SJR20 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Prison Reform Task Force, created, study of prison overcrowding
Summary: Creates the Alabama Prison Reform Task Force to study prison overcrowding and identify legislative remedies.
What This Bill Does
It establishes a diverse task force with members from the Senate, House, Governor's Office, state agencies, the judiciary, and other groups. The task force will examine the causes of prison overcrowding and understaffing and study a wide range of related issues, including court procedures, sentencing, parole, prison admissions and length of stay, community programs, recidivism, and drug court options to find solutions. It must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the 15th day of the 2015 Regular Session, at which point the task force will be dissolved. Members may be reimbursed for expenses, and legislative members will receive compensation and per diem for attending meetings; the Governor will appoint the chair after all appointments are made.

Who It Affects
Prison inmates and corrections staff, who are affected by overcrowding and understaffing and may benefit from policy changes proposed by the task force.
State lawmakers and government agencies (including the Governor's Office, Attorney General, DOC, DPS, judiciary, and related groups) who will appoint members, participate in the task force, and consider any resulting legislation.

Key Provisions
Creates the Alabama Prison Reform Task Force with a broad, diverse membership drawn from the Senate, House, various state offices, departments, and professional organizations, with the Governor appointing the chair after all appointments are made.
Task force studies the causes of overcrowding and understaffing and analyzes issues such as court procedures, sentencing, crime data, parole policies, prison admissions and length of stay, community programs, and recidivism to propose solutions.
Requires a report of findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than the 15th day of the 2015 Regular Session, after which the task force is dissolved.
Provides expense reimbursement for nonlegislative members and compensation and per diem for legislative members; includes clerical support for meetings.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Resolutions, Legislative