#shutdownADOC

“This was sent to me and I absolutely LOVE IT so I’m sharing with you….

September 26th, 2022 is a historical and unprecedented day with the success of ALL major prison facilities going on a labor strike. Not one incarcerated citizen reported to their slave jobs which was confirmed by the ADOC Commissioners office. Every incarcerated citizen in ADOC who made this happen should be proud of this accomplishment. You have proven to yourself, the state of Alabama, and the world that over 10,000 men and women “can” stand together where it’s always said it can’t be done.

To top it off it is the first time since the riot at St. Clair Correctional Facility in 1985, that a governor has publicly addressed any issues brought by those incarcerated. This speaks volumes regardless of Kay Ivey’s response.

What has taken place should tell Alabama taxpayers a few things as well. First take into consideration that these men and women who participated in this labor strike did so in a manner that shows they are civil and can do things the way responsible citizens do things. Not a single ADOC staff or confined citizen was hurt.

Next it should be considered that those who participated in this historical event are tired of being treated as less than animals and are demanding their humanity to be given back.

Gov. Kay Ivey’s response is not shocking at all. None of Alabama’s taxpayers will ever agree that Ivey is the brightest crayon in the box.
It’s time that we ALL understand that public safety is entwined with what takes place in our prisons and our court rooms. It is entwined with what kind of individual we are releasing back to society.
Is time we are given an opportunity to discuss changes in current Alabama laws that have played a significant role in the current issues surrounding the inhumane conditions writhing ADOC. it’s time the lawmakers give us an opportunity to be heard and present solutions. And yes, it’s time Alabama stops telling those who are within the prison system nothing will change.

There are reasonable demands that can contribute to public safety as well as the safety of those confined. For instance the HOFA act “should” be repealed and those who were sentenced under this act SHOULD be resentenced under the presumptive sentencing standards. If the HOFA is wrong today and needed correction which prompted the truth in sentence presumptive sentencing standards as a reform, it was wrong then.
HOFA is the leading contributing factor of the overcrowding in ADOC today.

Good time incentive (IGT) should be given to all who are eligible to return back to society. IGT gives not only hope but builds responsibility and accountability within those who are confined. This rehabilitation incentive will lower the violence, drug use and overdoses that haunt the Alabama prison system. This benefits public safety to the T. It brings actual changes to the incarcerated, it saves the taxpayers money through medical bills, it provides tools of rehabilitation. It gives the fate back to the incarcerated giving hope.
Let’s look at changing the language of Section 15-22-20. It reads:
Board of Pardons and Paroles – Creation; composition; compensation.
(a) There shall be a Board of Pardons and Paroles which shall consist of three members. The membership of the board shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, or economic diversity of the state. At least one member shall be a current or former law enforcement officer with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in or with a law enforcement agency which has among its primary duties and responsibilities the investigation of violent crimes or the apprehension, arrest, or supervision of the perpetrators thereof.

It should be amended to read “One (to be interpreted ONLY ONE) member shall be a current or former law enforcement officer with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in or with a law enforcement agency which has among its primary duties and responsibilities the investigation of violent crimes or the apprehension, arrest, or supervision of the perpetrators thereof.

This amendment will allow for this to be true:
“…. The membership of the board shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, or economic diversity of the state.”

Currently the Alabama Parole board is not inclusive (not excluding any of the parties or groups involved in something.) It’s not, reflecting “racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, or economic diversity of the state. Economic diversity of the state with three members coming from former law enforcement backgrounds. One a former district attorney and attorney General, one a former probation/ parole officer, one a former state trooper. This amendment will allow public safety to not be compromised.

These are examples of things that are beneficial to public safety, and these are not the only ways they are beneficial and uphold public safety by any means. The other demands are not abandoned here and we demand now a public forum to be heard challenged and the opportunity to rebut.

As Kay Ivey said, the demands might just be “unwelcomed by Alabama”, but that cannot be unreasonable until Alabama SHOWS them to be just that.

Alabama demands change and to be heard. We are part of Alabama.

SINCERELY,
WE ARE Men and Women”