Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Never Gonna Change? An examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution
Abstract
Blankenship delves into the harrowing realities and historical evolution of Alabama’s prison system, offering a critical lens on Alabama’s prisons from their inception to the present day. The narrative begins with a vivid description of the dire conditions within the prisons, where systemic violence, neglect, and deprivation prevail, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive reform. It traces the roots of the current crisis back to the state’s early reluctance to establish a penitentiary system, coupled with a persistent failure to address the underlying issues of overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and violence. The chapter highlights the historical role of federal interventions in attempting to rectify these chronic problems, detailing landmark lawsuits and judicial rulings that have shaped the state’s correctional landscape. Despite these efforts, the chapter illustrates how Alabama’s prisons remain plagued by a cycle of violence and neglect, largely due to a lack of political will and societal indifference toward the plight of people in prison. The analysis then shifts to a forward-looking perspective, proposing a new paradigm for Alabama’s prison system that emphasizes humane treatment, a genuine commitment to rectifying past injustices, and equipping people in prison for re-entry as productive citizens. By weaving together historical insights, legal analysis, and contemporary accounts of prison life, this chapter aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and challenges facing Alabama’s penal system while advocating for a more just and humane approach to correctional management.
First Page
93
Last Page
126
Publication Date
9-1-2024
Recommended Citation
Blankenship, B.L. (2024). A new way forward for Alabama prisons. In N.A. Aguado, (Ed.), Never Gonna Change? An examination of the 1901 Alabama Constitution (pp. 93-126). North Alabama Digital Press @ Collier Library.
Comments
About the Author
Brandon L. Blankenship, J.D., is an assistant professor of law and ethics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he engages students in service learning through community partners focused on criminal justice research and reform. He also serves as the chair for the Board of Directors for Redemption Earned, a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to providing services for worthy individuals that address fundamental deficiencies in the Alabama parole process without diminishing the public’s safety or minimizing the crimes that were committed.