The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) has settled over 90 lawsuits since 2020, many of which involve allegations of excessive force by correctional officers, according to a recent investigation.
In total, the department has addressed 124 cases in the last five years, primarily tied to claims that inmates experienced serious injuries due to the actions of correctional staff. These incidents included everything from broken bones to head injuries and even permanent disabilities, as outlined in legal documents and financial records reviewed by the news source.
ADOC’s legal costs have surged during this timeframe, with expenditures surpassing $17 million since 2020 for legal defenses and settlements with individual employees. Overall, legal expenses have exceeded $57 million, which encompasses larger class-action lawsuits, including one ongoing case by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Some notable incidents documented include:
A 2018 event at the Ventress Correctional Facility where an officer reportedly assaulted a handcuffed inmate, causing severe jaw injuries. The lawsuit was settled for $90,000, and the responsible officers were terminated.
A 2019 complaint from the Limestone Correctional Facility concerning an inmate who suffered traumatic brain damage and permanent hearing loss after allegedly being beaten by several officers. The case was resolved for $9,000 following his release and subsequent death.
Another lawsuit from a 2018 incident at Staton Correctional Facility involved an inmate who was airlifted to the hospital due to critical injuries, including multiple fractures. This case ended with a $55,000 settlement.
The settlements were funded through the Alabama General Liability Trust Fund, covering both legal defenses and compensation to individual state workers. Broader lawsuits against state agencies are funded by the state general fund.
The report also indicated that many complaints originate from handwritten submissions by inmates, who often lack other avenues to report suspected abuses. The number of claims has sharply increased, with ADOC seeing liability claims rise from 33 in 2020 to 235 in 2023.
At the same time, legal expenses are escalating as well. Between 2020 and 2024, private attorneys hired to represent ADOC employees received nearly $13 million. The median settlement for excessive force claims was around $8,000.
Current data comparing Alabama with other states regarding similar case claims remains unavailable.
