Research & Data
What the state's own numbers say
Built on ADOC's Monthly Report (March 2026), FY2025 Annual Report, and the Q1 FY2026 Quarterly Report — the most current statistical releases published by the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Physically in ADOC facilities, March 2026 (+409 vs. Mar 2025)
Total under ADOC authority, March 2026 (+1,171 vs. Mar 2025)
Design capacity is 12,115 beds — 10,099 more people than built for
455 of 2,214 hearings granted, FY2026 YTD — vs. an 87% guideline recommendation rate
YTD; $5.95M returned to ADOC for room and board
+272 net officer gain in FY2025 (663 hired, 391 departures)
Admission Types — FY2026 YTD
4,717 total admissions
Release Types — FY2026 YTD
4,598 total releases
Critical Findings, Concerns & Positives
Resident conduct matters. So does institutional performance — staffing, canceled services, and systemic outcomes.
Catastrophic Overcrowding — System at 175% Capacity
The entire system holds 10,099 more people than it was built for. Some work centers run at 500–1,200% capacity (North Alabama WC: 443 people in 37 beds; Kilby Correctional: 1,372 in 440 beds). Population has risen every month for a year.
Admissions Exceed Releases — Population Keeps Growing
In the first six months of FY2026, 4,717 people were admitted versus 4,598 released — a net deficit of 119. Probation revocations (23.1% of admissions) and parole re-admissions (9.9%) together account for a third of all new entries.
Violence Concentrated in the Most Overcrowded Facilities
Close and medium security — the most overcrowded levels — account for 7,275 major disciplinary actions and 432 physical assaults in six months. Medium security recorded more inmate-on-inmate assaults (247) than close security (185).
Parole Grant Rate Falls Far Short of Board Guidelines
Only 455 of 2,214 parole hearings — 21% — resulted in a grant in six months, even though the Board's own guidelines recommend granting in 87% of cases. Meanwhile, 466 people were re-admitted for parole violations — more than were released on parole.
Rehabilitation Reaches a Fraction of the Population
With 21,214 people physically in ADOC facilities, drug treatment serves only 521 (2.5%), life skills programs serve 210 (1%), and GED/education reaches 2,227 (10.5%). Community corrections and work release together cover under 25%.
58 Death Investigations Opened in Q1 FY2026 Alone
In three months (Oct–Dec 2025), 58 death investigations were opened. Of 60 closed cases: 30 natural causes, 5 overdoses, 2 homicides, 1 suicide, and 20 pending — suggesting ongoing contraband access.
Work Release Generating Significant Revenue
1,028 employed residents earned $14.9M in gross wages YTD, returning $5.95M to ADOC while contributing $512K in victim restitution and $127K in child support. On pace for roughly $30M annually.
Security Staffing Improved in FY2025
ADOC added a net 272 security officers in FY2025 (663 hired, 391 departures), reaching 2,372 total security staff — meaningful progress on a historically severe challenge.
Programs & Completions (FY2021 baseline)
ADOC's own reporting shows programming exists but remains vastly underscaled: 481 re-entry programs completed, 802 drug-treatment completions, 18 GEDs earned, and 712 vocational certificates in a single year against a population exceeding 20,000. From 2021 to 2024, Career and Technical Education completions ranged from 532 to 1,231 — still under 7% of the incarcerated population. FY2025 saw 1,310 re-entry completions and 43,191 religious program attendances, with community corrections serving 4,338 people outside traditional confinement, the largest alternative-supervision population in the system.
Sources: ADOC Monthly Report (March 2026) · FY2025 Annual Report · Q1 FY2026 Quarterly Report · ADOC Statistical Reports. Parole grant rate reflects Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles hearing outcomes, not total releases. FY2026 ADOC General Fund appropriation confirmed in the Legislature’s FY2026 Budget Fact Book. Compiled independently for the ALPRP data dashboard.
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