Activists Rally to End Alabama’s Work Release Program

 By Charles Hawes, Capital News

SPRINGVILLE, Ala. — The dry Alabama heat hung in the air as activists and organizers from across the Southeast gathered down the road from St. Clair Correctional Facility in Springville, Ala., on May 18. For some, it was their first time, but for others in organizations such as the Tennessee Student Solidarity Network, it was one of many rallies they had attended outside this Alabama prison. The reason for this rally was similar to the many that had preceded it: to demand an end to the state’s work release program, which many unions are calling modern-day slavery.

    In December 2023, ten former and current inmates filed a lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) and several public officials including Gov. Kay Ivey. The convicts do not stand alone in their lawsuit, with labor unions such as the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and the Union of Southern Service Workers (USSW) signing onto the suit as well. While unions and student organizations have aggressively organized on the outside to demand an end to this forced labor scheme, organizers on the inside of the concrete walls and barbed wire have worked even harder, mainly organizing behind the Free Alabama Movement (FAM). First organized out of St. Clair in 2013 by leaders such as Melvin Ray, FAM has led several strikes and work stoppages—not only in Alabama but across the entire United States.

    In 2014, FAM ( Free Alabama Movement ) led two statewide strikes, both calling for an end to dangerous conditions in Alabama prisons, over sentencing and ending the state’s work release program. By 2016, the strength and reach of FAM had grown, and that year on Sept. 9 the prison-based organization led a nationwide work stoppage that saw 24,000 inmates in 12 states not show up for work that day. It was the largest prison strike in the history of the United States, but eight years later, deplorable conditions continue to this day across the Deep South state. We are fighting against a system that dehumanizes us,” said an anonymous spokesperson for FAM. “The work release program is just another form of exploitation, where inmates are forced to labor under the threat of punishment and without fair compensation. The work release program in Alabama has long been criticized by activists and human rights organizations for its harsh conditions and meager pay. Inmates are required to work in various industries, often for minimal wages, while a significant portion of their earnings is taken by the state to cover "room and board expenses. For many, the conditions inside Alabama prisons are intolerable. Overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and violence are common issues reported by inmates and their families. The Free Alabama Movement has been at the forefront of highlighting these issues, using strikes and work stoppages as their primary tools of protest. We are not just fighting for ourselves,” continued the FAM spokesperson. “We are fighting for all those who come after us, for a system that treats people with dignity and respect.” The rally in Springville saw a diverse group of supporters, including students, labor union members, and family members of inmates. They held signs reading "End Modern-Day Slavery" and "Dignity for Inmates." The atmosphere was one of solidarity and determination, with speakers calling for an end to the work release program and broader prison reforms. Despite the challenges, the movement to end the work release program in Alabama is gaining momentum. The lawsuit filed in December 2023 represents a significant step in the legal battle against the state’s prison system. With the backing of major labor unions and continuous public pressure, organizers hope that change is on the horizon. As the rally concluded, participants vowed to continue their fight, both inside and outside the prison walls. The message was clear: the struggle for justice and human rights in Alabama’s prisons is far from over, and the Free Alabama Movement remains a powerful force in the ongoing battle for reform.