The bill amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to improve the operational framework of the Department of Corrections. Key changes include increasing the maximum number of deputy commissioners from three to five and renaming the Deputy Commissioner for Prisoner Rehabilitation to Deputy Commissioner for Inmate Rehabilitation. A new provision allows the Commissioner to appoint exempt employees for departmental operations and constituent services, specifically mandating the appointment of 15 employees dedicated to constituent services by March 1, 2025. These employees will not require certification as corrections or law enforcement officers and will handle inquiries and complaints from constituents and families of inmates. Additionally, the bill ensures that correctional officer positions cannot be replaced with lower classification employees, preserving the integrity of the workforce.

The bill also modifies the responsibilities of the Joint Prison Oversight Committee, which will now focus on long-term correctional needs and mental health issues for inmates reentering the community. The requirement for the committee to report its findings by the fifteenth legislative day of each regular session has been deleted, allowing it to report upon request or by majority vote. The committee will collaborate with various stakeholders, including the Department of Mental Health and the Alabama Drug Abuse Task Force, to assess the design and operational capacity of correctional facilities and the services provided to inmates and their families. Furthermore, by September 1, 2024, the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts will employ an individual to assist the committee, and the bill emphasizes a more inclusive approach to ensure diverse representation in its studies and partnerships. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 14-1-1, 14-1-4
Engrossed: 14-1-1, 14-1-4
Enrolled: 14-1-1, 14-1-4