MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Corrections is under scrutiny for its lack of transparency regarding the deaths of individuals in its custody, complicating efforts to understand the conditions in state prisons. A report released by the ACLU of Alabama, in collaboration with its national affiliate, highlights significant gaps in data regarding how, and why, people are dying while incarcerated.
In 2024, a total of 277 individuals lost their lives in Alabama correctional facilities, with over a third of these deaths classified by the ADOC as “unknown” or “under investigation.” This lack of clarity has raised alarms about accountability and the safety standards within the state’s prison system.
Alison Mollman, the Legal Director at ACLU of Alabama, expressed deep concerns. “ADOC has shown a disturbing pattern of evading accountability by not disclosing comprehensive information about deaths in its institutions. With the Department of Justice labeling current prison conditions as unconstitutional, it is crucial to hold ADOC accountable for lives lost under its care,” she said.
The ADOC ceased its routine monthly reporting on custodial deaths back in 2019, opting instead for less frequent quarterly updates that omit crucial demographic details. The classifications used by the department to categorize these deaths—such as accidental, suicide, or natural causes—lack clear definitions, thus obfuscating the reality surrounding these fatalities.
The ACLU report emphasizes that many deaths attributed to benign classifications might conceal more severe underlying issues. For example, deaths resulting from violent incidents have sometimes been mischaracterized as natural. Additionally, the term “Autopsy Not Authorized” often misrepresents the law, which only mandates autopsies in certain circumstances.
Ranya Ahmed, Head of Analytics at ACLU, discussed the extensive investigation undertaken to piece together data on these deaths, stressing the need for accurate reporting practices. “Our research spanned over a year, driven by the overwhelming need for transparency and consistency in how ADOC manages information about deaths in custody,” she noted.
Further findings from the report reveal a troubling racial disparity in homicides within the prison system. Of those who died from homicide in ADOC custody, 72% were Black, despite Black residents making up just over a quarter of Alabama’s overall population. Additionally, nearly half of all deaths in custody involved Black individuals.
Drug-related incidents also highlighted serious concerns about substance availability in facilities. The report indicates that 46 of the 277 deaths were classified as accidental or overdose incidents. It detailed the ongoing presence of illegal drugs in prisons, even during restrictions on visitations. In one instance, over 50,000 grams of drugs were confiscated from state facilities in just three months.
The report also documents arrests among ADOC staff for contraband offenses, including the indictment of a warden. As staff members acknowledged, a significant source of contraband entering prisons is through personnel themselves, raising further questions about internal security measures.
To enhance accountability and ensure accurate reporting surrounding deaths in custody, the ACLU of Alabama recommends several legislative changes. Key recommendations include mandating autopsies for all deaths, improving the clarity of death classifications, reinstating monthly death reports, and requiring an annual summary of deaths that includes comprehensive demographic data.
These proposed reforms aim not only to improve the accuracy of reporting but also to cultivate a more transparent and accountable corrections system in Alabama.