Alabama Shame on You, Using Virus Relief Funds to Build More Prisons

How lawmakers want to build three new prisons with virus relief money while many in the state are not vaccinated and the pandemic is on the rise

The Politicians’ View on Virus Relief Funds:

When I learned of what Alabama governor and GOP politicians were contemplating doing with the virus relief funds, my mouth dropped to my feet with disbelief. I yet cannot phantom this type of thinking while many are yet unvaccinated and dying by the minutes even in Alabama.

The Governor, Kay Ivey was on the news months ago, challenging her state to take the vaccine as their own responsibility and to do the right thing for the country. Since then, all had been quiet with the Governor and lawmakers other than the usual rhetoric.

To date, Alabama wants to take the virus relief funds and build more prisons. People in prison are dying from the virus also, so where is the logic here. Sounds like more prisons would equal more deaths because the virus is far from ending. We have not even gotten herd immunity, yet.

Politicians around the country have seemed to have lost touch with their constituents and the general public who elected them for representation in government. Most politicians have forgotten they work for the people and now the reverse. So, how do more prisons represent the people? You don’t lock up whom you work for because there would be consequences!

There is $400 million in pandemic relief funds and Alabama is itching to build new prisons per Governor Ivey and the Republican legislative leaders. In doing this, they will save state taxpayers money. Why build new prisons and not refurbish the old prisons at some point and time but certainly not doing a pandemic.

The funds were mandated for the virus and not prisons. If they don’t need the money then give it to another state that is suffering where they can’t build enough hospital places to house the infected. This money was given for the virus and not used at will. If not prison, then something else. If they didn’t need the money perhaps they should have refused it.

Assuming that this money will be used regardless of what critics say, the Alabama lawmakers already had a special session focused on a $1.3-billion plan to build at least three new prisons and renovate others to be done in phases. These three new prisons, a 4,000-bed prison in Elmore County, 4,000-bed prison in Escambia County, and a women’s prison.

Governor Ivey and the Republican legislative leaders can defend their desires until the end of time but nothing justifies using much-needed money for the virus as so many are dying in Alabama, all the United States, and worldwide. Their justification is that this virus funds would enable the state to “pay cash” for part of the construction and avoid using state dollars plus interest on a loan. Seriously? People are dying and the focus is on dollars. Alabama shame on you!

The chairperson, GOP Sen. Greg Albritton, of the Senate general fund budget committee stated their comfortability using the virus relief funds was legal for prison construction, these dollars replace revenue lost during the pandemic and these funds have fewer restrictions. The question, during the pandemic? The pandemic is yet killing people even in Alabama. Why not help the people instead of building prisons to throw them in? Why not help the many who have lost their jobs, homes, and business due to the pandemic? Where’s the humanity here?

According to the media, Alabama does not even address the problem or solution of the state incarceration system. Building new prisons does not sound like it is on their radar. Prisons are big money makers for states. Shame on Alabama.

The 1.9-trillion Covid-19 rescue package was given to all the states and cities to be able to recover and stay afloat from the ravages of the pandemic was signed and provided by the Biden’s administration. Recovering from the pandemic is not the same as building new prisons even though the funds lacked final rule on usage.

Alabama Activists’, (Ordinary People Society, Worth Roses, Justice Captial, Alabama Arise, and others) View on Virus Relief Funds:

Why not use the federal dollars to invest in their communities for productive infrastructures like K-12, early childhood education, access to high quality and affordable healthcare, clean water and sanitation, as well as promoting a green economy through the transition to renewable energy sources, expansion of the state’s Medicaid program for uninsured Alabamians, child care programs and to assist low-income or no-income families.

Activists and progressive investor groups are petitioning Janet Yellen, Treasury Secretary, asking the administration to forbid states from using virus relief funds for prison construction projects, and for the relief fund to be directed toward assisting communities hardest hit by the pandemic.

Thankfully, the Treasury officials have stated that the department will be monitoring the usage of the virus relief funds by state and local government and if misusage is found, the monies would have to be repaid to the federal government.

In conclusion, politicians need to go back to serving the people and not themselves, replace greed with empathy, walk in another’s shoes for a least a mile, and do the job they were elected to do, to serve ALL the people.

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