This Week Injustice- May 12, 2024

Mother's Day edition

Minooka Park. Chilton County, Alabama

I realize the Mother’s Day edition of this newsletter is one day late. Fitting, isn’t it? Motherhood, at least for me, has been like trying to stay on top of a constantly shifting sand pile. I sink and stumble, as sand blows off in scattering gusts. At times, I worry I’ll be swallowed, as if motherhood is “a form of obliteration,” examined by writer Maggie Nelson in The Argonauts. Other times I stand up straight, the pile is packed solid and sturdy. My feet are planted. I am the opposite of destroyed.

The point is the sand pile changes, moment to moment, day to day, it doesn’t cease evolving, never stops moving. In this 50th year of my life, I finally understand that my job, as mother, is to go with this sand pile as it reforms, to adapt my posture and stance as if I am riding a wave. And even if I go under, I won’t drown.

But motherhood as metaphor is oversimplified. It is hard to be a mother today, but exponentially harder for millions of mothers our government separates from their children by jailing or imprisoning them. The majority of incarcerated women, 58 percent, are mothers. I am thinking of them on Mother’s Day.

I am also thinking of people who are undermothered, unmothered, motherless. The children who never had anyone try to balance on the pile of their shifting sands. Mother’s Day is not a greeting card, especially for them.

Whatever mother category you fall into, may you feel peace and safety today.

Now here’s a look at the stories that made headlines last week. Be well.

SOMETHING POSITIVE

Birmingham groups free Black mothers from jail for Mother’s Day. The organizations seek to offer relief to women behind held pre-trial & reduce the harms of incarceration. 

Second chance hiring fair breaks barriers for formerly incarcerated people. Jefferson. County DA Danny Carr has been a champion in this area. 

A Birmingham synagogue’s exhibit asks, “What would you have done?” during the civil rights movement, featured in the NY Times. 

LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Hurray to Sen. Roger Smitherman (D-Jefferson County) for filibustering the insane bill aimed at criminalizing librarians. HB 385, sponsored by Republican Arnold Mooney of Shelby County, failed to make the Senate’s agenda on the last day of the session. Good Riddance!

Senate judiciary committee passes bail reform bill despite opposition from bail bondsman. 

Bill improving the state’s abysmal open records law passes. Gov. Ivey signs it into law. Agencies must now respond to requests. Yep, that’s the improvement. 

In response to the Carly Russell kidnapping hoax last year, Alabama increases punishment for false reporting to police, making it a felony. Red flag anytime legislation comes in response to a single case. The bill sponsors were mad that Ms. Russell only served time in jail, not prison. Ms. Russel was suffering from mental health issues at the time. This thoughtful opinion piece gives context on false reporting laws & why Alabama’s change could make things worse. 

Thankfully the controversial bill to rewrite the state Ethics Law (and many say make corruption easier) died for the session. 

In the final days of the session, the Senate Judiciary Committee took up a bunch of criminal justice related bills. 

Alabama’s brand new sex trafficking law, called “The Sound of Freedom Act,” could actually end up punishing victims of sex trafficking. A worthy examination of the new law and possible consequences by Reason. 

Finally, here’s a comprehensive look at what passed & what failed this session. 

ADOC/PAROLES/DEATH PENALTY

Gov. Ivey schedules second execution attempt of Alan Miller, this time they’ll try to suffocate him using nitrogen hypoxia, despite evidence that Kenneth Smith suffered tremendously during the first nitrogen hypoxia execution. 

New lawsuit over prison labor- 6 incarcerated people sue the state saying Alabama is forcing them to work against their will and violating the change in the state constitution that bans slavery in all forms. 

POLICING

Bodycam video of fatal police shooting on Florida’s panhandle. The family of victim, Roger Forston, a U.S. Air Force Airman, is demanding answers. 

The U.S. Supreme court made it harder for people to retrieve property seized by police, based on a case filed by two women from Alabama whose cars were seized. The ruling says innocent people whose property is seized by police have no right to immediate hearing. 

Tuscaloosa county jail moves people in jail to temporary facility as the old jail undergoes a renovation. Larger section will include medical and psychiatric services. 

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Alabama third worst state for mental health, says Forbes Magazine, cites high rate of uninsured, high cost and few resources. 

Former Mississippi sheriff pleads guilty to extorting nude pictures from a woman in jail in exchange for favorable treatment.