Governor Ivey Signs Prison Borrowing Bill
SB60 allows an additional $500 million bond issue for mega prison construction
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed SB60 into law on Monday, April 7th, allowing the Alabama Corrections Institute Finance Authority to increase the amount of bonds issued to complete the prison modernization plan by $500 million.
This brings the total authorization for prison construction bonds to one billion, two hundred eighty five million dollars ($1,285,000,000).
SB60 had been sent to the Governor’s office on April 1st. At press time, there had yet to be an announcement from the Governor’s office of the bill’s signing.
SB60, introduced by State Senator Greg Albritton, had generated a small amount of controversy earlier in the session when it was introduced. Sen. Albritton’s quip that the initial estimate of $854 million to build the two planned megaprisons was “slightly off” was poorly received by some.
ALPolitics.com recently had the opportunity to speak with Sen. Albritton about his gambling bill and other issues, including the additional prison funding. He agreed that the additional funding request was worrisome, and that “my first call after this is signed will be to the Department of Corrections” to see that the additional monies will be spent wisely. He also said that he hoped the full amount of the bonds would not need to be issued.
Alabama is currently facing a federal court order—effectively a federal take-over of the state prison system—unless the prisons are completed.
During an earlier meeting on SB60 before the State Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee, Albritton said that the Elmore County facility was going to cost more than $1 billion, and that “We have the money on hand for the Elmore County facility and we have about 60% of the money for the Escambia facility.”
The Elmore County facility will house some 4,000 inmates, and is expected to open sometime in 2026. Albritton has said that he hopes the Escambia County can begin construction on the next 6 to 8 months.
The planned megaprisons will not expand Alabama’s prison beds by any significant degree. They are being built as replacement beds for older, outdated prisons.
