BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Top photo from eji.org
Concerns about the state moving to leasing private prisons, underwriters pulling from the project and a deadline for agreeing on an estimated $3 billion plan has, for now, stalled three new Mega-Prisons for the state.
Locally in our coverage area, a new mega-prison was scheduled to be located in Tallassee, to replace aging and overcrowded facilities in Elmore County. The new prison would have housed thousands of prisoners and would have included a section for mental health patients needs as well.
But now officials and legislators will head back to the discussion table to find a way to move the state forward and solve the very serious problems concerning current prisons across the state.
There were opposing opinions from the start when it was learned that the plan included building a new prison away from the current prisons which are on state-owned land. The plan would have allowed for the state to lease prisons from private companies.
Opponents to that plan locally said that residents near the current facilities in Elmore County are already familiar with the prisons, and the infrastructure is already in place.
However, Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock was happy when he learned initially that his area would be the location. He predicted an economic boom, and welcomed the new job opportunities.
Mayor Hammock offered this statement in the wake of the prison plan failing to pass:
“I think it is sad for the incarcerated people in Alabama. These new prisons were going to add 37% more program space that would be used to help with programs to help reduce recidivism,” Hammock said. “State Representatives and State Senators have kicked the can down the road for years neglecting corrections and mental health. Now the bill has come due.
“I think it is all about politics. Politicians not wanting to lose their facilities in their areas because it would be an economic deduction from their areas. This is mixed with the political pressure by people who don’t want prisons at all until someone harms one of their loved ones.
“If it comes to Tallassee I will take full economic advantage of it. If not I move on and keep working every day for the City of Tallassee. Either way I keep moving Tallassee forward into the future.”
Senator Clyde Chambliss sent us this statement:
“The legislature has twice been very close to a legislative solution to our prison problem. Both of those efforts came up just short for reasons no longer in play.
The prison issue is not a subject that governors want to get tangled up in. Most would have just put their head in the sand and let the courts tell us what has to be done. Not Governor Ivey. She developed a plan, fleshed out the details, and chose three counties in which to build new prisons.
The selection of Elmore, Escambia, and Bibb counties as well as other parameters of her plan are solid; however, purchasing additional property instead of utilizing existing state land is puzzling to me. Funding for the private developer has become problematic. It is imperative that the legislature take this opportunity to enact a bond issue, build the prisons on state owned property, and own them at the end of 30 years. Without the Governor’s leadership, we would not be in a place to solve the prison crisis. Working together, I believe that we will get it done in a special session before fall.”
Governor Ivey released this statement on Wednesday to media:
“As Governor of Alabama, one of my primary responsibilities to the citizens of our State is to protect their safety and well-being. Since my first days in office, I have been clear and consistent about the critical importance of taking action to address our correctional system – an important public safety issue that affects every person and community in Alabama. It is unfortunate that the comprehensive efforts underway to resolve this issue have proven so challenging and time-consuming; however, my commitment to improving prison conditions is unwavering.
“To that end, my team and I will meet with Legislative leaders again in the coming days to review all that we have learned through this process thus far, including the complexity and depth of the multi-faceted challenge at-hand. Further, we will examine the options that remain on the table with CoreCivic and Alabama Prison Transformation Partners (APTP) and explore additional/alternative options to fund the construction and maintenance of new prison facilities.
“Alabama will not back down from this challenge, nor will we fail. Anyone who is serious about these issues understands that replacing our failing prison infrastructure with safer, more secure facilities that accommodate the rehabilitation of incarcerated people is essential. It is not a question of if this will happen, but how. I look forward to continuing to work with my team, our partners, and Legislature leaders to ensure the State takes the necessary steps to transform our correctional system and protect public safety.”
