Montgomery, AL – Today on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Governor Ivey made a surprise visit to ALEA Headquarters to thank these members of the law enforcement community for their commitment to keeping Alabama safe. The governor’s drop by came during an operations meeting for the upcoming Inauguration events. The governor was certain to show her appreciation for Secretary Hal Taylor, all those at ALEA and other entities who are working to make sure Inauguration is safe for all in attendance.
Governor Ivey also offered the following quote:
“Every single person in every division of law enforcement puts their lives on the line each time they go to work. I am proud to celebrate them and their service always but especially today on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Public safety always has and always will be a priority of the Ivey Administration, and under my watch, we will continue to ensure Alabama is the safest place to live, work and raise a family.”
Secretary Taylor also shared the following comment:
“Law enforcement truly has no greater friend than Governor Kay Ivey. During her administration, public safety has remained a top priority. Her unwavering commitment to support not only the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, but all law enforcement partners across the state, has boosted morale for the courageous men and women who serve. I am personally grateful for Governor Ivey’s steadfast support which has allowed this Agency to fulfill its core mission in every corner of the state and make measurable progress in the law enforcement support and public safety services we employ.” – ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor
This is also in conjunction with Governor Ivey Issuing Executive Order Reforming Correctional Incentive Time, Bolsters Public Safety. Governor Kay Ivey signed Executive Order 725 to promote public safety by establishing standards and accountability for Correctional Incentive Time.
Executive Order 725 will allow for uniform standards for loss of Good Time to be enforced and enhanced procedures to be established for recapturing escapees.
Previously recognizing today as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in an earlier proclamation, Governor Ivey shared this message during the press conference Monday.
“In the Ivey Administration, public safety is at the forefront, always has been and always will be. Under my watch, we will continue doing everything in our power to ensure Alabama is the safest state to live, work and raise a family.
“Today, I am proud to announce an important step that will increase our public safety. This morning, I signed an executive order to make improvements to policies within the Department of Corrections, allowing Commissioner Hamm and the good men and women who work for him to be able to better enforce the law within those facilities.
“There are two major components we are addressing. We are making needed reforms to Correctional Incentive Time – better known as Good Time. We also empower Commissioner Hamm and Department of Corrections officials to better manage procedures on escaped inmates.
“Our action today, very simply put, keeps violent offenders off the streets, incentivizes inmates who truly want to rehabilitate and better themselves, reinforces the concept that bad choices have consequences and keeps our public safe.”
Before hearing from the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Commissioner John Hamm, Governor Ivey concluded her portion of the press conference reaffirming public safety as a top priority of her administration as she enters her second term.
“A week from today, we will be marking the start of our next four years in office, and we will not stop pursuing our goal of being the safest state in the nation and a sanctuary for law enforcement. Here in Alabama, we will protect our citizens. We will encourage rehabilitation among our inmates. We will enforce the law. We will ensure justice for victims, and we will always have the backs of our law enforcement,” said Governor Ivey.
Her signature, initiating immediate action on correctional incentive time, ensures inmates will face clear, predictable and proportionate consequences for misbehavior. ADOC will follow uniform standards regulating the loss and restoration of good time.
Misconduct violations will be categorized as low, medium, high or severe with the associated penalties escalating in accordance with the severity of the misconduct committed.
“The Department of Corrections is tasked with enforcing the Alabama Correctional Incentive Time Act, and I am deeply committed to ensuring public safety and the safety of our law enforcement officers,” said ADOC Commissioner John Hamm. “The governor’s executive order takes important steps toward improving safety while ensuring our ability to enforce the law.”
Executive director of Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL) Janette Grantham applauded the uniform categorization of misconduct violations and the improvement of ADOC’s ability to enforce escapee procedures as major steps towards improving public safety for all.
“Our goal at VOCAL is always to stand with crime victims to make sure criminals are more accountable and our communities are more safe. We applaud Governor Ivey’s efforts to make Alabama safer by establishing clear consequences for prisoner misconduct and by improving DOC’s procedures for handling inmate escapes. Her executive order is a huge step in improving public safety not just for crime victims but for every Alabamian,” said VOCAL Executive Director Janette Grantham.
Alabama State Senator Clyde Chambliss, an outspoken voice for inmate rehabilitation through apprenticeships and educational endeavors and a participant in Monday’s press conference, shared his support for the executive order.
“The line of distinction between those in DOC custody trying to correct past mistakes and those gaming the system has been removed over the last forty years. This is not right for the victims of crime, nor their family,” said Senator Chambliss.
Noting two members of his community are victims to the unrevised, pre-executive order version of correctional incentive time, Senator Chambliss continued, “Governor Ivey once again shows that she will not back away from the hard problems in our state. She and her staff have done yeoman’s work in establishing this executive order to have clear guidelines to both reward good behavior and to hold back those that are not learning their lesson. Going forward, this clear standard will dictate what will not be tolerated, and what the penalties will be for non-compliance.”
Alabama District Attorneys Association (ADAA) President and 15th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Daryl Bailey spoke of the imperative role accountability plays within a structured society and applauded Governor Ivey’s actions toward bolstering this effort.
“Being accountable for our actions is the hallmark of an orderly and fair society. When our actions violate others’ safety and security, we expect to be held accountable for that destructive behavior. When we work in a constructive way that contributes to our community, we experience positive rewards. This idea is especially important for our institutions that house serious criminal felons. For the safety of those working in the facility, other inmates and the community at large, a transparent system of rules and consequences is imperative,” said ADAA President and 15th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Daryl Bailey. “We appreciate Governor Kay Ivey’s efforts to address this critical issue and look forward to working on this and other important issues of public safety in the future.”
Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert further vocalized his support for the Executive Order after participating in the press conference Monday morning.
“Today’s formal action and Executive Orders are necessary for ensuring an added layer of public safety by identifying a clear, yet comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at accountability. I would like to thank Governor Ivey, Commissioner Hamm and Senator Chambliss for their work on these initiatives,” said Montgomery Police Chief Albert.“With more than three-decades in law enforcement behind me, on this day, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, I would like to say thank you to everyone for their continued support of law enforcement here in the city of Montgomery, the great state of Alabama and across our nation.”
