HB124 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg Wren

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

County jail, grand jury inspections, minimum number each year required, Sec. 12-16-191 am'd.

Summary

The bill requires Alabama county grand juries to inspect their county jail at least twice a year and allows indicting county commissioners if the jail is not properly built, kept, or ventilated.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 12-16-191 to require grand juries to conduct a minimum of two inspections per year and to assess the jail’s safety, housing, and health conditions, including how the jail has been kept since the last court inspection. If the jail is not properly constructed to prevent escapes and is not properly ventilated, the grand jury may cause the county commissioners at the time the deficiency was found to be indicted, as often as necessary. The act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects

• Grand juries in Alabama counties, who gain a new duty to inspect jails at least twice per year and evaluate jail conditions
• County commissioners, who could be indicted if jail conditions are found to be not properly constructed, maintained, or ventilated

Key Provisions

• Mandates a minimum of two annual inspections of the county jail by the grand jury to assess safety, accommodation, and health, and to review conditions since the last inspection
• Authorizes indictments of the county commissioners responsible for the jail if deficiencies are found related to proper construction, security to prevent escapes, and ventilation
• Amends Section 12-16-191 to implement these requirements
• Effective date: immediately after the governor's approval (or otherwise when it becomes law)

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Jails