Alabama prison construction faces scrutiny following contract approval

The Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority (ACIFA) has approved a construction contract for the new Escambia Men’s Prison Facility. Governor Kay Ivey announced the 6-1 vote, stating the project is a necessary public safety investment intended to address long-standing issues within the state prison system. This facility is the second of two new men’s prisons planned under a 2021 legislative framework, the other being located in Elmore County.

However, Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter has called on Governor Ivey to halt the construction of the Escambia facility. In a letter sent to the Governor, Ledbetter requested a full investigation into what he described as a “complete and total chaotic mess” at the Kay Ivey Correctional Complex. While the contract for Escambia has been approved, the state has not yet released the specific contract amount, the name of the contractor, or a construction timetable.