SB6 Alabama 2021 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Session

First Special Session 2021

Title

Corrections Institution Finance Authority, prisons, issuance of bonds to finance additional prisons and renovation and improvement of existing prisons, new Elmore Co., Escambia Co., and Tutwiler facility, Captial Improvement and Maintenance Fund, Secs. 14-2-1, 14-2-6, 14-2-12, 14-2-13.1, 14-2-14, 14-2-16, 14-2-19, 14-2-21, 14-2-28 am'd.

Summary

SB6 would let the state issue up to 785 million in bonds to fund a phased prison modernization program, including new Elmore County and Escambia County prisons, a new Elmore County women’s prison, and renovations to several existing prisons, with new funds and governance changes.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill authorizes the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority to issue up to 785 million in bonds to finance a phased modernization plan that includes building new prisons in Elmore County (specialized men's prison) and Escambia County (men's prison), a new women’s prison in Elmore County, and renovating existing prisons in Jefferson, Limestone, Barbour, and Bullock counties. It creates two funds (Corrections Capital Improvement Fund and Corrections Facilities Maintenance Fund), redefines authority membership and reporting obligations, and requires minority-business participation plans. The plan includes phased closures of older facilities (e.g., Staton, Elmore, and later Tutwiler) as new beds come online, a lease/purchase option for Perry County facility, and performance and transparency requirements for bidding, pricing, and project oversight.

Who It Affects

• Inmates and prison staff at the new or renovated facilities (Elmore County specialized men's prison, Escambia County men's prison, and Elmore County women’s prison) who would see new or expanded health services and changes in bed space, alongside ongoing DOC operations and facility closures.
• State and local governments and contractors (including minority-owned businesses) involved with the Corrections Authority, Department of Corrections, and the counties impacted (Elmore, Escambia, Jefferson, Limestone, Barbour, Bullock, Perry) due to bond debt, land use, construction, maintenance funding, and potential economic effects from closures and repurposing.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority to issue up to 785 million in additional bonds for a phased prison modernization plan, including specific new facilities and renovations.
• Phase 1 funds Elmore County specialized men's prison (up to 3,000 male inmates) and designates space for health services; close the Staton and Elmore prisons after completion and operation of Phase 1.
• Phase 2 funds Escambia County men's prison and a new Elmore County women's prison; within a year after the women's facility is completed, Julia Tutwiler Prison shall be closed.
• Phase 3 funds renovation and improvement of existing prisons in Jefferson, Limestone, Barbour, and Bullock counties; Phase 4 requires an evaluation of bed needs based on population trends; Phase 5 provides for transferring 20 million to the Corrections Facilities Maintenance Fund for maintenance of existing prisons.
• Creates the Corrections Capital Improvement Fund and the Corrections Facilities Maintenance Fund, to be administered by the Department of Corrections with appropriations from the Legislature; bond proceeds must be used for land acquisition, construction, renovations, equipment, and debt service.
• Defines new terms (e.g., Elmore County Specialized Men's Prison, Escambia Men's Prison, Women's Prison Facility) and reorganizes authority governance, including specific legislative reporting requirements to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee.
• Imposes procurement and bidding rules for Elmore County prison projects, including design-build options, guaranteed maximum price, transparency of pricing, and potential negotiation if funding is short; requires competitive bidding where applicable.
• Section 2 allows the state to lease or purchase the Perry County facility for state use with General Fund appropriations.
• Section 3 requires bidders to disclose lobbyists and officials or relatives associated with submitting proposals.
• Section 4 allows continued use of private facilities for non-security housing, while Sections 5 and 6 provide for economic-impact studies before closures and severability; Section 7 makes provisions effective immediately.

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

Subjects

Prisons and Prisoners