MONTGOMERY- The Alabama Department of Corrections will join Habitat for Humanity’s Prison Partnership as announced today by ADOC Commissioner Richard Allen. Through this program, Habitat partners with correctional systems and offenders to develop communities by building homes and rebuilding lives.

“We are extremely pleased to be joining Habitat for Humanity’s Prison Partnership. Not only does this program provide meaningful work opportunities for inmates, it allows ADOC to take an active role in effecting our communities in a positive way,” Allen said.

The Prison Partnership will provide an avenue for ADOC offenders to produce completed housing components, landscaping materials and other items for HFH houses across the state. The partnership further provides offenders with an opportunity to rebuild their own lives, while developing marketable job and social skills. Using materials supplied by Habitat, Inmates from Elmore, Draper, Staton and Frank Lee Youth Center will build various housing elements to include frames, trusses, walls with pre-wired electrical outlets, cabinets and more. All work will be completed on the campus of J. F. Ingram Technical College inside the Draper and Frank Lee facilities. Inmates will receive trade school credit for their work on this project.

There are approximately 75 Prison Partnerships throughout the United States. Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado and Texas have particularly successful partnerships. Each year offenders contribute to the building of more than 250 houses in the US.

The Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates is the state support organization for 37 HFH affiliates serving Alabama, and ADOC. To solidify this partnership, Commissioner Allen and Karen McCauley, Executive Director of AAHA, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday, October 27th at 2 p.m. The signing will take place in Montgomery at the RSA Criminal Justice Center, 301 South Ripley Street, 2nd floor in the ADOC media room. Attendance is encouraged.

Larry Eugene Hutcherson, AIS# Z547, DOB 9/3/69, has been on Alabama’s death row for more than 13 years. Hutcherson pleaded guilty to capital murder for the June 26, 1992 murder of 89-year old Irma Gray. Hutcherson’s execution date is set for October 26, 2006 at 6 p.m.

In its second motion to set an execution date, the State of Alabama details specifics of the crime as cited in Hutcherson v. State. On June 26, 1992, Hutcherson forcibly broke into Irma Gray’s home to burglarize, and while there, savagely beat and murdered Ms. Gray.

The State presented DNA and fingerprint evidence placing Hutcherson at the scene, along with his driver’s license, which he left at the Gray home. The State also introduced Hutcherson’s confession, in which he admitted to breaking into the house and killing Ms. Gray. Hutcherson further admitted that when he noticed no one had found her body the next day, he went back into the house and stole more items.

Fourteen years have passed since Hutcherson brutally murdered Irma Gray. He has exhausted his direct appeal, state post-conviction, and federal habeas avenues for relief. Additionally, Hutcherson could have challenged Alabama’s use of lethal injection by filing a Section 1983 claim under McDonough. However, in the more than 85 days that have passed since the State’s first request for an execution date, Hutcherson has taken no action to file such a claim or in any way question Alabama’s lethal injection process.

After the Supreme Court of Alabama reversed Hutcherson’s first conviction, he pleaded guilty to capital murder in 1996, and a Mobile County jury recommended he be sentenced to death by an 11-1 vote. The Honorable Braxton Kittrell followed the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Hutcherson to death.

There are currently no stays of execution, nor any proceedings pending in any court. Larry Eugene Hutcherson is scheduled for execution on Thursday, October 26, 2006, at 6 p.m. at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Al.

MONTGOMERY- On Thursday, September 7, 2006 Alabama Department of Corrections inmate Dedrick Griham, AIS# 198732 escaped from Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore County.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. an ADOC Officer noticed a hole in the perimeter fence at Staton’s Northwest corner. An institutional inmate count was immediately conducted at which time it was discovered that inmate Griham was not on his assigned bed, nor in his assigned dormitory. Inmate Griham was assigned to Staton’s G-dorm which houses 350 inmates. An immediate search began for inmate Griham including the use of ADOC K9 teams. Dogs tracked Griham through the fencing and to a public road at the rear of Staton before losing the scent.

Griham was granted parole on August 22, 2005 and returned to Kilby Correctional Facility on July 20, 2006 as a parole violator. He is serving a 20 year sentence out of Mobile County on three counts of Robbery III with an original sentence date of May 11, 1998. He was transferred to Staton on August 14th.

Griham is a black male, DOB 11/07/1970, 5’8”, 182 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Local law enforcement authorities have been notified, including the U.S. Marshals and the F.B.I. The search for Griham is now being focused on investigative leads.

SELMA- Training Director Wendy Williams announced today that The Alabama Corrections Academy will hold the year’s second Academy Basic Training graduation on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. Thirty-six Cadets are scheduled to graduate in the second of three basic training classes this year.

Each class consists of a 12-week, 480 hour, intensive training program to include defensive tactics, classroom instruction and physical conditioning. Chief Deputy Commissioner Vernon Barnett will serve as commencement speaker. “Commissioner (Richard) Allen and I are pleased to see this Department moving in the right direction. We have a long way to go but with dedication and hard work, we’ll get there. Recruiting new Corrections Officers is one of our top priorities,” Barnett said.

The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is the largest law enforcement agency in the State of Alabama with more than 2,600 Correctional Officers (CO) and 1,000 non-uniformed personnel, managing an inmate population exceeding 27,000. Upon graduation, each new CO is certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards Training Commission and required to complete an additional forty hours of in-service training per calendar year.

The goal of ADOC’s current recruiting effort is to produce at least 450 new COs each year, while at the same time reducing our attrition rate by making employment with the Department of Corrections more attractive to young employees.

ADOC is taking steps to increase the effectiveness of our recruiting and hiring practices by moving interested applicants through the process more quickly. We have implemented numerous recruiting initiatives to include mass media advertising, partnerships with the Alabama National Guard, Army Reserves, Job Corps, Alabama Industrial Relations and more.

MONTGOMERY- A bus accident in the early morning hours of August 15th injured fourteen Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) work release inmates.

The single vehicle accident occurred at approximately 12:24 a.m. on Hwy 59 North just before County Road 56 near Central Baldwin Middle School in Baldwin County. The Robertsdale Police Department and Robertsdale Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene.

The inmate passengers were returning to the Loxley Community Work Center from job assignments in the Gulf Shores area. A total of twenty-four inmates were on the bus at the time, fourteen suffered injuries and were treated at local emergency rooms, eight were released, while six remain hospitalized at the University of South Alabama Medical Center, North Baldwin Infirmary and Thomas Hospital. Of the fourteen injured inmates, two were flown by helicopter to the USA Medical Center. ADOC policy prohibits the release of specific inmate medical records or current conditions.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

MONTGOMERY- Correctional Officers Darwin V. Halbrooks and Richard D. Stover will be honored Friday, August 11th at 2:30 p.m. by Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Commissioner Richard Allen and Limestone Correctional Facility Warden Billy Mitchem. Officers Halbrooks and Stover will be presented with Certificates of Commendation from Governor Bob Riley for their heroic efforts and selfless service to their fellow Alabamians.

Commissioner Allen complimented both officers for going above and beyond the call of duty. “Alabama Correctional Officers put their lives on the line every day to protect and safeguard the public. The difficult work our officers perform is often unnoticed and certainly undervalued. However, in this case, Officer Stover and Officer Halbrooks went far beyond the call of duty, in a very visible way, to help save the lives of this couple.”

On Friday, April 21, 2006 at approximately 7:30 a.m. while traveling to work, Officers Halbrooks and Stover noticed flames coming from a house. After calling 9-1-1, Officer Halbrooks, an 18 year ADOC veteran, entered the house and assisted Mrs. Donald Pressnell to safety. Mrs. Pressnell had eye surgery just four days prior. Officer Halbrooks also rescued the couple’s poodle.

“This was a big two-story home. Lightening struck the top floor and it didn’t appear they went upstairs much. Flames were shooting twenty to thirty feet in the air and they didn’t know it. If this had happened one hour earlier they may have still been in bed asleep,” Stover said.

Officer Stover, who has 21 years of service with ADOC, ran to the garage and moved the Pressnell’s car away from the burning house while Mr. Presnell moved his truck. Officer Stover and Mr. Pressnell reentered the house to retrieve personal belongings but the collapsing roof forced them to evacuate. Officers Halbrooks and Stover waited with the Pressnells’ until their children arrived.

“Officer Stover saw the flames and I said, ‘Surely nobody is in that house.’ We pulled over and the lady was standing in the door. Obviously, they didn’t know the house was on fire,” said Halbrooks. “We tried to help but he eventually told us to stay away from it.”

For their bravery and valor and in recognition of selfless service to the State of Alabama, Governor Riley honored both Officer Halbrooks and Officer Stover with a Certificate of Commendation. ADOC also nominated both officers for the 2006 Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor as sponsored by the Department of Justice. The medal is awarded annually by the President to public safety officers who have exhibited exceptional courage in protecting or saving human lives.

MONTGOMERY – About 320 Alabama female inmates housed at the South Louisiana Correctional Center in Basile, Louisiana are being transferred closer to home. Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen announced today, that as part of a one year contract extension, LCS Corrections Services has agreed to relocate all Alabama females to the J. B. Evans Correctional Center in Newellton, LA. Newellton is located in Tensas Parrish, approximately 60 miles West of Jackson, Mississippi, just inside the Louisiana - Mississippi border. The Evans Correctional Center is also two and one-half hours closer to Alabama’s Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women.

The reduction in time and distance also eases the contractual supervision and oversight requirements for ADOC personnel. “We are excited about moving these women closer to Alabama and hopefully closer to their families,” said Allen. “Limited space at Tutwiler necessitates the need for additional housing and we are fortunate that LCS can provide us with more bed space within a shorter driving distance.”

The J.B. Evans Correctional Center opened in 1994 with additional beds added in 1997. A medium security facility, Evans has a current capacity of 440 inmates and will be used exclusively by Alabama females.

“By housing females at the Evans Correctional Center we can provide many enhanced services to the State of Alabama,” said LCS President Patrick LeBlanc. “With females only at this facility we will be able to provide more programs, more work activities and more recreational opportunities for the ladies.”

ADOC’s contract extension with LCS, which expires in July, 2007, includes a cost of $27.00 per day per inmate. The Department also houses 490 male inmates at LCS facilities in Basile and Pine Prairie, La. And recently Emerald Correctional Management of Shreveport, La., received selection as low bidder to house up to 600 additional medium custody inmates at a cost of $26.75 per day.

LCS will provide transport for all Alabama females during their relocation.

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Death Row inmate Randy Turpin Bell, AIS #Z430, B/M, DOB 4-15-55, died Sunday, July 9th at the Holman Correctional Facility. The time of death is estimated at 9:50 p.m. Bell had been moved to the health care unit at Holman when he passed of apparent natural causes.

As a matter of procedure, the Investigation and Intelligence division of ADOC will conduct an investigation into the death. The body has been turned over to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Mobile.

Bell was convicted of the 1981 capital murder of Charles Mims and sentenced to death on May 5, 1983, spending a total of 23 years, 2 months and 3 days on death row.

MONTGOMERY - Alabama Department of Corrections Chief Deputy Commissioner Vernon Barnett will participate in the Senate Leadership Summit for Young Professionals in Washington, D.C., September 19-20, 2006.

Governor Bob Riley nominated Barnett to be one of only 300 participants in this national event. The policy Summit will bring together government leaders and outstanding young professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 to discuss proposals to create more entrepreneurs, jobs, and wealth; strengthen U.S. competitiveness and technology; and provide innovative and affordable quality health care. U.S. Senators, representatives from the Bush Administration, and other experts from both industry and academia will be Summit speakers.

“I am honored to have been nominated by Governor Riley to attend the Leadership Summit,” Barnett said. “I look forward to representing Alabama and exchanging policy-based ideas with other young professionals from across the country.”

Barnett formerly worked as Governor Riley's Deputy Legal Advisor between May 2004 and February 2006. In that role, he also served as lead advisor to the Governor's Task Force on Prison Crowding and was instrumental in developing the package of prison reforms submitted to the Legislature in 2006.

Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen offered praise for his Chief Deputy, “Vernon established himself as an outstanding appellate advocate while working in the AG’s office and broadened his perspective as the Governor’s Deputy Legal Advisor. As Chief Deputy for Corrections he is gaining experience in the operations of a major state agency that will serve him well as he continues his career in public service. He is a perfect choice for this program.”

Barnett previously served as Deputy Solicitor General and as Assistant Alabama Attorney General from 1997-2004. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts in European History and later received his Jurist Doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1997.

CLAYTON - On Tuesday, June 20th, an unexpected thunderstorm with gusty, straight-line winds caused severe damage at the Ventress Correctional Facility. At approximately 6 p.m. high winds ripped the tin roofs off of three trailers housing 107 inmates, scattering debris about the facility. “Our staff reacted quickly to assure that all inmates were accounted for and that security was maintained. Fortunately, no one was hurt,” said Ventress Warden J.C. Giles.

Dorm 10 and the Alabama Correctional Industries building also suffered extensive damage, to include a large hole in the roof with numerous leaks and damage to exhaust vents. Inmates working in the Industries building at Ventress are responsible for the production of cardboard boxes and office furniture. Fencing behind Dorm 10 suffered damage with rows of razor wire missing. The Finance Division of Risk Management will cover damages less the deductible.

107 inmates housed in trailers 3, 4 and 5 were transferred to the visitation room of the prison for the night. 355 inmates are housed in units A & B of Dorm 10 where they remain. The roofs of trailers 3, 4 and 5 have been covered with plastic sheeting while ADOC engineers are on-site to access all damage.

Ventress Correctional Facility opened in August of 1990 with a primary mission to provide alcohol and drug treatment to the Department’s growing inmate population. With an original designed capacity of 650 inmates, Ventress now houses 1,650, operating at 249.2% of designed capacity. For more than a year, the gymnasium at Ventress has been utilized for housing up to 200 inmates. Ventress also offers academic and vocational training as provided by Sparks Technical College, while providing community services through inmate labor to local city, county and state agencies.

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is investigating a confirmed case of Tuberculosis (TB) at the Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Alabama.

The inmate in question arrived at Tutwiler on Monday, May 22, from Houston County. On May 31st she was placed in respiratory isolation. This case is in no way related to a recent suspect case of TB at Tutwiler which later proved to be negative.

Up to 106 additional inmates who may have come in contact with this person in Tutwiler’s receiving dorm are being placed under a medical hold pending further investigation and recommendations from ADPH. Out of an abundance of caution, this process may also necessitate a limited intake of female inmates from county jails statewide.

TB is treatable and preventable. Persons having questions regarding TB infection or disease are asked to please contact the Alabama Department of Public Health, Division of TB Control, at (334) 206-5330.

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen announced today that he has selected Emerald Correctional Management of Shreveport, Louisiana to be the Vendor for 600 medium custody contract beds. “The Governor’s Task Force on Prison Crowding carefully considered this issue and proposed the short-term use of private prison facilities in an effort to address the Department’s immediate overcrowding problem,” Allen said. ADOC currently houses more than 300 females and approximately 500 male inmates at private prison facilities in Louisiana.

Prior to the submission date of April 27, 2006 ADOC received a total of three vendor proposals. After careful review by a committee of ADOC personnel, the field was narrowed to two finalists: Emerald Correctional Management and Perry County Capital Improvement Cooperative District / Perry Detention Services. Both finalists met or exceeded the requirements set forth in the RFP. Emerald, however, offered its services at a cost of 23% less than the other Vendor. Commissioner Allen has, therefore, selected Emerald to be the Vendor for this 600 bed allotment. “I would have preferred to keep these prisoners and the associated payroll in Alabama but the $1.4 million annualized price differential is just too great,” Allen said. Emerald proposed a cost of $28.00 per day, per inmate while Perry Detention Services quoted a price of $34.50 per day.

All Vendors will be notified in writing regarding the selection of the successful Vendor. The parties will negotiate a formal written contract, subject to review by the Legislative Contract Review Committee and approval of the Governor. Once approval is complete, ADOC anticipates inmate transfers will begin within 14 days.

Shashy Response (.pdf 42kb)

Click link above to read ADOC's response to teh recent status hearing and order issued by Judge Shashy.

I have received a copy of Judge Shashy’s Order and my staff and I are reviewing it and considering our options.

As Commissioner, nothing would please me more than to be able to take all prisoners from the County jails the first day they become State prisoners, and my staff and I are working hard to find ways to do just that. We are in the process, with the Governor’s support, of executing a detailed and ambitious plan to solve our prison crowding problems, but the many and long-standing problems we face cannot be solved in a day, a month and perhaps in a year, although we will work hard.

We asked the plaintiffs and the Court to give us a year to see if our plan would achieve its goals of taking the crowding pressure off our jails and prisons. Their response is a draconian order that appears to be beyond my present capabilities. As the Judge and the Plaintiffs know, the vast majority of empty beds within our prison system are in unfenced, unsecured Work Release facilities. The Judge appears to be coercing me to place dangerous criminals in unsecured facilities, and this I will not do. Public safety is this Department’s highest priority, and I would not consider jeopardizing public safety just to save myself from being thrown in jail for contempt.

Richard F. Allen, Commissioner ADOC

MONTGOMERY- The Alabama Department of Corrections Investigation and Intelligence Division is investigating an inmate homicide at Limestone Correctional Facility. At Approximately 3:20 a.m., on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 inmate Joseph Lee Burns did allegedly strangle fellow inmate Peter Makres inside a segregation cell at Limestone.

Burns, W/M, DOB 4-18-84, AIS 225070, is serving a 20 year sentence out of Lauderdale County for theft of property I, rape I and sodomy I. His sentence date is 9-12-2002. Burns does have 11 disciplinary citations.

Makres, W/M, DOB 11-21-53, AIS 181300 was serving a 25 year sentence out of Jefferson County for possession of obscene material of a person under 17. Makres sentence date is 3-17-95, with 2 disciplinary actions on file.

As part of standard operating procedure, ADOC I&I is conducting an investigation, findings from which will be turned over to the Limestone District Attorney for potential prosecution.

SELMA- Training Director Wendy Williams announced today that The Alabama Corrections Academy will hold the year’s first Academy Basic Training graduation on Thursday, April 13, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. Twenty-nine Cadets are scheduled to graduate in the first of three basic training classes this year. Each class consist of a 12-week, 480 hour, intensive training program to include defensive tactics, classroom instruction and physical conditioning. Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen will serve as commencement speaker. “We are obviously in need of new Corrections Officers,” said Allen. “We must place recruiting and retention of DOC staff, especially Corrections Officers as one of our highest priorities.”

The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is the State’s largest law enforcement Agency, with the State’s most well trained officers. Upon graduation, each new officer is certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards Training Commission and required to complete an additional forty hours of In-service training per calendar year. ADOC is currently implementing plans for an intensive recruiting effort aimed at producing at least 450 new Correctional Officers each year, while at the same time reducing our attrition rate by making employment with The Department of Corrections more attractive to young Officers.

Please join us at 10:30 a.m., April 13, at the Alabama Corrections Academy Auditorium to celebrate and welcome these new Correctional Officers into the ADOC family. (Take US Hwy 80 West to Selma. Make a left at the 1st traffic light (Craig Field) onto 5th Street. At the stop sign, turn left onto Avenue C. The Academy Auditorium one-half mile on the left, Building 353.) The Department of Corrections welcomes your attendance.

MONTGOMERY - Please review the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) internet website www.doc.state.al.us ADOC is engaged in ongoing efforts to improve the content and quality of information provided for all concerned, including the public, inmate family members and the media.

In recent weeks Administrative Regulations governing all aspects of ADOC have been made available online. A link answering many frequently asked questions to include inmate data and visitation is also posted. An organizational chart describes various divisions within ADOC and their relative functions. Death row and execution rosters are now available to the general public along with monthly and annual statistical reports which detail every aspect of the inmate population, facility operation, work release, sentencing demographics, personnel and more.

The latest addition to the ADOC internet website is a page on escapes. Recent escapee’s photographs are shown along with relative information such as date of birth, height, weight, hair and eye color, date and location of escape as well as contact information for the ADOC Investigations and Intelligence (I&I) division. Randy Yarbrough is the Director of I&I. “We’ve had the escape page up for a few weeks now and already four inmates have been recaptured. Obviously we are hoping that the web site will generate tips that lead to the recapture of many others,” Yarbrough said.

ADOC ask that you please review this escape link under Public Information. If an ADOC escapee is from your area we ask that you use the photograph provided and print or air the escape information in an attempt to help us capture this inmate. Please do not hesitate to contact the Alabama Department of Corrections if you require further information.

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is transferring an additional seventy-nine male inmates to private facilities in Louisiana. Nine will go to the Pine Prairie Correctional Center in Pine Prairie, Louisiana. Pine Prairie is a 97,000 sq. ft. facility located on 12 acres, owned and operated by LCS Corrections Services, Inc., with a capacity for 690 adult inmates. ADOC currently houses approximately 309 female inmates at an LCS facility, South Louisiana Correctional Facility in Basile, LA.On a temporary basis, 70 ADOC male inmates are also being transferred to the Basile facility, with eventual relocation to Pine Prairie.

The 79 ADOC inmates were transferred from the Limestone Correctional Facility on Thursday, March 16th. A total of 490 male inmates have now been transferred to Louisiana. The emergency contract between ADOC and LCS allows for the housing of up to 500 Alabama male inmates at a cost of $29.50 per inmate, per day. Further inmate transfers may continue on an as needed basis and as contractually allowed.

The Alabama Department of Corrections is under court order in Barbour County v. Allen to reduce the State inmate population in all 67 counties. The number of State inmates in county jails beyond the court-approved 30-day limit has been reduced from about 1,600 at the beginning of 2003 to 623 as of Friday, March 10th. ADOC’s medium-security facilities are operating at 219.6% of designed capacity, thus necessitating the need for immediate and additional housing.

MONTGOMERY – Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen has ordered a review the Departments Work Release classification criteria. Allen’s action is in response to a request from the Joint Legislative Committee for Prison Oversight. In a letter to Commissioner Allen, Committee Chairman Sen. Myron Penn writes, “Based on information we have obtained, it is the opinion of the Committee that at least a part of the overcrowding problem may be attributed to the overly conservative classification of inmates.” In a February 28th hearing in Barbour County v. Allen, Circuit Judge William Shashy questioned why many Work Release beds remain unfilled. During a similar 2005 Work Release review ordered by Governor Bob Riley, inmates convicted of murder, manslaughter or criminally negligent homicides were barred from Work Release placement.

Commissioner Allen has assigned an ad hoc review committee to consist of the following persons:

Terry McDonnell, ADOC Deputy Commissioner Roy Hightower, ADOC Institutional Coordinator LeePosey Daniels, Warden II Montgomery Community Work Center Steve Watson, Warden II Elmore Correctional Facility James Sherrod, Consultant, Legislative Committee for Prison Oversight Rhonda Brownstein, Attorney, Southern Poverty Law Center Mary Pons, Attorney, Association of County Commissioners

As a consultant for the Prison Oversight Committee, Mr. Sherrod has toured ADOC facilities and compiled monthly reports on the state of prison operations. Mr. McDonnell, Mr. Hightower, Mr. Daniels and Mr. Watson have more than 100 years combined experience in ADOC, serving as officers, wardens and administrators at numerous facilities including Work Release.

As Legal Director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, Rhonda Brownstein has many years experience reviewing correctional issues from the inmates’ point of view. She also testified before the Governor’s Task Force on Prison Crowding regarding conditions and classification criteria. Association of County Commissioners Attorney Mary Pons has first hand knowledge of ADOC’s crowding dilemma through the Barbour County v. Allen litigation, which calls for state inmates to be removed from county jails in a timely fashion.

Commissioner Allen has tasked Deputy Commissioner Terry McDonnell as the committee chairman, with input from ADOC classification personnel to include Classification Director Paul Whaley. “The Committee’s charge is to review the criteria and procedures used in making classification determinations with respect to Work Release, and recommend changes if any, that may be appropriate. The Committee will bear in mind that our mandate from the Governor places public safety as our highest priority,” Allen said.

Inmates currently eligible for Work Release placement are classified with a security level of Community Custody. This custody level is for those inmates who have shown the ability to adjust to a semi-structured environment, and who are in that stage of incarceration where a strong reintegration effort is needed. Commissioner Allen has instructed the Work Release Review Committee to convene as soon as possible, and to have the committee’s recommendation ready for review by April 15, 2006.

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is continuing inmate transfers to the Pine Prairie Correctional Center in Pine Prairie, Louisiana. Pine Prairie is a 97,000 sq. ft. facility located on 12 acres, owned and operated by LCS Corrections Services, Inc., with a capacity for 690 adult inmates. ADOC currently houses approximately 308 female inmates at an LCS facility, South Louisiana Correctional Facility in Basile, LA.

An additional 140 inmates were transferred from ADOC’s Limestone Correctional Facility on Wednesday, March 8th. A total of 420 male inmates have now been transferred to Pine Prairie. The emergency contract between ADOC and LCS allows for up to 500 Alabama inmates to be housed at Pine Prairie at a cost of $29.50 per inmate, per day. Further inmate transfers may continue on an as needed basis.

The Alabama Department of Corrections is under court order in Barbour County v. Allen to reduce the State inmate population in all 67 counties. The number of State inmates in county jails beyond the court-approved 30-day limit has been reduced from about 1,600 at the beginning of 2003 to 593 as of Friday, March 3rd. ADOC’s medium-security facilities are operating at 222% of designed capacity, thus necessitating the need for immediate and additional housing.

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Commissioner Richard F. Allen has announced the appointment of two merit system employees to ADOC’s senior executive staff: Rachel Lee and Terrance McDonnell. “We are lucky to have employees the caliber of Rachel Lee and Terry McDonnell who will move up and provide great senior leadership. Both have a wealth of experience and are totally dedicated to the State’s correctional system,” Allen said.

Allen also announced the appointment of Anne Adams of Montgomery to the position of Special Assistant to the Commissioner. Adams previously worked in the Attorney General’s capital litigation division since 2001. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in 1997, followed by a law degree in 2001. “Ms. Adams is extremely bright and a hard worker. She will handle special projects and complex research assignments,” Allen said.

Associate Commissioner Rachel Lee resides in Troy. She agreed to accept additional duties in the challenging position of Chief of Administrative Services, the position previously held by Deputy Commissioner Terence Jones. Mrs. Lee, a graduate of Samford University’s School of Business in Birmingham, has served as Director of Accounting for the Alabama Department of Corrections since 1992. In all, she has 35 years State service, 32 in the Department of Corrections.

“I am excited about my continued career with the Department of Corrections and the prospects of what this new administration plans for this agency,” Lee said.

Warden III, Terrance G. McDonnell has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner over Program Services, replacing former Deputy Commissioner John Jacobs. A Montgomery native, Warden McDonnell began his career with the Alabama Department of Corrections in 1981 at Staton Correctional Facility as a COI. He worked his way up through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain at Kilby, as Warden II at Ventress, Tutwiler, and Frank Lee, and as Warden III at Ventress, Tutwiler and Kilby. McDonnell received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) in 1983, and a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from AUM in 1987. “I appreciate the confidence Commissioner Allen has shown in me. I’ve been a part of this department for 25 years and I look forward to serving in this new role. I’ve had a chance to review the recommendations of the Task Force and believe these reforms will help move DOC in the right direction,” McDonnell said.

Deputy Commissioner Greg Lovelace will remain in charge of prison operations. Other staff announcements will be made as necessary.

MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley announced he has appointed Richard Allen to serve as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections. Allen served as Chief Deputy Attorney General under three Alabama Attorneys General -- Jeff Sessions, Bill Pryor and Troy King. He is currently an attorney with the Montgomery law firm of Capell and Howard.

“Richard Allen is a can-do person who is eager to tackle this job, reform the system and bring about some needed solutions,” Governor Riley said. “He is a valuable addition to what I believe to be the best Cabinet that’s ever served the people of Alabama.”

“Some have called this one of the toughest jobs in state government. I believe it’s the best job in state government and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Allen said.

In addition, Governor Riley named his Deputy Legal Advisor, Vernon Barnett, to the position of Chief Deputy Commissioner of Corrections. Barnett served as lead advisor to the Governor’s Task Force on Prison Crowding and was instrumental in developing the package of prison reforms that Governor Riley submitted to the Legislature earlier this year. Those reforms were recommended by a task force the Governor appointed and are supported by judges, prosecutors and victim advocates.

Barnett has served as the Governor’s Deputy Legal Advisor since May 2004. He previously served as Deputy Solicitor General and as Assistant Alabama Attorney General from 1997-2004.

Allen served for seven years during the 1960s in the U.S. Army in various command and staff assignments in Vietnam and West Germany. He achieved the rank of Major and resigned his Army commission in 1970 to attend law school. After graduating from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1973, he served as law clerk for then-Chief Justice Howell Heflin on the Alabama Supreme Court.

He retired as a brigadier general from the Army Reserve in 1993, where his last command was the 3rd Transportation Brigade in Anniston. Allen, a native of Decatur, now resides in Prattville.

Allen replaces current Commissioner Donal Campbell, who announced last week he was resigning effective February 28 to pursue other opportunities.

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) will begin inmate transfers to the Pine Prairie Correctional Center in Pine Prairie, Louisiana. Pine Prairie is a 97,000 sq. ft. facility located on 12 acres, owned and operated by LCS Corrections Services, Inc., with a capacity for 690 adult inmates. ADOC currently houses approximately 311 female inmates at an LCS facility, South Louisiana Correctional Facility in Basile, LA. ADOC will initiate transfers with 140 medium-security male inmates. The emergency contract between ADOC and LCS allows for up to 500 Alabama inmates to be housed at Pine Prairie at a cost of $29.50 per inmate, per day. Further inmate transfers may continue on a scheduled basis.

The Alabama Department of Corrections is under court order in Barbour County v. Campbell to reduce the State inmate population in all 67 counties. The number of State inmates in county jails beyond the court-approved 30-day limit has been reduced from about 1,600 at the beginning of 2003 to some 640 presently. ADOC’s medium-security facilities are operating at 222% of designed capacity, thus necessitating the need for immediate and additional housing.

MONTGOMERY – Friday morning Governor Bob Riley accepted the resignation of Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Donal Campbell, who is leaving the administration to pursue other opportunities.

“I’m grateful for Commissioner Campbell’s commitment and service to the state of Alabama,” Governor Riley said. “During his tenure, Donal has maintained a positive outlook in one of the most difficult positions in state government.”

“It has been an honor to serve in the Riley Administration and with the dedicated and hard working employees in the Department of Corrections over the past three years,” Campbell said. “The challenges facing Alabama’s prison system are well known and have built up over decades, but under Governor Riley’s leadership, the right steps are being taken to face those challenges and reform the system.”

Campbell’s resignation is effective February 28. No replacement for the position has been named at this time.

Campbell previously served as Commissioner of the Tennessee prison system prior to joining the Riley Administration in 2003.