On Wednesday, January 29, 2020, The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) launched its strategic plan to close and decommission the main facility at William C. Holman Correctional Facility (Holman). This plan was initiated in August 2018 and accelerated by ADOC’s executive leadership upon learning of the daily interventions required to maintain deteriorating underground utility systems, which provide essential power, water, and sewer services, in order to keep the main facility operational.
Phase 1 of this operation, which included transferring 21 death row inmates from Donaldson Correctional Facility to Holman, was safely and successfully completed in the early morning hours of January 29. Death row inmates are among the highest profile individuals in the custody of the ADOC, and therefore most vulnerable during transport. Given the high degree of sensitivity and security risks related to relocating these inmates, no third parties or outside agencies were provided advance notification. The ADOC adheres to strict security protocols regarding any inmate movement, which are based on national standards and followed by every correctional department in the United States. These protocols are designed to prioritize inmate, correctional staff, and public safety above all else.
Phase 2 of the decommissioning process includes the careful and paced reduction of Holman’s general and restrictive housing inmate populations. After completing Phase 1 and prior to initiating Phase 2 of this operation, ADOC staff, members of the media, relevant third parties and outside agencies including the Department of Justice, members of the Alabama Legislature, and other key stakeholders were informed of the Department’s decision to proceed on its existing plans. The exact details and timing of Phase 2 transfers will not be made public in advance due to security and safety reasons.
As of 12 p.m. on Monday, February 3, Phase 2 of the Holman decommissioning process is still in an early stage, with less than 5% of inmates relocated. The process is highly complex, and the Department is working to move inmates at other facilities to accommodate high-security transfers out of Holman. In addition to the previously stated safety and security concerns, ADOC is focused on minimizing disruption and ensuring appropriate staffing and security modifications at receiving facilities. It is important to note that ADOC will continuously analyze inmate populations, needs of receiving facilities, and mobilization of resources to ensure continued access to health, educational, and rehabilitative services and programs.
The current conditions within the Holman Correctional Facility tunnel now present increased safety concerns and a degree of risk to anyone who enters the tunnel; however, the utility systems located within the tunnel must remain operational until the decommissioning process is complete. To facilitate safe entry into the tunnel for personnel, the ADOC will shut off power to the main facility for short periods of time while maintenance is being performed. All conditions within the tunnel will be carefully evaluated prior to entry, and medical personnel will be on standby. ADOC will work to schedule these necessary maintenance outages strategically in order to minimize disruption for inmates and staff. The first scheduled maintenance outage occurred on Monday, February 3, safely and without incident.
The decommissioning process will continue at a safe rate over the coming weeks. The process by which inmates will be transferred out of Holman during Phase 2 is routine, and new housing assignments for transferred inmates will be updated in real time on the ADOC’s website. Families and loved ones of impacted individuals can access inmate housing assignment information at any time here: Inmate Search.