Alabama approves $676 million contract for second prison despite legislative criticism

The Alabama state finance authority approved a construction contract worth $676,056,865 for a new men's prison in Escambia County on Thursday. The board cast a 6-1 vote to authorize the agreement, marking the official start of construction for the state's second new correctional facility.

Governor Kay Ivey, a member of the authority, rejected a request from state leaders to pause the project. In a statement issued Thursday evening, Ivey said she refuses to delay the work on the new facility. She stated, “While I cannot speak for others, I am someone who refuses to kick the can down the road.”

The decision came hours after House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter sent a letter urging the governor to halt the project. Ledbetter, a Republican from Rainsville, asked for a full investigation into the first prison construction effort. His letter argued that the current administration would leave the next governor to resolve the issues. Ivey’s statement did not name Ledbetter specifically.

Ivey defended the administration's long-term strategy for the state's prison system. She noted that the challenges in the correctional system had been neglected for decades before her term began in April 2017. The governor emphasized that the state is executing a framework established by the Legislature in 2021 for two new facilities in Elmore and Escambia counties.

State Representative Rex Reynolds, a Republican from Huntsville, cast the only vote against the contract. Reynolds serves as chairman of the House General Fund budget committee. He explained that he questioned the state's ability to manage two large projects simultaneously. Reynolds said he received a briefing the day before the vote and the final change orders just one hour before the vote.

The Alabama Department of Corrections listed the total budget for the Escambia project at $846,443,827. Approved change orders reduced the first phase of the facility from 2,056 beds to 1,618. The authority sold $190,190,000 in bonds for this project earlier in October.

State Senator Greg Albritton, a Republican from Atmore, voted in favor of the contract. The Escambia site is located in his district near the Fountain Correctional Facility. Albritton expressed concern about the first project but said the state has an obligation to move forward with the second. He stated, “There are lots of things that have me concerned with this too, but we’ve got to move forward with this.”

Ledbetter’s letter estimated the total cost of both prisons at well over $2 billion, compared to the $1.3 billion the Legislature authorized in 2021. The Department of Corrections announced on October 16 that the Elmore facility is 85% complete. The state is withholding $14.2 million from contractor Caddell Construction after the company missed its final deadline. The Governor’s Office has not yet responded to the Speaker's request for an investigation.