By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher William Thomas was found hanging inside his segregation cell at St. Clair Correctional Facility on Aug. 7, 2023. Although he lived, he’s still fighting to get his life back from the severe brain injury that has robbed him of his speech and mobility. Though William eventually was released from the […]
By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher Stephanie Lewis on Thursday was fighting to learn more about how her husband died at Childersburg Work Release facility in Alpine on Wednesday. No one would tell her where his body was. And there were rumors that his death was the result of excessive force by officers. Rodrequis Woods, 42, […]
By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher Deborah Tolbert found her son slumped over on her garage floor. After Jonathan Tolbert survived an Alabama prison, where he was raped by several men, beaten and stabbed, the physical and psychological wounds persisted. He died at the age of 27. Jonathan Tolbert was only 18 when he tried heroin […]
By Carla Crowder, Executive Director Dear friends and supporters, Five years ago, Appleseed waded into the despair within Alabama’s prison system with a determination to confront unnecessary incarceration one life at a time. Today, we celebrate freedom for 30 people once condemned to life sentences. Not 30 cases. Not 30 wins. These are 30 people, […]
By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher Two officers at St. Clair Correctional Facility were treated for exposure to an unidentified substance on November 29, requiring both to be given the life-saving NARCAN treatment and one of those officers to be hospitalized, the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) confirmed for Appleseed. It’s unclear from ADOC’s response what […]
By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher More people died in Alabama prisons per capita than in any state in the nation in 2024, and at a rate that was nearly double those of the next highest state. In 2023 Alabama’s prison death total was even higher. Alabama prison’s mortality rate in 2024 was 101.81 per 100,000 […]
James Jones, who was once condemned to die in an Alabama prison, took the stage at the Woodlawn Theatre and sang a love song in front of a crowd of mostly strangers last Thursday night. It was Appleseed’s annual Celebrate Justice event, which brought together 200 Alabamians committed to Appleseed’s mission and eager to connect […]
Ready to support much needed prison reform in Alabama and enjoy a joyous, musical event featuring Grammy-winning bluesman Alvin Youngblood Hart? Of course you are! Plans for Appleseed’s annual fundraiser are in full swing. This year’s celebration centers around creating community, hope, and joy through music. This event will bring together three amazing artists to […]
By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher Anniston, AL — There are days when I have to step away from the work as my phone rings with another desperate voice, a mother crying over a son who’s been killed or overdosed inside an Alabama prison, a sister pleading for help to save a brother being threatened. I’ve […]
Mr. Haggins served a decade in prison for a $29 robbery and has paid more than $15,000 in parole supervision fees since his release in 1991. By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher MONTGOMERY, AL — Bennie Haggins sat in a waiting area before his pardon hearing was set to begin on Wednesday in Montgomery and talked […]
Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice
400 South Union Street, Suite 355
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
2 Office Park Circle, Suite 10
Birmingham, AL 35223
Phone: (205) 963-7999
admin@alabamaappleseed.org