By C1 Staff
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Two Ala. correctional facilities are on lockdown after inmates refused to work their assigned jobs on Monday.
Alabama Department of Corrections spokesperson Bob Horton told WSFA that inmates at the Atmore and Elmore Correctional Facilities are refusing to work.
Horton said the inmates failed to report to their assigned jobs on Sunday in a refusal to help correction staff prepare breakfast.
“The inmates have not given any demands, or a reason for refusing to work. As a precaution, the correctional facilities are on lockdown with limited inmate movement while ADOC investigates the situation,” Horton told WIAT.
However, inmates told WHNT that they are upset with the food quality and have been planning the protest for some time.
According to an inmate at the Elmore facility that spoke with AL.com, the protest is being led by the Free Alabama Movement. The inmate said that, “This isn’t just an isolated issue, it’s statewide. Before long each prison will participate. Trust me, it’s catching like wildfire.”
The group’s Facebook page published its grievances, demands and information about the protest.
In a recent post, the group wrote: “SIT DOWN and instead of saving and making the ADOC money, force them to pay to operate their Prisons. This will greatly diminish their incentives to Warehouse thousands of us for decades with no true efforts at Rehabilitation.”
“Correctional staff are responding by delivering the basic services to all inmates at both facilities. The facilities are secure, inmates are receiving their daily meals, and their healthcare needs are being met,” Horton said.
At this time, no other correctional facilities are on lockdown.