The state of Alabama is spending over $1 billion to construct the most expensive prison in U.S. history, seeking to address overcrowding and poor conditions in its current facilities.
In my opinion, this prison falls far short of being the solution Alabama truly needs. Rather than address the root problems in the criminal justice system, this approach perpetuates the cycle of incarceration, failing to provide meaningful support to those who need it most.
The True State of Alabama’s Prisons
Alabama’s prisons are not only overcrowded, but they fail to meet basic safety and health standards. In fact, the U.S. Department of Justice has declared the state’s prisons unconstitutional due to these issues. While building a new prison complex might temporarily relieve overcrowding, it doesn’t tackle the root challenges that lead to such conditions in the first place.
The real problems lie in addressing poverty, underperforming schools, inadequate mental health care, and unfair sentencing laws. Without addressing these issues, a new prison will eventually face the same overcrowding and dysfunction as the current facilities.
Misplaced Priorities
Spending over $1 billion on a prison diverts critical resources from other urgent needs in the state. Alabama's education system is struggling, consistently ranking at the bottom nationally, while roads and infrastructure remain in disrepair, and access to healthcare is limited for many Alabamians. Investing in these areas would do far more to improve public safety than building a new prison.
Breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline
One significant driver of incarceration is the poor quality of education in many Alabama neighborhoods. Underperforming or failing schools leave students with limited opportunities and an increased risk of becoming involved in crime. Instead of improving the education of our children, instead of investing in our children’s futures, we build prisons. What kind of thinking is this – valuing punishment over potential?
"Once thoroughly broken down, who is he that can repair the damage?” Frederick Douglass once asked, implying that the key to reducing crime lies in addressing its root causes early. It’s far more effective to guide and support children from a young age than to wait until they are adults to try and correct past mistakes.
We must invest in all children, building a solid foundation that will lead to a brighter and safer Alabama. It calls for an investment in prevention over punishment.
By investing in people and not prisons, Alabama can help prevent future incarceration. Schools should not be a pipeline to prison – they should be a launchpad for potential.
Mental Health: An Overlooked Crisis
Alabama’s prisons are often filled with individuals suffering from untreated mental health issues. Expanding access to mental health services could prevent many people from entering the criminal justice system in the first place. This investment would also reduce recidivism rates, creating a safer and more compassionate Alabama.
The Misguided Idea of Honoring Prisons
I can’t wrap my head around why anyone would want a prison named after them. Prisons embody punishment, suffering, and the failure of systems to uplift and support people. Naming this prison the Governor Kay Ivey Correctional Complex is as unsettling as the idea of naming an abortion clinic after a person.
Prisons represent a stark symbol of injustice, societal failures, and lost potential, not monuments to be celebrated.
A Better Path Forward
Alabama missed its opportunity to take a better path. Instead of spending over $1 billion on a temporary fix, the state should have invested in initiatives that tackle the root causes of crime. Real progress is achieved by investing in people, not by expanding the prison system. If Alabama prioritizes these areas, the state can create a safer, healthier future for everyone.
A new prison might seem like a quick fix, but it’s not the solution. By focusing on the deeper issues, Alabama can build a legacy of opportunity and justice, not just walls and bars.
To contact KCarl or request a speaking engagement, go to www.kcarlinc.com.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.
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