In the News
Follow the coverage of Alabama Appleseed’s work, news mentions and opinion editorials written by staff members. If you’re interested in speaking with Appleseed, please email megan.cheek@alabamaappleseed.org.
Follow the coverage of Alabama Appleseed’s work, news mentions and opinion editorials written by staff members. If you’re interested in speaking with Appleseed, please email megan.cheek@alabamaappleseed.org.
5/30/2023 | By Sarah Whites-Koditschek
Most victims of crime have committed crime themselves, according to a new report, and criminal justice system often contributes to the problems it sets out to solve.
“Whether it is intended or not, we have a system that is unresponsive to the realities of the people most likely to experience the harms that the system is putatively in place to mitigate and respond to,” said Leah Nelson, research director at Alabama Appleseed, a nonprofit policy group focused on poverty and criminal justice.
5/21/2023 | John Archibald
I feel dizzy. Lightheaded. Like I’m on unfamiliar ground and can’t get my bearings.
I’m sitting here looking at the work of the Alabama Legislature and – what’s that feeling in my face?
My God. I’m smiling.
Because even now, in the age of division and contention and purity politics and team spirit over common good, the Alabama Legislature did something to indicate that reason still lives. Even in Montgomery.
5/10/2023 | Mike Cason
A bill to allow some inmates serving sentences of life without parole whose crimes did not cause a serious physical injury to apply for reduced sentences won approval Wednesday in the Alabama House Judiciary Committee.
Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, said the bill would be an important first step toward sentencing reform. England, a longtime proponent of reform, said the bill, HB229 is a compromise version of a “Second Chance” bill developed in cooperation with the attorney general’s office and Republicans on the Judiciary Committee.
4/19/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Criminal justice reform advocates hosted a rally Wednesday at the Alabama State House for a bill to allow some people sentenced under the state’s Habitual Offender Felony Act to have their cases reviewed.
HB 229, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, would limit reviews to offenders who have not caused a physical injury and not necessarily result in release from prison. But supporters called it a ‘second chance’ bill.
“We are hopeful that legislators understand what we are trying to do, and we are hopeful that this bill will pass,” said Carla Crowder, executive director of Alabama Appleseed, the organization hosting the event.
Alabama’s response to crime focuses on punishment rather than prevention, report finds
5/30/2023 | AL.com
Bill could make it harder to suspend a driver’s license over missed court date, payment
5/23/2023 | CBS42
Alabama lawmakers pass bill to hlpe drivers avoid license suspensions
5/21/2023 | WSFA12
Alabama Legislature pulls a stunner
5/21/2023 | AL.com
Alabama Legislature corrects a problem that needed fixin’
5/21/2023 | Bibb Voice
NFL’s Inspire Change hits $300 million in support for social justice
5/19/2023 | The Source
Committee approves bill to allow some AL prisoners serving life to seek new sentences
5/10/2023 | AL.com
Alabama bill would enable review of some habitual offender sentences
5/10/2023 | AP News
Formerly incarcerated men plead for passage of “second chance” bill
4/20/2023 | Alabama Political Reporter
‘I’m haunted by this’: Retired Congressman Spencer Bachus returns to Montgomery to lobby for Second Chance legislation
4/20/2023 | AL.com
Advocates rally in support of bill to allow review of specific older inmates sentenced to life under HFOA
4/20/2023 | 1819 News
Second Chance bill could free some older prisoners serving life sentences in Alabama
4/19/2023 | AL.com
Criminal justice reform groups hold rally for habitual offender bill
4/19/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Alabama lawmakers appear to accept new $1 billion price tag for Elmore County prison
3/17/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Board of Pardons and Paroles denies parole to a dead man
3/17/2023 | Alabama Political Reporter
Suspended licenses driving workforce shortage and loss of millions in consumer spending
3/14/2023 | ABC 33/40
Families, friends of incarcerated individuals gather at Alabama State Capitol
3/8/2023 | Alabama Political Reporter
Family members, advocates hold State Capitol vigil for people who died in Alabama prisons
3/7/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Alabama Appleseed premieres Second Chance Double Feature at Sidewalk Cinema
3/7/2023 | AL.com
Advocates push for change to Alabama prison release victim notification system
2/23/2023 | WAFF48
Alabama prisons won’t release elderly and ailing: ‘I sure did think I would die in there’
2/21/2023 | AL.com
Advocates urge release of elderly inmates, saving state millions
2/9/2023 | ABC 33/40
Ron McKeithen spent 37 years behind bars for a robbery in Birmingham. Now, he is using his freedom to help others
2/8/2023 | CBS 42
Life after prison can work
2/7/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Advocates look to revive Alabama criminal justice reform bills
2/7/2023 | Alabama Reflector
12 things Alabama’s courts, prisons need to address in 2023
2/7/2023 | Montgomery Advertiser
Senate bill named for fallen Bibb Co. Deputy cuts down ‘good time’ inmates can serve
1/24/2023 | WBRC6
Bill named for slain deputy reduces prison ‘good time’ release
1/19/2023 | Alabama Daily News
Parole denied for 90% of Alabama inmates, a new low
1/17/2023 | AP News
Incarcerated man found dead at Donaldson Correctional Facility
1/10/2023 | Alabama Political Reporter
Ivey announces rules for prison ‘good time’ incentives
1/9/2023 | AP News
Gov. Kay Ivey changes ‘good time’ policy for Alabama inmates
1/9/2023 | AL.com
Ivey details order for how ‘good time’ among prisoners can be revoked
1/9/2023 | Montgomery Advertiser
Group calls for transparency as ADOC removes inmate death statistics from monthly reports
1/4/2023 | CBS 42
People to Watch: Ronald McKeithen Helps Others Get Start After Prison
12/23/2022 | Montgomery Advertiser
60-year-old Incarcerated Man Dies at Donaldson
12/13/2022 | Alabama Political Reporter
Most of Alabama’s Problems Can Be Solved By Political Engagement
12/12/2022 | Alabama Political Reporter
Elderly Incarcerated Man Confirmed Dead at Donaldson
12/8/2022 | Alabama Political Reporter
Marijuana Decriminalization Debate Continues
11/18/2022 | Valdosta Daily Times
Report: Elderly Prisoners Put Financial Strain on ADOC
11/14/2022 | Alabama Political Reporter
New Report Shows Aging Inmate Population is Straining Prison System
11/9/2022 | Montgomery Advertiser
Experts Describe the Alabama Prison Where an Inmate Died Last Month as an Overcrowded ‘Slaughterhouse’
11/7/2022 | Insider
Society Averts Eyes from ‘Living Death Sentence’ of Prisoners in Alabama
10/15/2022 | Irish Examiner
Alabama Said Prison Strike was ‘Under Control.’ Footage Shows System in Deadly Disarray
10/6/2022 | The Marshall Project
Leaders Across Alabama Weigh-In on Biden’s Pardoning Federal Marijuana Convictions
10/6/2022 | ABC 33/40
Alabama Urged to Follow Biden on Marijuana Possession Pardon
10/6/2022 | AL.com
Alabama Prison Strike Continues
9/29/2022 | Waging Nonviolence
As Fentanyl Deaths Rise, Alabama Officials Face Vexing Question
9/25/2022 | AL.com
Class D Felony “Experiment” a Failure
9/20/2022 | Alabama Daily News
Inside Alabama’s Worse Speed Traps
9/19/2022 | AL.com
Group Announces Release of 80-Year-Old Who Spent Decades In AL Prison
9/12/2022 | Birmingham Times
Pilot Program to Aid Incarcerated Individuals Get Government ID
9/12/2022 | Alabama Political Reporter
Barfoot: Driver’s License Suspension Bill Should Come Back in 2023 Session
9/7/2022 | Alabama Daily News
“Love Without Parole” Documentary Tells Story of Alabamian Released from Prison
8/10/2022 | Alabama Political Reporter
After Uvalde, Alabama Schools Weigh Increases in SRO’s
7/31/2022 | AL.com
Alabama Takes from the Poor to Give to the Rich
7/27/2022 | New York Times
Alabama Bond Sale for Mega Prisons Falls $200 Million Short
6/30/2022 | AP
Deliberate Indifference
6/2022 | WBHM
Municipal Court Fine Reporting, Fee Revenue Cap Bills Pass Legislature
4/12/2022 | Alabama Daily News
Nothing Costs More than Having No Money
4/7/2022 | AL.com
Driver’s License Suspension Bill Awaits Decision in Final Days of Session
4/5/2022 | Alabama Daily News
UAB Eye Care Provides Services to Previously Incarcerated Men Preparing for Reentry into Society
3/28/2022 | UAB News
Parole Denials Skyrocket in Alabama
3/25/2022 | WAFF
Alabama Medical Cannabis Program Could Roll Out by Spring 2023
3/22/2022 | WIAT
Local Man Turns Life Around After Serving 37 Years in Prison
3/15/2022 | Alabama News Network
Appleseed: People get out of prison all the time. The question is – then what?
2/15/2023 | Alabama Daily News
Op-Ed: Why is Alabama So Intent on Criminalizing Poverty
3/30/2022 | Yellowhammer News
Op-Ed: Cops Who Prey on Drivers So Their Cities Can Profit
2/1/2022 | CNN Opinion
Op-Ed: It’s Not Too Late for Alabama to Save $100’s of Millions and Cut Crime
1/19/2022 | Comeback Town
Op-Ed: Fewer People Went to Prison. Crime Dropped. Let’s Build on Our Success
7/4/2021 | Alabama Daily News
Op-Ed: With HB129, Lawmakers Have an Opportunity to Pass Business-Friendly Legislation
3/10/2021 | Alabama Daily News
Op-Ed: Worsley Case Shows How System Fails
9/8/2020 | Alabama Daily News
Op-Ed: A Poll Tax by Any Other Name
7/9/2020 | Facing South
Op-Ed: Changes Needed on Funding for Courts, Law Enforcement
5/7/2020 | Alabama Daily News
Op-Ed: Alabama’s Diversion Programs Are In Trouble. We Must Do Better
2/17/2020 | Alabama Daily News
Money for nothing: More prisons and more punishment haven’t made us safer
2/6/2020 | Yellowhammer
Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice
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Montgomery, Alabama 36104
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Birmingham, AL 35223
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