Blog – Alabama Appleseed

The State of Justice Blog

Looking past the political ads and sensational headlines, the surprising truth about crime rates

By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher Alabamians are faced with competing narratives regarding crime and punishment. On one hand, Alabama’s prison system is brutal, broken, and fails to rehabilitate. On the other hand, some…

Welcome Extern Erin Nicole Smith!

Intern, News

My name is Erin Nicole Smith and I am humbled to work at Alabama Appleseed as a Policy Extern. I am currently a 2L at The University of Alabama School of Law and am seeking opportunities to embrace social justice activism. I have a bachelor’s…

Alabama man incarcerated for minor offenses is beaten by an ADOC officer; the assault is captured on video

News

By Eddie Burkhalter An Alabama correctional officer, caught on video beating an incarcerated man on a prison rooftop last week, has been placed on mandatory leave. The violence caught on camera and shared widely on social media…

Leaving prison on a walker, in time for his 80th birthday celebration

Alabama prisons, Carla Crowder, News

By Carla Crowder, Executive Director Leaning on his walker, Robert Cheeks shuffled out of Donaldson Correctional Facility and took his first breaths as a free man in 37 years. He was 79 years old. The state of Alabama meant for…

Violence, then silence

Alabama prisons, Eddie Burkhalter, News

Family members of incarcerated people struggle for answers as violence and death escalate in ADOC prisons By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher It was five days after Jason Freeman was found lying in the yard at Ventress Correctional…

Appleseed is Hiring a Social Worker

Alabama Appleseed News

About Alabama Appleseed: Alabama Appleseed is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1999 whose mission is to achieve justice and equity for all Alabamians. Alabama Appleseed conducts integrated culture and policy change…