Blog – Alabama Appleseed

The State of Justice Blog

A 71-year old man finally walks free, after marijuana sent him away

Alabama prisons, Carla Crowder, Fair Schools, Safe Communities, Habitual Felony Offender Act, Marijuana reform

By Carla Crowder, Appleseed Executive Director Birmingham, Ala. -- A little more justice slowly made its way into Alabama this week. Roberto Cruz, a 71-year-old man who had been sentenced to die in prison for a case involving marijuana…

Black Belt COVID-19 testing improves, but there is much more to do

Akiesha Anderson, Author, COVID-19, News

By Akiesha Anderson, Appleseed Policy Director On March 30th, Alabama Appleseed sent a letter to Dr. Scott Harris—Director of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), and Brian Hastings—Director of the Alabama Department of Emergency…

“People are dying. They had us in there for tickets.”

Alabama Appleseed News, COVID-19, Fair Schools, Safe Communities, Fines and Fees, Leah Nelson

By Leah Nelson, Appleseed Research Director MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- When police pulled Reunca Lewis over near downtown Montgomery on April 17, the 23-year-old Montgomery resident was baffled. Lewis’s car had been stolen and then involved in…

Introducing Akiesha Anderson, Appleseed's new policy director

News

My name is Akiesha Anderson and I am thrilled to join Appleseed! As Policy Director, my role will primarily focus on policy development, legislative advocacy, coalition building, engaging with public officials and assisting with legal projects. As…

Fines, Fees, and Financial Security in the US South

Fair Schools, Safe Communities, Fines and Fees, News

The following report is part of Appleseed’s collaboration with the Aspen Institute’s Financial Security Program and also appears on the Aspen Institute blog. For many individuals and households, a $200 traffic ticket can devastate savings…

In Alabama, prison diversion programs are funded by participants. And those payments are made at a terrible cost.

Alabama prisons, Fair Schools, Safe Communities, Fines and Fees, Leah Nelson

On Dec. 4, 2019, the Governor's Study Group on Criminal Justice Reform convened at the Alabama Statehouse to hear proposals from the public on how to address Alabama's prison crisis. Appleseed Research Director Leah Nelson was among the 20 presenters,…