SB345 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Department of Corrections, commissioner required to review inmate population and determine inmates at high risk of Covid-19, cert. inmates released to community supervision in cert. circumstances, report to Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee

Summary

The bill would require the corrections commissioner to identify inmates at high risk for severe COVID-19, release certain inmates to community supervision or home detention, and report the results to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee.

What This Bill Does

The commissioner must review the inmate population by June 1, 2020 to identify those at high risk for severe COVID-19 complications based on specific factors. By June 30, 2020, those high-risk inmates identified may be released to community supervision or home detention unless there is clear and convincing evidence they pose a substantial risk of harm. The commissioner must implement low in-person-contact supervision and use socially distanced monitoring for home detention. By July 1, 2020, the commissioner must report to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee the number of inmates identified as high risk and the number released, with demographic details, and provide information on which inmates were considered for release and which were released.

Who It Affects

• Inmates identified as high risk for severe COVID-19 complications (based on pregnancy, chronic lung disease or asthma, congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease, diabetes, weakened immune system, age 50 or older, or within 12 months of release) who may be released to community supervision or home detention.
• Inmates who are pregnant, have chronic lung disease/asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, immune suppression, are 50 years or older, or have 12 months or less left to serve—these groups are specifically considered for release.
• The Alabama Department of Corrections and its Commissioner, who must identify high-risk inmates, determine releases, monitor released individuals, and report results.
• The Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee, which will receive information about who is identified for release and who is released (including demographic breakdown).

Key Provisions

• By June 1, 2020, the Commissioner must review the inmate population and identify inmates at high risk for severe complications from COVID-19 using specified factors.
• By June 30, 2020, inmates identified as high risk may be released to community supervision or home detention unless there is clear and convincing evidence of a substantial risk of bodily harm or violence.
• The Commissioner must implement low in-person-contact supervision and monitor inmates on home detention using social distancing.
• By July 1, 2020, the Commissioner must report to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee the number of inmates identified as high risk and the number released, with demographic details, and provide information on which inmates were considered for release and which were released.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Corrections Department