New ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Analysis: Mass Parole Denials in Alabama Amid Pandemic
Despite a dozen deaths, Alabama fails to release older, at-risk people from prison
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Nearly 200 of theÌý1,100 people older than 65 in Alabama prisons are eligible for parole but have not been released despite the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Southern Poverty Law Center (ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½) analysis published today.
In April of this year, the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ first identified hundreds of people incarcerated in Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) custody who are older than 65 and are therefore at an elevated risk for COVID-19 infection. In the more than five months that have passed since ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½â€™s first analysis, a dozen people in this high-risk population have died as a result of the virus while others have died because of other illnesses. A total of 22 incarcerated people have died from COVID-19, according to ADOC.
Now, a new ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ analysis of a list of the oldest incarcerated people in Alabama reveals nearly 200 of them are eligible for parole but have either had no hearing or have been denied parole.ÌýÌý
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ is among a number of advocacy organizations that for months have been calling for Alabama officials to reduce the prison population in various ways – including increased use of parole – as COVID-19 spreads through the carceral system.
Read ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½â€™s latest analysis here.
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