several stunning new data points, like a Black student is suspended from school every 15 minutes in Alabama, almost twice as often as white students.
Attorneys say prosecutor violated journalists First Amendment rights in case of criminal charges lobbed at reporter and publisher of Atmore News. DA that pressed charges remains silent, accused of trying to silence reporters.
Final hearing of Opioid Settlement Oversight Commission heard from 10 health organizations on how to best appropriate the $270 million settlement money.
Thank you, Beth, for keeping the spotlight on these issues.
I flagged this to pass along to you when it came into my inbox from Bioneers: "In this week's newsletter, we're diving into the transformative power of restorative justice." https://mailchi.mp/bioneers/icymi-from-harm-to-healing-the-restorative-justice-movement?e=66f436db0a. Lots of rich reading!