By Rebecca Burylo
Montgomery Advertiser
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The quest for prison reform within the state of Alabama continues after the Department of Corrections announced this week they will be shuffling key leadership positions in response to the continued criticism of overcrowding and reported violence.
The state’s prisons have long been troubled by overcrowding, currently standing at about 186 percent capacity. The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation of the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka amid reports of intimidation and sexual violence in the facility, and reports of violence have also emerged at other prisons.
Ten prison wardens and deputy wardens will be relocated to oversee different correctional facilities within the state effective March 1.
The change follows the departure of former Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Kim Thomas in January, allowing for reform to move forward and a new leader to take his place.
Gov. Robert Bentley announced that Col. Jefferson Dunn, who currently runs the Thomas Barnes Center for Enlisted Education at Maxwell Air Force Base, would become DOC commissioner after retiring from the Air Force in March.
Acting ADOC Commissioner William Sharp said the realignment of DOC wardens is meant to provide new insight into correcting prison procedures.
“The purpose for realigning our wardens is to improve prison operations by advancing their professional development through diverse leadership opportunities,” Sharp said. “Each correctional facility is unique in day-to-day operations, so it’s important for wardens to gain the internal insights throughout the department from safety practices, security operations to inmate classification, treatment programs and support services.”
The transfers will also include the placement of leadership teams within the facilities to give wardens a broader experience in operations, policies and procedures.
A Legislative Prison Reform Task Force, headed by Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, has worked with the Council of State Governments over the last several months on developing proposals aimed at addressing the situation in the prisons.
The following warden transfers will be effective March 1.
Warden Dewayne Estes from Limestone Correctional Facility to St. Clair Correctional Facility
Warden Carter Davenport from St. Clair Correctional Facility to Easterling Correctional Facility
Warden Karla Jones from Easterling Correctional Facility to Ventress Correctional Facility
Warden Christopher Gordy from Ventress Correctional Facility to Limestone Correctional Facility
Warden Leon Forniss from Staton Correctional Facility to Elmore Correctional Facility
Warden Leeposey Daniels from Elmore Correctional Facility to Staton Correctional Facility
Deputy Warden Leon Bolling from Elmore Correctional Facility to Kilby Correctional Facility
Deputy Warden Carl Clay from Kilby Correctional Facility to Elmore Correctional Facility
Deputy Warden John Crow from Draper Correctional Facility to Staton Correctional Facility
Deputy Warden Patricia Hood from Staton Correctional Facility to Draper Correctional Facility