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.
10/15/2024 | By Carly Laing for CBS42
So far this year, nearly two dozen people have died at Donaldson Correctional Facility — raising the question: What’s going on inside the prison? Evening Anchor Carly Laing examines the prison’s rising number of deaths in this CBS 42 Special Report.
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Eddie Burkhalter is a researcher at Alabama Appleseed, a non-profit, prison reform advocacy group.
“You have prisons where officers are just not in the dorms. If you have dorms where there are no officers present, it’s a recipe for disaster.”
Burkhalter said inmates are literally fighting for their lives.
8/12/2024 | by Leah Nelson and Sarah Picard
Two years ago, the city of Brookside, Alabama, made national news when investigative journalists exposed that it had turned policing into a for-profit business.
The reporters’ revelations were damning: In a town of only 1,253 people, with virtually no serious crimes, police in 2020 had written tickets amounting to $487 per resident.
Brookside is not the only U.S. jurisdiction accused of funding its justice system via taxation-by-citation—nor did this problem grow up overnight. Over the past 50 years, the practice gradually took hold due to a combination of tough-on-crime policies, resulting upticks in incarceration, and budget cuts to state and local justice systems.
8/9/2024 | By Alexander Willis for Alabama Daily News
A recent study into Alabama’s system of court fees and fines showed a growing majority go unpaid, creating budget shortfalls and an incentive structure bent toward prosecutions.
The study from MDRC Center for Criminal Justice Research, found inequities in debt burdens from court fees, with black Alabamians found to be issued higher legal financial obligations, on average, than their white counterparts for the same charges.
The study was collaboration Alabama Appleseed, UAB, and the 10th Judicial Circuit of Alabama.
“This information has been shocking to carry around, how bad the incentives are, how broken this system is, and how really no one is benefiting from it,” said Appleseed’s Leah Nelson, founder of the research project.
7/24/2024 | By Kim Chandler and Safiyah Riddle for AP News
Deandre Roney told officials at the Alabama prison he was incarcerated at that he feared for his life because another inmate had been threatening him, his sister said. On June 8, months away from his scheduled release date, the 39-year-old was stabbed to death.
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Eddie Burkhalter, a researcher at nonprofit law and justice center Alabama Appleseed, said the prison system last year had a record 325 deaths including at least 10 homicides.
Restoring a convicted felon’s voting rights
11/5/2024 | WVTM13
Alabama’s criminal justice funding methods may affect crime victim compensation
11/5/2024 | Alabama Reflector
Grab Your Calculators. We’re going to Jail.
10/16/2024 | New York Times
Inside look at violence and conditions at Donaldson Correctional Facility
10/15/2024 | CBS42
Alabama commission urged to ease transition for formerly incarcerated people
9/18/2024 | Alabama Reflector
Reentry Alabama explores issues threatening recidivism rate
9/18/2024 | Alabama Political Reporter
Court fee system inefficient, discriminatory, research finds
8/9/2024 | Alabama Daily News
Mounting pressure to address violence in Alabama prisons working, lawmaker says at emotional hearing
7/25/2024 | Alabama Daily News
‘They are going to kill me in here’: Families testify about violence in Alabama prisons
7/25/2024 | AL.com
Families describe assaults and deaths behind bars during hearing on Alabama prison conditions
7/24/2024 | AP News
Families of inmates describe ‘horrific’ conditions in Alabama prisons
7/24/2024 | Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama families recount horrors of prison violence at Montgomery hearing
7/24/2024 | ABC 33/40
General Fund grows but Medicaid and Corrections consume more of it
5/28/2024 | Alabama Reflector
Birmingham Ex-offender Works to Redeem Himself and Others
5/27/2024 | Birmingham Times
Advocates count wins, losses from Alabama legislative session
5/22/2024 | AL.com
UAB no longer performing autopsies on state inmates
5/22/2024 | Alabama Daily News
Prison crisis continues, but Alabama Legislature largely avoids topic
5/20/2024 | Alabama Reflector
For People Just Out of Prison; Birmingham, Partners Launch Novel Re-Entry Program
5/2/2024 | Birmingham Times
New pilot program will offer housing, resources to people leaving prison
5/1/2024 | WBHM
Birminghan mayor announces second chance program for people released from jail
5/1/2024 | WVTM13
Mayor Woodfin announces Birmingham Reentry Alliance
5/1/2024 | ABC 33/40
Pretrial diversion programs are effective. And expensive for participants.
3/28/2024 | Alabama Reflector
Montgomery to forgive pre-2014 city fees, including misdemeanor marijuana position
2/29/2024 | Montgomery Advertiser
How Carla Crowder is building a better, ‘more merciful’ Alabama through prison reform
2/29/2024 | Montgomery Advertiser
Systemic violence and corruption in Department of Corrections
2/23/2024 | WAAY31
“Second Chance” bill moves forward with bipartisan support
2/15/2024 | Alabama Political Reporter
Poll says most support 2nd chance for people serving life who did not cause physical injury
2/12/2024 | AL.com
How the NFL is helping men get out of prison
2/9/2024 | Andscape
Lawsuits against prison employees, payments from liability fund, spike in recent years
2/5/2024 | Alabama Daily News
The Alabama Legislature is returning. Here’s what to expect.
2/1/2024 | Alabama Reflector
What its like to live in one of the country’ deadliest prison systems
1/29/2024 | Scheerpost
Missed notices, transportation make it hard to get to court: Surveys
1/28/2024 | AL.com
Fairhope progressives gather to discuss top issues for 2024
1/25/2024 | AL.com
Fairhope progressives gather to discuss top issues for 2024
1/25/2024 | AL.com
Alabama Appleseed at the Forefront: Championing Justice in Legislative Advocacy
1/24/2024 | Appleseed Network
Alabama has even stopped paroling the elderly: ‘They put us in there to die.’
1/22/2024 | AL.com
Who killed Daniel Williams? A tale of terror in Alabama prisons
1/18/2024 | AL.com
After 2021 law, ADOC still working to get IDs for people leaving prison
12/17/2023 | Alabama Daily News
Alabama Appleseed celebrates growth and progress for 2023
12/15/2023 | Alabama Today
Families speak about horrors in Alabama prisons at oversight meeting
12/15/2023 | Alabama Political Reporter
Families of incarcerated men tell lawmakers about beatings, rapes, and death in AL prisons
12/14/2023 | AL.com
Suspect in rape, murder of 22-year-old inmate had history of sexual violence
12/13/2023 | ABC 33/40
Families of Alabama inmates confront lawmakers over prison conditions
12/13/2023 | WSFA
Callie Greer overcomes tragedy to be a voice for her community
11/24/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Alabama Crime Victims Compensation will seek more funding from lawmakers
10/16/2023 | Alabama Reflector
The Fee Trap: Court costs and fines put burden on the least able to pay
9/14/2023 | Alabama Reflector
The Fee Trap: With pistol permit revenue falling, sheriffs and counties turn to other charges
9/13/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Extreme heat is killing people in prison. What’s being done about it?
8/29/2023 | The Appeal
Jefferson County residents get warrants, court debts cleared during Amnesty Week
8/12/2023 | AL.com
Older population in Alabama prisons doubled over decade, according to report
8/10/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Report: Alabama police more likely to ticket for lack of insurance than speeding
8/9/2023 | Alabama Reflector
People incarcerated in Alabama’s prisons face heat dangers as hot weather continues
8/2/2023 | Alabama Reflector
ADOC sergeant charged in beating death of inmate
7/28/2023 | Alabama Political Reporter
Corrections officer, two others charged in death of inmate at Elmore Correctional Facility
7/27/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Three inmate deaths at Metro jail in one money; why so many?
7/26/2023 | Fox 10 News
Black men in Alabama prisons less likely to get parole, often serve more years than white prisoners
7/6/2023 | AL.com
Alabama Appleseed Builds on Support for Those Unjustly Incarcerated
7/6/2023 | Birmingham Times
Former Alabama football star Ramzee Robinson turns family tragedy into prison reform crusade
7/6/2023 | CBS42
How a second chance for aging, nonviolent Alabama prison inmates died in Montgomery
6/22/2023 | AL.com
Alabama prison contraband: Rampant drugs and 5,000 weapons confiscated in one year
6/19/2023 | ABC 33/40
Alabama violent crime victims often poor, Black, formerly jailed & would ‘never call the police’: report
6/15/2023 | AL.com
Alabama Appleseed report highlights experiences of violent crime victims
6/13/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Criminal justice reform advocates see mixed results in Alabama Legislature
6/9/2023 | Alabama Reflector
Ivey signs bill giving more leniency before driver’s license suspension
6/5/2023 | Alabama Political Reporter
Ivey signs law limiting courts’ ability to suspend drivers’ licenses over missed court dates, fines
6/3/2023 | Alabama Reflector
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
Crime and garnishment
8/12/2024 | Alabama Daily News
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
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