Blog – Alabama Appleseed

The State of Justice Blog

So far this year, someone has died every other day in an Alabama prison.

By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher Alabama prison deaths are again surging, after state prisons saw a record high year of deaths in 2022. At least eight men have died in Alabama prisons this month, following 12 deaths in…

Alabama leaders promised an automated, statewide victim notification system 15 years ago. We’re still waiting for it.

Eddie Burkhalter, News

By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher Politicians across Alabama expressed concern and outrage when victims were not notified in advance of planned releases of several hundred people from Alabama Department of Corrections…

New Data Tool from Council of State Governments Should Help Guide Criminal Justice Decisions

Eddie Burkhalter, News

By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher A recent report by the nonpartisan, nonprofit Council of State Governments (CSG) found that overall crime, including violent crime, across the U.S. and in Alabama, has been on the decline. The…

Another free man, safe from the chaos of Alabama’s violent prisons.

Alabama prisons, Carla Crowder, News

A bungled robbery in 1983 sent Lee Davis to prison on a life without parole sentence. Appleseed’s legal work brought him home. By Carla Crowder, Executive Director Lee Davis spent 39 years incarcerated for a robbery conviction…

266 lives lost in state government custody

Alabama prisons, Eddie Burkhalter, News

Alabama prison deaths reach record levels in 2022. The Department of Corrections’ response? Less reporting on deaths. By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher Eddie Richmond was 17 years old at the time of the robbery that led…

At age 70, Willie Ingram is free after spending four decades in prison for a $20 robbery

Alabama prisons, Carla Crowder, Habitual Felony Offender Act

by Carla Crowder, Executive Director Willie Ingram, who served 39 years in prison after being convicted of a $20 robbery while armed with a pocketknife, celebrated his first Christmas and New Year’s Day as a free man. Mr. Ingram…