State prison officials are on an incredible run. In a little more
than a month, they have settled three serious and potentially costly and
lengthy lawsuits over conditions at state prisons for men and women.
The settlements come with reasonable terms for the state and modest
costs, considering the condition of the prisons and what could have
happened if the cases had dragged on for years in the courts.
The latest settlement involves prisoners at Tutwiler, the state's
prison for women. The Atlanta-based Southern Center for Human Rights
sued the state in 2002 on behalf of inmates because of deplorable,
dangerously crowded conditions at the Wetumpka lockup.
At the time, Tutwiler had 1,000 inmates in space designed for only
360. It also had the highest rate of violent acts among inmates, making
it the most dangerous prison in Alabama. U.S. District Judge Myron
Thompson ruled conditions at the prison - a "ticking time bomb," he said
- were unconstitutional.
Since then, the state has worked to relieve the crowding and the
unsafe conditions. The state shipped 300 inmates to a private prison in
Louisiana and expanded the Board of Pardons and Paroles to speed up the
parole of inmates. Today, Tutwiler houses about 700 inmates.
The agreement announced this week - which Thompson still must approve
- should go further to improve conditions at Tutwiler. The Department of
Corrections agreed to improve medical and mental health care and
inmates' access to classes and drug treatment. Inmates also will get
more ice, fans and showers to deal with the sweltering heat in the
prison.
Most important, though, is that the care of inmates and the
conditions within the prison will be monitored for the next four years
by a doctor, a mental health expert and lawyers and advocates from the
Southern Center.
Without such monitoring, there's no guarantee the prison system will
hold up its end in making and sustaining the improvements. The state has
an abysmal record when it comes to prisoners' care.
The Tutwiler agreement is similar to those reached in lawsuits
brought on behalf of inmates at the St. Clair men's prison and at the
Limestone prison where men infected with HIV/AIDS are housed. In those
cases, prison officials agreed to substantial, common-sense changes that
should improve prison conditions and inmates' health care, and for
outside monitors to track those improvements.
The good news for taxpayers is that the improvements will likely come
with a modest price tag, though the exact costs to comply with the
agreements, including attorneys' fees, haven't been figured.
Credit Gov. Bob Riley's administration, including prison Commissioner
Donal Campbell, for seeking to settle what could have been difficult and
costly court battles. In the past, the state has unwisely fought losing
court battles over prisons and other inadequate state services. It's
encouraging this administration is taking a smarter approach.
But also credit the Southern Center for Human Rights. Its willingness
to reach agreement with the state proves its focus is on improving
prison conditions for inmates, not enriching lawyers.
