Alabama will build new prisons with federal COVID-19 pandemic relief dollars under a bill signed by the state’s Republican governor.
Oct.2 (UPI) — Alabama will build new prisons with federal COVID-19 pandemic relief dollars under a bill signed by the state’s Republican governor. The $1.3 billion plan to build two new men’s prisons is intended to address overcrowding issues in its current facilities that have drawn scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice, reports AL.com. Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey, the legislation directs $400 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, a coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress earlier this year. The rest will be funded with a $785 million bond and $154 million in state funds. Ivey, speaking at a press event Friday, called the plan an “Alabama solution” to problems facing the state’s prison system that has been subject to 15 federal mandates over conditions while draining state funds. She said the construction of the prisons was a major step forward in reforming the state’s criminal justice system.
