Sarah Ford | September 9, 2014

SPLC Urges Federal Court to Address Razors in Alabama Prisons

The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) urged a federal court today to block an Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) practice that allows male prisoners virtually unlimited access to razor blades in state prisons – including prisoners with a history of mental illness and suicide attempts.

The groups filed a motion for preliminary injunction to stop this practice that puts the lives of prisoners at risk, violating their constitutional rights. It describes how this routine continued even after a prisoner killed himself with a razor in 2011. It also notes that this procedure fails to track the number of blades prisoners possess, allowing razors to be found throughout ADOC prisons. 

“The Alabama Department of Corrections is endangering its prisoners with this policy,” said Maria Morris, managing attorney for the SPLC’s Montgomery legal office. “It should be obvious that you don’t freely hand out razors to prisoners suffering from suicidal thoughts and mental health crises. This policy is irresponsible and a danger to anyone within the walls of these prisons.”

>> Continue Reading

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Explore More Articles

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

November 5, 2024

President Ronald Reagan designated November as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in 1983 when there were less than two million people suffering from the disease. Since…

Read Article

National Scholarship Month/National Education Month

November 5, 2024

National Scholarship Month/National Education Month aims to build awareness of scholarships and opportunities in higher education. Established in 1998, it recognizes communities, organizations, and businesses within the…

Read Article

National Veterans and Military Families Month

November 5, 2024

Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month to thank service members and their families for all their hard work and…

Read Article

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.

newsletter-mock