This Week Injustice- March 31, 2024
Easter Sunday edition
Happy Easter to those who celebrate and a good Sunday to all. I hope your week was productive and healthy and your Sunday is restful and peaceful.
I wish there was better news to send you, but in a newsletter summarizing developments surrounding injustice in Alabama, it’s often very hard to find the silver lining.
This weekend I reported on yet another mysterious, sudden and unforeseen death inside Alabama’s prison hellscape.
Jeff Hall died abruptly at Limestone prison after officers yanked him out of his honor dorm housing assignment for reasons Jeff wasn’t given, and placed him in a different dorm. His wife Lisa learned of his death the next morning. The cause is unclear, and there’s no telling what happened, but I’ll continue to push for answers.
Here’s a look at the rest of the stories I followed this week.
ADOC/PAROLES
If Alabama’s prison system was a low-rent motel, it would face immediate closure. In this fantastic op-ed, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Stephen Wallace makes the case for HB 29, a second chance bill that would allow local judges to consider a narrow population of older incarcerated people for re-sentencing. The bill is still alive in the legislative session.
AL Political Reporter examines the latest quarterly report from ADOC, which shows 78 people died in prison the last 3 months of 2023.
The latest in a series on Alabama’s busted parole board looks at the three board members, led by former prosecutor Leigh Gwathney, and calls to replace them.
DEATH PENALTY
Gov. Ivey, during Easter week no less, sets the execution date for Jamie Mills for May 30. His attorneys asked the AL Supreme Court to delay the execution while they pursued a claim of prosecutorial misconduct involving a concealed plea deal with the key witness, but the court instead authorized his execution. Then Ivey sent out an Easter message celebrating redemption. Insert vomit emoji.
More coverage of the rally in Montgomery on behalf of Rocky Myers. This headline makes me wonder about word choice. Seems like “activist” has a negative connotation. Why not just say people?
POLICE
Diversion programs like drug court are expensive. Jefferson County is trying a different way. AL Reflector has a thoughtful piece on this important issue.
A deep dive into a case of excessive force by a Birmingham cop that led to a U.S. veteran with dementia dying a month later. Worth a read.
Shelby County community corrections employee charged with offering clean urine for cash to drug court participants.
A grand jury clears Tuscaloosa police in the shooting of Black man during a traffic stop last year. Officers said 24 y/o Tristan Clark reached for his gun. Witnesses in the car have disputed that.
War on drugs in Alabama just got a big cash infusion. Gov. Kay Ivey awarded $1.6 million from the DOJ to the state’s 7 regional drug task force’s and ALEA.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION/POLICY
Yet another draconian bill is introduced to criminalize access to abortion. HB 378, sponsored by Rep. Mark Gidley, R-Hokes Bluff, would make it a crime to help someone under 18 get an abortion without informing the parents.
The state’s latest voter suppression law criminalizes paid organizers helping people vote by mail, but civil rights groups think it’s unconstitutional. Bolts Magazine examines the new law & its lawfulness.
A bill that would require public schools to provide research-based education on fentanyl dangers is expected to go to full house next week. HB 280 is named after Price Hornsby, an Auburn teen who died in 2019.
Another bill would allow probate judges to consider substance use in deciding on involuntary commitments. SB 240, requested by the association of County Commissions of Alabama, doesn’t allow people to be committed solely for addiction, but can include addiction, along with mental illness.
Alabama’s Department of Youth Services (DYS) is set to receive a $1 million increase in its annual budget, which is less than they wanted. DYS is involved in administering “juvenile justice” including jailing children. The director says they have put aside $500K for a new juvenile jail.
A thoughtful piece about how states are working to undo progressive criminal justice reforms. Alabama isn’t mentioned, but make no mistake about it. All the recent changes at the parole board are in direct response to reform legislation from 2015, a more subtle (sneakier) way to undo the Justice Reinvestment Act.
OTHER NEWS
Mothers against gun violence launch new public safety campaign in Birmingham. The campaign is called “Don’t shoot: I want to grow up.”
Profile on “The Surge Project,” a nonprofit in Birmingham aimed at giving young people opportunities to thrive through violence prevention.
Seven years ago, today I met this precious man (Jeff Hall) for the first time. What a strange but wonderful experience it was. I never thought I would marry a man in prison but, I did. When I first met him, he told me story of what happened & why he was in the prison. He said, "They call me a 'sex offender' for an incident that he and his wife at that time had done many times. Greed, anger, money, the suicide of their only child took over. Their marriage as he said "was really great" for 23 years. Moving on, the devil played a deep roll into their marriage & they divorced, he went to prison, she kept the house, land and money. Afterwards, I met Jeff in prison. All he had was the biggest heart. I was content with just that! As he told me his about the past, made it clear that he was considered a 'sex offender.' Most people think right away that a child was involved but not in this story. He would say "remember, I am a sex offender now" which troubled him terribly. I remember telling him "I sure hope so" as we laughed to ease his pain regarding his charges.
Although he was in prison, he still had hopes and dreams as anyone would. He had the best attitude about making the best in life in a horrific situation. Over the last few days since his death, several people told me over and over, "Lisa, he was my best friend." The same exact words over and over. From people in different directions who did not, in many cases, even know each other. Still, those same words kept coming. I am amazing at the wake that he left in peoples' heart, the love they had for Jeff, the outpouring of prayers and love I received because of Jeff.
The conclusion is, just because a man goes to prison, does not mean he is this horrible person that others want to betray them as. Jeff was a kind, God-fearing man who only wanted to make a difference in people's lives. I know he did in mine that will go with me forever. I will see him in heaven one day. I am grateful for every second we shared, the phone calls, every visit, & every thought. Thank You Jeff Hall for simply marrying me and being my husband as well as 'My Best Friend!'
Beth, I want to thank you for what you do. You are admired by many who need to know that someone is out there simply trying to make even one change. You are a diamond to many & I want to make sure you know that. Thank You for all you do!
Mrs. Jeffery Michael Hall (Lisa)
Thank you for all you do!