MONTGOMERY-The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) has reached a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to reform practices at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka. ADOC and DOJ officials are confident the agreement will bring about positive, tangible changes at Tutwiler that will benefit female inmates and serve as a model for implementing reform initiatives in women’s prisons nationwide.
“From the beginning, the ADOC has worked tirelessly to address the concerns at 
Tutwiler, and today’s agreement is a positive step forward in that process,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “The issues at Tutwiler are not new, but our focus over the last three years has been to address them, ensuring the facility is a safe place for both inmates and staff. I am proud of the reforms we have made at Tutwiler, and I know we have more to do. We will continue our efforts to make Tutwiler a better facility for those who live and work there. I appreciate the cooperative spirit between staff at ADOC and the DOJ to reach this important agreement.”
A joint and unopposed motion was filed by ADOC and DOJ today in the U.S. District Court in Montgomery to dismiss a lawsuit, also filed today by DOJ, alleging unconstitutional conditions at Tutwiler. The court’s granting of the unopposed motion will allow the parties to continue reforms improving the conditions at Tutwiler and proceed with carrying out the terms of the settlement rather than engaging in costly litigation.
The filing of the lawsuit by DOJ is a procedural requirement for asking the court to approve and, if necessary, enforce the agreement.
Colonel Jefferson S. Dunn Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections
In the settlement agreement, DOJ acknowledges the cooperation and good faith shown on the part of the Alabama Department of Corrections and its commitment to improving conditions for the inmates residing at Tutwiler.
“ADOC has made significant improvements at Tutwiler and other state prison facilities to ensure women inmates are protected from sexual misconduct,” ADOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn said.
The agreement requires ADOC to be in compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) National Standards by reforming policies and procedures designed to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual misconduct among correctional employees and inmates.
In April 2014, ADOC appointed Dr. Wendy Williams as Deputy Commissioner for
Dr. Wendy Williams as Deputy Commissioner for Women’s Facilities
Women’s Facilities to manage the reform initiative and to provide executive and operational oversight of the management of women inmates.
Since her appointment, Dr. Williams has led many changes at Tutwiler including the installation of a state-of-the-art surveillance camera system; implementation of gender-responsive and trauma-informed operational practices that reiterate ADOC’s zero tolerance policy toward all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment; and, the establishment of additional operational and training practices for protecting inmates from unreasonable risk of harm.
Additionally, ADOC continues to employ an upper-level, department-wide PREA Coordinator and has appointed a full-time PREA Compliance Manager at Tutwiler.
In March 2014, ADOC partnered with The Moss Group (TMG), a consulting group with over 25 years of experience working with correctional management issues, to aid the department in complying with PREA standards and improving conditions at Tutwiler. TMG is assisting ADOC with staffing and safety assessments, policy review and development, technical assistance and training on internal investigations and other issues affecting the facility, staff and inmate safety.
To manage the implementation of the agreement, ADOC and DOJ jointly selected an independent monitor who will provide technical assistance to ADOC and Tutwiler in addition to assessing the department’s compliance.
Warden Bobby Barrett of Tutwiler
Warden Bobby Barrett of Tutwiler and his staff have already completed many of the recommendations outlined in the agreement and many others are in process. Barrett has implemented new operational practices to increase safety within the facility, as provided in the agreement, and has established inmate councils to improve open and effective communication between inmates and correctional officials.
“ADOC will work collaboratively with DOJ until all corrective actions are taken and every policy and procedure is in place to ensure the terms of the agreement are met. The agreement is a testament to the department’s commitment to ensuring women inmates are treated humanely, and their constitutional rights are protected,” Dunn added.
A copy of the agreement can be found here.
MEDIA RELEASE/STATE OF ALABAMA GOVERNOR ROBERT BENTLEY
