First state audit of Alabama prisons finds need for "fundamental change"

The first state-ordered audit of Alabama's prison system found that there is an "underlying sense of secrecy" at the agency that calls for a "fundamental change of culture."

The 367-page audit reports findings from the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts detailed numerous issues at Kilby Correctional while also highlighting the auditors own difficulty ascertaining information due to obstacles from administration.

The beleaguered prison system is set to face trail beginning on November 30 in a lawsuit launched by the Department of Justice in 2020 concerning conditions within the prison, including violence from correctional officers.

According to the audit, ADOC often used the litigation as a shield as auditors tried to probe the agency.

"While ADEPA understands ADOC is involved in extensive litigation, such a requirement is not typical and should not be normal procedure when ADEPA conducts oversight activities with state agencies," the report states. "ADEPA had great difficulty obtaining requested records from ADOC. Records that should be readily available at any state agency were not at ADOC. Ultimately, ADEPA had to issue a subpoena to ADOC to obtain certain records.”

Greg Lovelace, the newest commissioner at ADOC, wrote in response that the findings of the audit should be taken in the context that conditions at the prisons may have been different on any other given day.

"ADEPA’s Report, including conclusions drawn from limited samples and observations made at a particular point in time, should be cautiously considered," Lovelace wrote. "A facility condition observed during a visit reflects what was present on that day; it does not, alone, indicate conditions during the remaining days of the year."

The audit emerged as a resolution to legislation proposed by State Senator Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, calling for increased prison oversight.