Russell Bedsole
Alabama sheriffs say end of concealed carry permit requirements cost them funding
When the Alabama Legislature debated a measure to abolish concealed carry permits in 2022, sheriffs around the state said doing so would take away a valuable enforcement tool and deny them income. Six months after the law took effect, several sheriffs say a grant program that was included with the program isn’t enough to make […]
Criminal justice reform advocates see mixed results in Alabama Legislature
For criminal justice reform advocates, the 2023 session of the Alabama Legislature was a mixed bag. Groups managed to push through a bill limiting courts’ ability to suspend driver’s licenses for missed payments or court dates. Other bills they opposed failed to pass. But few other priority measures gained traction in a year when the […]
Alabama House passes bill authorizing review of some habitual felony offender sentences
The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday approved a bill that could give a small group of inmates the chance to have their sentences reviewed. HB 229, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, is intended to give people who had been convicted of a crime that did not result in a physical injury to a person […]
Alabama House could vote on review of some habitual felony offender sentences
A House committee Wednesday approved a bill giving people sentenced under the Habitual Felony Offender Act a chance of rehearing after several weeks of negotiations between lawmakers and criminal justice advocacy groups. HB 229, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, creates a process where a group of people with long prison sentences can have their […]
House committee approves bill allowing corrections officers to assist law enforcement
Law enforcement may soon receive additional assistance from Corrections officers when dealing with public safety matters. The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee approved SB 225, sponsored by April Weaver, R-Alabaster, on Wednesday by a unanimous voice vote. The bill allows a corrections officer certified by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission […]
Alabama House Judiciary Committee delays bill streamlining voting rights restoration
The House Judiciary Committee Wednesday delayed a decision on a bill that would streamline the process for those who have served disqualifying criminal sentences to get their voting rights back. Committee members held off a vote on HB 96, sponsored by Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, that would streamline the voter restoration process after some Republican […]
Bill reducing good time incentives for inmates headed to Gov. Kay Ivey
A bill that would cut the sentence reductions an inmate can get for good behavior headed to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk on Tuesday. SB1, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, passed the Alabama House of Representatives on a 79-24 vote. Supporters said the bill, which stemmed from the death of a Bibb County deputy last […]
Alabama House committee approves bill limiting good time for prison inmates
An Alabama House Committee Wednesday approved a bill that would cut the sentence reductions an inmate can get for good behavior in prison. The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee overwhelmingly approved HB 9, sponsored by Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Montevallo. Prison inmates currently receive correctional incentive time, also known as good time, based on […]