State Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia) announced on the Senate floor Wednesday that Senate Bill 316 will move forward as a pilot program to increase prison oversight in Alabama.
The bill would’ve established the position of prison oversight coordinator within the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to monitor and inspect the activities and treatment of inmates in the Department of Corrections' correctional facilities. It also would’ve established the Corrections Oversight Board.
"After yesterday's Judiciary Committee meeting, we have reached an agreement that covers the intent of Senate Bill 316 by establishing a pilot program to strengthen prison oversight in the Alabama Department of Corrections,” Stutts said on Thursday. “I have full confidence in the Alabama Department of Corrections and the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to conduct a thorough review of the policies and procedures to clearly identify where systems are working, where they are falling short, and what must be corrected.”
He continued, “The pilot program will collect detailed data on Tutwiler Women's Prison and three of the men's prisons for one year. It is our intent to use this information to address specific problems and expand this to the entire system within one or two years.”
“The goal of SB316 was to increase accountability and transparency as we make changes to address the everyday problems within the Department of Corrections. This goal will be accomplished as these two agencies have agreed to work closely together over the next few months. I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved to make this possible for the State of Alabama,” Stutts added.
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