Eye on Politics: Alabama lawmakers can fix state prisons without weakening criminal justice system
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Alabama lawmakers can fix state prisons without weakening criminal justice system
Eye on Politics
Paul DeMarco
It appears that Gov. Kay Ivey is gearing up to call a special session this fall to address the chronic problems with Alabama’s corrections system. There is still work to be done between the executive and legislative branch to get consensus on what can get enough votes to pass.
There is also a lot of talk about what will be in the final package that will be proposed to the lawmakers, but most suspect it will include a bond package to renovate existing prisons, build new facilities and provide for more services for mental health and re-entry back into society.
However, Democrats and liberal advocacy groups in the state will be lobbying for the legislature to do more than address the prisons themselves.
They will continue their irresponsible efforts to repeal the habitual felony laws in the state and attempt to weaken the pardons and paroles system so as to put more violent felons back on the streets.
Alabama State representatives and senators should focus on what it will take to correct the problems within the state prison walls and resolve these chronic issues.
The most important role of the state is to protect its citizens.
Thus, any proposals to weaken the state’s criminal laws and endanger the public should be dead on arrival and not considered.
Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives.