It was the same story for criminal justice reform in the Alabama Legislature this year as in previous years: Bills got filed, but most never made it to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk.
Legislators did enact laws making incremental changes, such as a bill to make it easier for people who were formerly incarcerated to obtain occupational licenses and create more opportunities for diversion programs were approved.
And advocates said they were encouraged that legislation they continue to support moved further along in the process than in the past.
“Giving a grade on criminal justice reform in Alabama is always a challenge because the steps that are taken forward are, oftentimes, minimal, although they are impactful to certain segments of the population,” said Jerome Dees, policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center. “However, what we as a collective community need to do is change the narrative around what actually is public safety and what drives making neighborhoods and communities safe.”
Bills to reform the parole and bail system in the state; allowing reconsideration of sentences for nonviolent offenses imposed before reforms of the Habitual Felony Offender Act, and delaying sentencing for those who are pregnant failed in committees or stalled and were not considered by either the full House or Senate.