By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
contracts. (Photo credit: Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, temporarily delayed two Alabama Department of Corrections contract increases totaling $33 million, demanding answers about the agency’s strategy for resolving expensive federal prison lawsuits.
The Legislature’s Contract Review Committee considered four amendments Aug. 6 that would provide private attorney Bill Lunsford of Butler Snow with an additional $39 million. The proposed increases break down as follows:
• $30 million—delayed: Defense of Alabama in the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit over violence and unsafe conditions in men’s prisons.
• $3 million—delayed: The Braggs v. Dunn litigation concerning inadequate mental-health care for incarcerated people.
• $4.5 million—allowed: Litigation involving alleged physical and sexual abuse at Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women.
• $1.5 million—allowed: The Duke v. Dunn lawsuit involving allegedly dangerous conditions at St. Clair Correctional Facility.
England therefore delayed $33 million and allowed $6 million to proceed. His holds can last a maximum of 45 days, after which the contracts may advance without committee approval.
The largest amendment would increase the Justice Department lawsuit contract from $6.675 million to $36.675 million. The Braggs amendment would increase its contract from $1.65 million to $4.65 million.
England said he wants ADOC to explain whether settlement discussions have occurred and compare the costs of continuing litigation with resolving the cases and implementing reforms.
“There is a direct correlation between how much you pay your lawyers and how bad of a client you are,” England said, calling ADOC “an awful client.”
The Justice Department sued Alabama in 2020, alleging that violence, sexual abuse, excessive force and unsafe conditions in men’s prisons violated constitutional protections.