MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn said Thursday that he is optimistic the state will reach a settlement and avoid a Department of Justice lawsuit over prison violence.
The U.S. Department of Justice this month released a scathing report saying Alabama inmates are housed in violent, unsafe and unconstitutional conditions. Dunn told the Joint Legislative Committee on Prison Oversight that the department is communicating with federal officials and he is optimistic they will reach a settlement agreement.
“We’ve got to address these issues. I’ve been saying that for four years, ever since I came into this position,” Dunn told reporters after the meeting.
Understaffing was a major concern identified by the Justice Department. Committee members quizzed Dunn on the department’s attempt to add staff.
Alabama is attempting to hire 500 officers within a year to comply with a court order in an ongoing prison health care case to add about 2,000 officers by 2020.