Alabama Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee

Summary

Established by Act 2021-323 (§§29-2-20, 29-2-20.1), this eight-member permanent legislative committee examines all aspects of Alabama Department of Corrections operations. Six members are appointed by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House (three each); two serve ex officio. The committee meets quarterly to review ADOC reports and must report findings to the Legislature no later than the 15th legislative day of each regular session. At least one annual meeting includes public testimony. The committee has no subpoena power, no independent investigative authority, and no discipline or use-of-force review function — it is a reporting and oversight body that relies on ADOC-provided information. SB322 (2024) added a staff coordinator position within the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to support the committee's work.