For the last few years, Alabama’s jails and prisons have been operating without a regular set of outside eyes checking the plumbing or the kitchens. That might be about to change.
A state House committee just cleared a bill that would let the Alabama Department of Public Health back into these facilities. It’s a move to bring back health inspections that were standard practice until just a couple of years ago.
A missing safety net
It’s easy to forget that jails and prisons are massive industrial buildings. They have kitchens that feed thousands and plumbing systems that run 24/7. When those systems fail, things get dangerous fast. State health inspectors used to be the ones who caught those problems before they turned into headlines.
But around 2021, those regular inspections stopped. The state’s public health agency essentially stepped back, leaving a gap in oversight. Representative Chris England, who is sponsoring the bill, says it’s time to fill that hole.
The new legislation doesn’t just suggest inspections; it sets up a framework to make sure they actually happen. It’s about basic accountability for buildings the state is responsible for maintaining.
Why the oversight matters
Alabama’s prison system is already facing intense pressure from the federal government over conditions and safety. Adding a health inspector to the mix isn’t just about finding faults—it’s about basic human standards. Here is what these inspectors typically look for:
- Proper food storage and safe kitchen temperatures
- Functioning sewage and water systems
- Cleanliness in common areas to prevent the spread of disease
- Ventilation that actually works in the Alabama heat
But this isn’t just about the people serving time. These facilities are also workplaces for thousands of correctional officers and staff. When a prison is unsanitary or falling apart, everyone inside is at risk.
The bill still has a few hurdles to clear before it becomes law. It needs to pass the full House and make its way through the Senate. But after years of silence on the inspection front, this move suggests that state leaders are finally willing to take a look at what’s happening behind the razor wire.