2022 Alabama prison strike
The 2022 Alabama prison strike is a general strike organized by imprisoned laborers in correctional facilities for males operated by the Alabama Department of Corrections. The work stoppage began on Monday September 26, 2022 and ended before October 17 of that year.
The strike was organized at multiple levels, with leadership from the Free Alabama Movement and support from the Georgia-based Black Inmate Commissary Fund and other mutual aid organizations, as well as from inmates' families and friends who have picketed outside the department's offices at the RSA Criminal Justice Center in Montgomery.
Participants specifically opposed the department's policy of assigning unpaid jobs to inmates such as food preparation, laundry services and prison maintenance, and for the disfunction in the parole system that provides virtually no possibility of early release. Those policies provide no incentive for inmates to support the prison system with their cooperation and labor, and have been characterized by organizers as "neo slavery".
Strike participants also demanded a reform of Alabama's pattern of excessive sentencing, specifically minimum sentences imposed under the Alabama Habitual Offender Act and the state's ever-growing list of capital offenses, as well as excessive parole eligibility terms for juvenile offenders, and the effective lack of medical furlough and compassionate release opportunities. Striking inmates have called for creation of a statewide "conviction integrity unit" to review questionable convictions. These issues have contributed to the overcrowded prison facilities, which in turn increases risks to inmates' physical and mental health.
During previous isolated work stoppages, ADOC staff filled in as cooks and launderers, but due to system-wide staff shortages and widespread strikes at every major facility, those service were interrupted during the 2022 strike. Inmates were given cold sandwiches for two meals a day. Some rehabilitation and educational programs were suspended, along with exercise, television, telephone and visitation rights. Meanwhile others in the department's custody who had been assigned to work release centers were forced to do work at residential prisons.
One list of demands was delivered to the offices of the Alabama Department of Corrections by outside demonstrators. In a statement, Governor Kay Ivey said that the strikers' demands were "unreasonable" and would "not be welcomed."
By Monday, October 3, enough inmates had reported to work to resume regular meal service at 10 of the Department's 15 facilities. By October 17 the department reported that the work stoppage had ended, and that all restrictions on inmate movement and programs had been lifted.
References
- Cason, Mike (September 26, 2022) "Alabama prison system reports work stoppage after group calls for inmate strike." The Birmingham News
- Glenn, John H. (September 26, 2022) "Incarcerated workers go on strike in Alabama’s correctional facilities." Alabama Political Reporter
- "Media Advisory" (September 28, 2022) Alabama Department of Corrections
- Glenn, John H. (September 29, 2022) "Alabama prison strike enters third day." Alabama Political Reporter
- Hrynkiw, Ivana (October 3, 2022) "Most Alabama inmates back to work after week-long prison strike." The Birmingham News
- Cason, Mike (October 17, 2022) "Alabama Department of Corrections says inmate work stoppage has ended." The Birmingham News
- Zarook, Ruqaiyah (December 22, 2022) "Hero of 2022: Alabama Prison Strikers" Mother Jones