John Hamm, Commissioner

Governor Kay Ivey appointed John Q. Hamm as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) on January 1, 2022. Commissioner Hamm brings more than 35 years of law enforcement and government experience into his role as Commissioner of the ADOC which is the state's largest law enforcement agency.

In his role as Commissioner, he is responsible for 27 correctional facilities, an inmate population of approximately 20,000, and an employee workforce of approximately 3,000. In addition, he is responsible for an annual budget exceeding $600 million.

Prior to his appointment at the ADOC, Hamm served in leadership roles during his seven-year tenure at the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). He joined ALEA as its Governmental Relations Manager in 2014, was appointed ALEA State Bureau of Investigation Director by ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor in 2018, and then became ALEA Deputy Secretary in April 2021.

Commissioner Hamm's commitment to public safety began when he served as a police department dispatcher while attending college in 1985. Later, through advancements, he garnered city, state, and federal law enforcement experience, and he was elected Sheriff of Barbour County in 1995.

During his career, he has served as Executive Director of the Montgomery County Community Corrections and has served on the Association of County Commissions of Alabama and the Alabama Sheriffs Association.

Commissioner Hamm is a graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice and Public Safety.