Mr. Haggins served a decade in prison for a $29 robbery and has paid more than $15,000 in parole supervision fees since his release in 1991. By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher MONTGOMERY, AL — Bennie Haggins sat in a waiting area before his pardon hearing was set to begin on Wednesday in Montgomery and talked […] The post After 33 years on parole, Bennie Haggins, 71, is granted a pardon appeared first on Alabama Appleseed.| Alabama Appleseed
A resource for Alabamians to learn about the human rights crisis in Alabama state prisons, share their knowledge with others, and work for change Since 2019, when the United States Department of Justice issued a 56-page report calling out unconstitutional violence, death, and corruption across the entire Alabama prison system for men, Alabama Appleseed has […] The post Learn, Connect, Advocate — Appleseed’s Prison Reform Toolbox appeared first on Alabama Appleseed.| Alabama Appleseed
Plans for Appleseed’s joyous annual fundraiser are well underway. There is still time to take advantage of the October Special for tickets. Today through October 10th tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for students. This year’s celebration centers around creating community, hope, and joy through music, remembering that sustainable advocacy should be infused with […] The post Celebrate Justice: Live at Woodlawn Theatre, Thursday, November 6, 2025 appeared first on Alabama Appleseed.| Alabama Appleseed
By Carla Crowder, Appleseed Executive Director FLORENCE Ala., — When I lived in Florence in the 1980s and 1990s, I was pretty average, at best. There was one thing I did well. I shot free throws, and for three years in a row I represented the City of Florence in the national finals of the […] The post Appleseed’s Executive Director is inducted into Florence Walk of Honor appeared first on Alabama Appleseed.| Alabama Appleseed
By Anahita Maleknia I’m thrilled to join Alabama Appleseed as an intern during my final semester at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where I study Political Science with a minor in Criminal Justice. Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, I am the daughter of Iranian immigrants who came to the United States before the […] The post Welcome Appleseed intern and UAB Senior Anahita Maleknia appeared first on Alabama Appleseed.| Alabama Appleseed
My name is Nicholas Thoma and I’m thrilled to be working with Alabama Appleseed this fall as a legal extern. I’m originally from Pennsylvania but have called Alabama home for the last five years since I came to the University of Alabama for my undergraduate studies. I am currently a 2L at the University of […] The post Appleseed welcomes UA legal extern Nicholas Thoma appeared first on Alabama Appleseed.| Alabama Appleseed
By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher The family of a 25-year-old man with just over a year left to serve on nonviolent property crimes believes he may have died from a severe asthma attack alone in a segregation cell at St. Clair prison, but because the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) no longer provides full autopsies for […] The post August at St. Clair prison: a supervisor arrested on drug trafficking charges, reports of guns, two suspected drug overdose deaths, and now a y...| Alabama Appleseed
As legislative budget hearings take place this week in Montgomery, it’s a good time to review the recent costs to Alabama taxpayers for our prison system, which consumes 25% of the state’s General Fund budget. An Appleseed analysis has found that state prison expenses over five years are $5 billion. That’s right, if you include […] The post Alabama Department of Corrections: $5 billion in spending in five years appeared first on Alabama Appleseed.| Alabama Appleseed
By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher Alabama’s prison system is in crisis. Federal courts have said so. Back-to-back years of record prison deaths show it. The people who live and work inside those facilities feel it every day. Violence, understaffing, and overcrowded dorms are pushing the system past a breaking point, and while new prison construction […] The post Appleseed’s latest report shows that ‘Safer prisons are within reach.’ appeared first on Alabama Appleseed.| Alabama Appleseed
By MaKenzie Smith My name is Makenzie Smith, and I am excited to be spending this summer as a policy intern with Alabama Appleseed and Alabama Arise. I’m from Moundville, Alabama, and have grown up in the Tuscaloosa County area. I recently graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Political Science and […] The post Appleseed Welcomes Intern MaKenzie Smith appeared first on Alabama Appleseed.| Alabama Appleseed