Alabama prison hearings

During a recent public hearing by Alabama's Joint Legislative Prison Committee, family members of incarcerated individuals shared harrowing accounts of violence, neglect, and drug availability within the state's prison system. Deandre Roney's sister recounted her brother's death by stabbing after he reported threats to prison staff, while other families described extortion and deaths due to overdoses, emphasizing the urgent need for reform. The Alabama Department of Corrections has faced criticism for overcrowding, understaffing, and a lack of rehabilitation programs, with at least 161 deaths reported this year alone. Lawmakers, while acknowledging the issues, noted the slow pace of change within the system, urging families to continue advocating for reform. Meanwhile, the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles has increased its parole rates, a small positive shift attributed to the families' advocacy. Overall, the hearing highlighted the desperate need for improved conditions to ensure the safety and dignity of inmates.