In 2021, lawmakers approved $1.3 billion in funding to build two prisons. That included an “initial guaranteed maximum price” of $623 million for one of those facilities, in Elmore County. Officials have raised the cap for that prison by $352 million. ➡️
for the Elmore County prison. Finance Director Poole acknowledged that today’s resolution means a significant increase. He said multiple factors have changed.
Poole said efforts to make the prison comply with court orders have also been a factor in some of the increased costs. The Alabama Department of Corrections is involved in a nine-year-old lawsuit over mental health care, medical care, and accommodations for inmates with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Justice sued the state in December 2020 alleging that conditions in men’s prisons violate the Constitution because of the violence, drugs, weapons, and other problems.
“This raises the ceiling of our spending level so that we can continue to pay,” Poole said. “It doesn’t mean that we’re going to spend that much right now but we need the authority to pay the bills as these packages bid out.” Last month, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm gave the Legislature’s prison oversight committeeand showed photos from the Elmore County site. Hamm said the Elmore prison was on schedule for completion in the first quarter of 2026.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nominate a business for the Alabama Innovation AwardsAlabama companies are leading the world with breakthroughs in healthcare, defense technology, cyber security, education and more. thisisalabama wants to celebrate these change-makers with its first Alabama Innovation Awards. Nominate a company now!
Read more »
Summer Food Benefits Approved for 530,000 Alabama Children - Alabama NewsAn estimated 530,000 Alabama children who get free or reduced price school meals are now eligible for food benefits this summer after the school year ends, officials said Tuesday. alnews wakanews
Read more »
Alabama Prison System Raises Pay to Recruit, Retain Officers - Alabama NewsThe Alabama prison system is raising salaries for correctional officers — increasing starting pay to more than $50,000 annually — in an effort to lure workers and address an ongoing staff shortage. alnews wakanews
Read more »
Alabama House Approves $1 Billion Plan for Pandemic Funds - Alabama NewsThe Alabama House has advanced a plan to use the state’s final $1 billion in federal pandemic relief funds mostly on water and sewer infrastructure, broadband expansion and health care reimbursements. alnews alpolitics wakanews
Read more »
Federal Judge Strikes Down Alabama Laws Against Panhandling - Alabama NewsA federal judge has struck down Alabama laws against panhandling, ruling that the statues are unconstitutional. alnews alpolitics panhandling wakanews
Read more »
PREP SOFTBALL: Dale County pulls away to beat county rival AritonDale County scored eight runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull away from a one-run lead in a 14-5 win over county rival Ariton on Wednesday.
Read more »