After a bill was pre-filed in the Alabama Senate to roll back the prisoner early release law that went into effect last month, Gov. Kay Ivey doubled down on her support of the law by saying it is for the good of public safety.
Senate Bill 7, introduced by State Sen. Chris Elliott, aims to push back the current mandator release law passed in a special session of the Alabama Legislature in 2021 to apply to inmates in custody on or after Jan. 31, 2030. However, Ivey thinks the law is ready to go now as is, given the requirements for continued supervision of inmates after release with ankle monitoring and drug testing.
"I will reiterate that under Governor Ivey, public safety will always be at the forefront, and she will always be an advocate for victims and an upholder of justice," Ivey spokesperson Gina Maiola told Birmingham TV's ABC 33/40 about SB7. "This is a pro-public safety, pro-common sense measure and implemented while respecting the rights of crime victims.
"Let's be clear about something: We are for supervision of inmates before the end of their sentences. Those who oppose this measure are for the unfettered release of criminals. The governor would not be in favor of these eligible inmates being released at the end of their sentence without any supervision period."
So far, hundreds of inmates have been released early, some only to be arrested days later for other offenses.
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