To: The Alabama Department of Corrections, The Alabama State Legislature, The Department of Justice, and Concerned Citizens

We, the undersigned, demand immediate action to address the catastrophic conditions within Alabama’s prison system, specifically the life-threatening overheating at Holman Prison. The inhumane treatment of inmates under the watch of Warden Terry Raybon, coupled with the shocking indifference of state officials like Senator Bobby Singleton, has created an environment of medieval savagery that endangers the lives of both inmates and the broader public.

Critical Points of Concern:

Indifference to Human Suffering by Elected Officials:

Senator Bobby Singleton’s Apathy: In a recent prison oversight committee meeting, Senator Bobby Singleton was filmed sleeping, a clear demonstration of his indifference to the suffering of incarcerated individuals in Alabama. Despite repeated reports of extreme overheating conditions at Holman Prison, Senator Singleton and his colleagues have failed to take meaningful action, reflecting a total disregard for human life.

Oversight Committee's Failure: The other members of the prison oversight committee have similarly shown a complete lack of concern for the dire conditions in Alabama’s prisons. Their negligence contributes directly to the ongoing human rights violations occurring within the state.
Deadly Overheating Conditions at Holman Prison:

Warden Terry Raybon’s Negligence: Under Warden Raybon’s leadership, Holman Prison has seen numerous preventable deaths due to extreme heat, including the near-fatal heat stroke suffered by Donard Eugene Jones, a non-violent offender. The removal of fans and proper ventilation in areas where inmates are already suffering is a clear violation of basic human rights and demonstrates a blatant disregard for the well-being of those in custody.

Statewide Crisis: The overheating situation at Holman Prison is not an isolated incident but reflects a broader, systemic issue within Alabama’s correctional facilities. The continued failure to address these life-threatening conditions is a form of cruel and unusual punishment that cannot be ignored.
Impact on Public Safety:

Broken Prison System, Broken Communities: The medieval conditions within Alabama’s prisons contribute to a cycle of violence and recidivism that makes our communities less safe. The failure of public officials like Warden Raybon and Senator Singleton to address these issues is directly linked to the worsening crime statistics in cities like Birmingham, which now suffer from some of the highest crime rates in the nation.
Neglect of Returning Citizens: Alabama’s broken prison system is not only endangering the lives of current inmates but also failing those who will eventually return to society. By subjecting non-violent offenders and returning citizens to such inhumane conditions, the state is ensuring that these individuals are more likely to re-offend, perpetuating a dangerous cycle of crime and incarceration.
Call to Action:

We demand the immediate resignation of Warden Terry Raybon and the full accountability of Senator Bobby Singleton and other members of the Alabama Prison Oversight Committee for their negligence and indifference to human life. Furthermore, we urge the Department of Justice to intervene and ensure that Alabama’s prison system is reformed to meet basic standards of human decency and public safety.

The people of Alabama deserve better. The incarcerated individuals in Alabama’s prisons, many of whom are non-violent offenders or returning citizens, deserve humane treatment. Our communities deserve to be safe from the consequences of a broken and inhumane prison system. It is time for change.