HB323 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Corrections Dept., require the dept. to make quarterly reports to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee and to provide for the reporting requirements, revise the correctional officers oath of office, Sec. 14-1-21 added; Sec. 14-3-13 am'd.

Summary

HB323 would require quarterly reporting by the Department of Corrections to a legislative oversight committee and update the correctional officer oath.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new section requiring the Department of Corrections to provide quarterly reports to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee with data on inmate population, officer staffing, program participation (by sex), litigation involving department personnel, inmate sexual abuse/victimization, inmate deaths (including autopsy details), and contraband found in facilities, while allowing withholding of sensitive information. It also revises the correctional officer oath to require officers to take the oath before duties and to include updated language about constitutional support, duty fulfillment, adherence to department rules, and not mistreating prisoners. Section 1 becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage, while Section 2 (the oath change) takes effect immediately after passage.

Who It Affects

• Alabama Department of Corrections: must compile and submit detailed quarterly reports to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee and ensure information is withheld where legally required.
• Correctional officers and guards: must take the updated oath before performing duties, with the oath text requiring fidelity to constitutional duties and non-abuse of prisoners.

Key Provisions

• Adds §14-1-21 requiring quarterly reports to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee, including data on inmate population, staffing levels, program participation (by sex), litigation involving department employees, inmate sexual abuse/victimization, inmate deaths (with autopsy details), and contraband recovered; allows withholding of sensitive information.
• Amends §14-3-13 to require all correctional officers to take and subscribe the oath before duties, with updated language emphasizing support for the U.S. and Alabama constitutions, faithful execution of duties, compliance with department rules, and prohibition of mistreating prisoners.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Corrections Department