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.
11/24/2023 | by Ralph Chapoco for the Alabama Reflector
Spend five minutes with Callie Greer and two aspects of her essence come out.
The first is a boundless optimism, an abiding faith in both God as well as humanity, her going with her mission to save the world from itself.
The second is a layered resiliency that appears immune to disappointment, as if she has trained her mind to keep going despite the painful struggle to make Alabama a more just place to live.
The first part, she said, nourishes the second. It was a belief in a higher power that helped her through the darkest of days.
8/12/2023 | By Alaina Bookman for AL.com
On the last day of Amnesty Week, the Jefferson County Courthouse was bustling with people hoping to get their failure to appear warrants and debts dismissed, register to vote and receive voter photo ID cards.
Leah Nelson, research director for Alabama Appleseed, a nonprofit social justice advocacy organization, said Amnesty Week is more than just about addressing warrants, it is an investment in community safety.
Organizers said more than 100 people showed up each day to address their warrants and debts, making this year even more successful than its first Amnesty Week in 2021. Like its predecessor, no arrests were made.
8/9/2023 | by Ralph Chapoco for the Alabama Reflector
Traffic tickets and citations have become a heavy financial burden for low income individuals and families living in Alabama.
A report published by Alabama Appleseed last week documented the lives of people dealing with the fallout from receiving traffic citations, the associated fines, along with the additional penalties they were levied as they dealt with court proceedings stemming from the original violation.
“What struck me the most in the reporting that I did for about a year was just how broken those folks are who are sitting in those courtrooms every day,” said Eddie Burkhalter, a researcher with Alabama Appleseed who authored the report. “These are people that are already living on the edge. A lot of these folks are just barely enough to scrape by, to turn the electricity on, to keep food in their kids’ mouths.”
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
Senate bill named for fallen Bibb Co. Deputy cuts down ‘good time’ inmates can serve
1/24/2023 | WBRC6
Bill named for slain deputy reduces prison ‘good time’ release
1/19/2023 | Alabama Daily News
Parole denied for 90% of Alabama inmates, a new low
1/17/2023 | AP News
Incarcerated man found dead at Donaldson Correctional Facility
1/10/2023 | Alabama Political Reporter
Ivey announces rules for prison ‘good time’ incentives
1/9/2023 | AP News
Gov. Kay Ivey changes ‘good time’ policy for Alabama inmates
1/9/2023 | AL.com
Ivey details order for how ‘good time’ among prisoners can be revoked
1/9/2023 | Montgomery Advertiser
Group calls for transparency as ADOC removes inmate death statistics from monthly reports
1/4/2023 | CBS 42
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
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Montgomery, Alabama 36104
2 Office Park Circle, Suite 10
Birmingham, AL 35223
Phone: (205) 963-7999
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