Gov. calls special session in Alabama to deal with prisons

Kay Ivey is proposing a prison construction plan

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has issued the call for a special session focused on prison construction as a solution to the state’s longstanding problems in corrections.

Ivey on Thursday called for lawmakers to return to Montgomery on Monday.

The centerpiece of the session is a $1.3 billion prison construction plan  that will use $400 million from the state’s virus relief funds  to build three new prisons and renovate others.

Ivey is also asking lawmakers to vote on bills that would make sentencing and supervision changes retroactive.

Some lawmakers and advocacy groups have argued new buildings will not fix the issues.