I stumbled across an article about Free Alabama Movement, a group looking to reform Alabama's cruel prison system. I am glad to see that videos are being smuggled out of prison so people may see how bad the prison system can be.
This isn't related to RSOs, of course, but it is an interesting look into the Alabama DOC.
Free Alabama Movement (FAM) Youtube video page:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC88hK0WZ7PKGaTMPpLMTA_w
Free Alabama Movement (FAM) Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-alabama-movement/1428198110745581
Below is a video I wish leaked years ago. I had eaten my share of the "mystery meat" patties while in prison.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnzxwzJIE58
Registered Former Offenders Restoration Movement (ReFORM), restoring hope, rehabilitation, and reintegration to Alabama's registered citizens
Showing posts with label Prisoner Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prisoner Issues. Show all posts
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
Alabama allowed the rape of female inmates
The US DoJ has determined there were a number of abuses at Tutwiler Women's Prison.
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2014/January/14-crt-061.html
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Justice Department Releases Findings Showing That the Alabama Department of Corrections Fails to Protect Prisoners from Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women
Today the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced its letter of findings determining that prison officials at the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) and the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women (Tutwiler) violate women prisoners’ constitutional rights by failing to take reasonable steps to protect them from harm due to sexual abuse and sexual harassment caused by correctional staff. Specifically, the Justice Department found that prison officials have long been on notice of the risks to women prisoners and have chosen to ignore them. The findings also included a notice that the investigation will be expanded to examine allegations of additional constitutional violations.
The department found that women prisoners at Tutwiler live in a toxic environment with repeated and open sexual behavior. The conduct to which women are exposed includes: officers forcing women to engage in sexual acts with officers in exchange for basic sanitary supplies; male officers openly watching women shower or use the toilet; a staff facilitated “strip show”; a constant barrage of sexually offensive language; punishment of prisoners who report improper conduct; and encouraging improper sexual contact between prisoners. The sexual abuse and harassment is grossly underreported due to insufficient staffing and supervision, inadequate policies and procedures, a heightened fear of retaliation and an inadequate investigative process.
“Our investigation has revealed serious systemic operational deficiencies at Tutwiler that have exposed women prisoners to harm and serious risk of harm from staff-on-prisoner sexual abuse and sexual harassment,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division. “These problems have been festering for years, and are well known to Alabama prison officials. Remedying these deficiencies is critical to ensuring constitutionally protected treatment of women prisoners at Tutwiler and will promote public safety.”
The department’s comprehensive investigation involved an in-depth review and analysis of documents, including policies and procedures, incident reports, investigative reports, orientation materials and staff training materials. The department also interviewed prison officials and administrative and security staff, as well as current and former women prisoners.
The expanded investigation will examine allegations of excessive use of force, constitutionally inadequate conditions of confinement, constitutionally inadequate medical and mental health care and discriminatory treatment based on national origin, sexual orientation and gender identity. The department’s decision to expand its investigation of conditions at Tutwiler stemmed from the department’s review of information suggesting that the systemic deficiencies at Tutwiler that facilitated staff sexual misconduct may also lead to constitutionally inadequate conditions of confinement.
“The department stands ready to work with the state of Alabama on solving the problems at Tutwiler,” said U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. for the Middle District of Alabama. “The report has identified a very serious and troubling situation at the facility. Action needs to be taken immediately. I am certain that Commissioner Thomas and the governor’s office will continue to cooperate in eradicating these deplorable conditions.”
The department commends Commissioner Kim Thomas and his staff for the cooperation they have shown, and for their receptivity to concerns raised, and looks forward to continuing to work with ADOC and Tutwiler officials in a collaborative manner on the expanded investigation and to resolve the existing findings expeditiously and under mutually agreeable terms.
For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt .
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2014/January/14-crt-061.html
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Justice Department Releases Findings Showing That the Alabama Department of Corrections Fails to Protect Prisoners from Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women
Today the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced its letter of findings determining that prison officials at the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) and the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women (Tutwiler) violate women prisoners’ constitutional rights by failing to take reasonable steps to protect them from harm due to sexual abuse and sexual harassment caused by correctional staff. Specifically, the Justice Department found that prison officials have long been on notice of the risks to women prisoners and have chosen to ignore them. The findings also included a notice that the investigation will be expanded to examine allegations of additional constitutional violations.
The department found that women prisoners at Tutwiler live in a toxic environment with repeated and open sexual behavior. The conduct to which women are exposed includes: officers forcing women to engage in sexual acts with officers in exchange for basic sanitary supplies; male officers openly watching women shower or use the toilet; a staff facilitated “strip show”; a constant barrage of sexually offensive language; punishment of prisoners who report improper conduct; and encouraging improper sexual contact between prisoners. The sexual abuse and harassment is grossly underreported due to insufficient staffing and supervision, inadequate policies and procedures, a heightened fear of retaliation and an inadequate investigative process.
“Our investigation has revealed serious systemic operational deficiencies at Tutwiler that have exposed women prisoners to harm and serious risk of harm from staff-on-prisoner sexual abuse and sexual harassment,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division. “These problems have been festering for years, and are well known to Alabama prison officials. Remedying these deficiencies is critical to ensuring constitutionally protected treatment of women prisoners at Tutwiler and will promote public safety.”
The department’s comprehensive investigation involved an in-depth review and analysis of documents, including policies and procedures, incident reports, investigative reports, orientation materials and staff training materials. The department also interviewed prison officials and administrative and security staff, as well as current and former women prisoners.
The expanded investigation will examine allegations of excessive use of force, constitutionally inadequate conditions of confinement, constitutionally inadequate medical and mental health care and discriminatory treatment based on national origin, sexual orientation and gender identity. The department’s decision to expand its investigation of conditions at Tutwiler stemmed from the department’s review of information suggesting that the systemic deficiencies at Tutwiler that facilitated staff sexual misconduct may also lead to constitutionally inadequate conditions of confinement.
“The department stands ready to work with the state of Alabama on solving the problems at Tutwiler,” said U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. for the Middle District of Alabama. “The report has identified a very serious and troubling situation at the facility. Action needs to be taken immediately. I am certain that Commissioner Thomas and the governor’s office will continue to cooperate in eradicating these deplorable conditions.”
The department commends Commissioner Kim Thomas and his staff for the cooperation they have shown, and for their receptivity to concerns raised, and looks forward to continuing to work with ADOC and Tutwiler officials in a collaborative manner on the expanded investigation and to resolve the existing findings expeditiously and under mutually agreeable terms.
For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt .
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
In Alabama Prisons, the Less Sheriffs Spend on Food for Inmates, the More They Earn
I'm not the biggest fan of Sheriff Mike Rainey, but I'm glad he has the guts to stand up to this bad law. The gist of the story is there is an old law that says the sheriff gets X amount of dollars per day to feed an inmate and whatever is left over, they can pocket. Another sheriff was jailed a couple years back for starving inmates to pocket more money. But it was only for one day.
http://www.nationofchange.org/alabama-prisons-less-sheriffs-spend-food-inmates-more-they-earn-1340723753
In Alabama Prisons, the Less Sheriffs Spend on Food for Inmates, the More They Earn
Adam Peck
Published: Tuesday 26 June 2012
It took almost three quarters of a century, but one Sheriff in Alabama is finally speaking out against a 1939 law that allows for the state’s 67 sheriffs to keep leftover money the state provides to each municipality for feeding inmates in local prisons.
Sheriff Mike Rainey reportedly received $295,294 from the local, state and federal governments to spend on food for the county’s inmate population. But thanks to the old law, Rainey is entitled to pocket any money left over after he fulfills his responsibility of feeding his inmates.
It’s not hard to imagine how such a system could lead to massive corruption. In 2009, former Morgan County Sheriff Greg Bartlett was himself put behind bars after he admitted to keeping more than $200,000 from the prison’s food budget while the inmates he oversaw were provided with inadequate food.
Remarkably, Bartlett may not have actually broken any laws, a point the Alabama Sheriffs Association made to defend Bartlett during his trial.
Sheriff Rainey, who is calling on the legislature to end the current system in favor of allowing county commissions to oversee the funding, says he has donated most of his potential earnings to charity, upwards of $10,000 so far. He also wants to ensure that inmates are served fresh, healthy food, he told the Montgomery Advertiser:
“Incarceration is punishment. I know some people think you shouldn’t worry about what an inmate eats, but I think it’s a moral issue,” Rainey said. “They’re not getting filet mignon, but they’re certainly not being served green bologna, nor will they be served something like that.”
The Alabama legislature has tried to pass bills before repealing the 1939 law, most recently in 2009, but those bills have failed to advance to the Governor’s desk.
http://www.nationofchange.org/alabama-prisons-less-sheriffs-spend-food-inmates-more-they-earn-1340723753
In Alabama Prisons, the Less Sheriffs Spend on Food for Inmates, the More They Earn
Adam Peck
Published: Tuesday 26 June 2012
It took almost three quarters of a century, but one Sheriff in Alabama is finally speaking out against a 1939 law that allows for the state’s 67 sheriffs to keep leftover money the state provides to each municipality for feeding inmates in local prisons.
Sheriff Mike Rainey reportedly received $295,294 from the local, state and federal governments to spend on food for the county’s inmate population. But thanks to the old law, Rainey is entitled to pocket any money left over after he fulfills his responsibility of feeding his inmates.
It’s not hard to imagine how such a system could lead to massive corruption. In 2009, former Morgan County Sheriff Greg Bartlett was himself put behind bars after he admitted to keeping more than $200,000 from the prison’s food budget while the inmates he oversaw were provided with inadequate food.
Remarkably, Bartlett may not have actually broken any laws, a point the Alabama Sheriffs Association made to defend Bartlett during his trial.
Sheriff Rainey, who is calling on the legislature to end the current system in favor of allowing county commissions to oversee the funding, says he has donated most of his potential earnings to charity, upwards of $10,000 so far. He also wants to ensure that inmates are served fresh, healthy food, he told the Montgomery Advertiser:
“Incarceration is punishment. I know some people think you shouldn’t worry about what an inmate eats, but I think it’s a moral issue,” Rainey said. “They’re not getting filet mignon, but they’re certainly not being served green bologna, nor will they be served something like that.”
The Alabama legislature has tried to pass bills before repealing the 1939 law, most recently in 2009, but those bills have failed to advance to the Governor’s desk.
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