Alabama approves $195 million in bonds for Escambia County prison

The Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority has approved the issuance of up to $195 million in bonds to fund the construction of a new 4,000-bed men’s prison in Escambia County. The facility will be located on state-owned property near the G. K. Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore.

This project is part of a prison modernization plan approved by Alabama lawmakers in 2021, intended to replace aging capacity with new facilities in Escambia and Elmore counties. Combined with $690 million in existing cash, the total expected funding for the project is approximately $885 million, which officials believe will be sufficient to complete the facility.

Construction is targeted to begin as early as October 1, with an estimated timeline of 30 months. The new prison will include various security levels, ranging from restricted and close custody to minimum-security, alongside medical, vocational, and educational support facilities.