SJR43 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Prison Reform Task Force, created
Summary: Creates the Alabama Prison Reform Task Force to study prison overcrowding, understaffing, and related policy options and report recommendations to the Legislature.
What This Bill Does
Establishes a multi-member task force with representatives from legislative and state agencies, victims’ advocacy, law enforcement, and the judiciary. The task force will study causes of prison overcrowding and understaffing and examine a wide range of issues such as court procedures, sentencing, parole, prison admissions, community programs, recidivism, and health insurance policies for people in the criminal justice system. It must report findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the 15th day of the 2016 Regular Session, after which the task force is dissolved. It also provides for member reimbursements, legislator compensation, and clerical support.

Who It Affects
Prison population and the Alabama corrections system (potential policy changes to address overcrowding and staffing).
State agencies and officials involved (Department of Corrections, Attorney General's Office, Governor's Office, Alabama Law Institute, Judicial Department, Sheriff’s Association, Association of County Commissions, Alabama Bar).
Victims’ advocacy groups and the broader public interested in public safety and justice policy.
Legislators and legislative staff who will receive the task force findings and may draft related legislation.

Key Provisions
Provision 1: Creates the Alabama Prison Reform Task Force with specified members from the Senate, House, state agencies, law enforcement, judiciary, victims’ advocacy, and other groups; the Governor appoints the chair after all appointments are made; membership should reflect state diversity.
Provision 2: Task force studies causes of overcrowding and understaffing and a broad set of related issues, including court procedures, sentencing, parole, prison admissions and length of stay, community work programs, recidivism, and health insurance eligibility for those in the criminal justice system.
Provision 3: Task force must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than the 15th day of the 2016 Regular Session; upon report, the task force dissolves.
Provision 4: Nonlegislative members may be reimbursed for meeting expenses; legislative members receive regular compensation, per diem, and travel expenses; clerical support is provided; funding mechanisms are described.

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