Discussions are underway in Montgomery regarding the construction of three new prisons and additional prison renovations.
Alabama lawmakers have started a special session on a $1.3 billion prison construction plan and other reforms.
Legislators are proposing to use COVID-19 dollars from the American Rescue fund. The plan also borrows nearly $800 million through a bond issue.
The bill also requests $150 million in general fund dollars to the project. Gov. Kay Ivey and those who support the bill argue the construction is necessary to combat violence within prisons.
Critics say prison reform won’t come from improved infrastructure, and argue the proposal is a misuse of pandemic relief funds.
The bills were in House committees on Tuesday, and lawmakers say the session could be concluded by Friday.