Tutweiler Prison Overcrowding

[danielle]

Prison Overcrowding
01/21/2003
Amber W. Moody
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson says he will make a decision at the end of the week on plans to reduce prison overcrowding in Alabama. This morning, attorneys for those suing Tutwiler Prison for Women say the main problem with the prison is overcrowding, understaffing and open dorms. Prison Commissioner Mike Haley says one problem with achieving the goals set for the prison is a lack of money. Governor Bob Riley has hired John Reece to do a 60 day study to find a solution to remedy the overcrowding. But the Southern Center for Human Rights says they don't have time to wait. As of Tuesday morning, there were 997 women in Tutweiler Prison. It was built to house 336 inmates.

[danielle]

Judge asked to order state to add officers at Tutwiler


By BOB JOHNSON
The Associated Press
1/21/03 12:49 PM


MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Attorneys for women prisoners told a federal judge Tuesday the state needs to hire 58 more guards immediately at Tutwiler prison and bring a prompt end to its overcrowded conditions.

Attorney Lisa Kung of the Southern Center for Human Rights said the state's plan does not respond to the pressing needs of the women inmates at the Wetumpka lockup.

"The plan seems to be saying there's nothing more we can do to deal with overcrowding," Kung told U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson at a hearing Tuesday morning on the state's plan.

Thompson, who raised the possibility of contempt fines against the state, ruled last month that Tutwiler is overcrowded, understaffed and called the prison a "ticking time bomb." Tutwiler was built in the 1940s to house a maximum of 364 prisoners but had 997 inmates Tuesday morning, with about 90 guards.

Prison officials submitted a plan that promises to ask the Legislature for $60 million and to move additional corrections officers to the prison after a new class of officers graduates later this year.

The hearing Tuesday came just one day after Bob Riley had officially become the state's new governor. Riley's attorney, Troy King, told Thompson the governor was consulting with corrections experts and would have a comprehensive plan to deal with prison overcrowding in 60 days.

"The governor recognizes this is a serious problem and will move as expeditiously as possible," King said after the hearing.

But Kung said the situation at Tutwiler can't wait for a long-range plan to be implemented.

"There is no more time. It's easy to forget there are women living in unconstitutional conditions," she said.

Kung also asked Thompson to order the state "to immediately begin an intensive planning process" to improve conditions at Tutwiler. She said more educational programs are needed to get women inmates out of jampacked dorms.

An attorney for the Department of Corrections, Billy Addison, said it's up to the Legislature and not prison officials to appropriate money to hire new officers and make other improvements.

"We realize this plan doesn't solve all the problems we have," Addison said.

With the state's budgets in critical financial condition, Thompson at one point asked Kung where the state was going to come up with the money to hire 58 new corrections officers. She said it is up to the state to make that determination.

Thompson also told attorneys for the state that "not enough money" is not an excuse for overcrowded prisons.

"Once you take these defendants into your custody, you have to provide conditions that meet constitutional standards," Thompson said.

Thompson said he would decide within a week on what action he will take next. He suggested he might give the state a time limit for making specific improvements or face being fined for being in contempt of court.