Montgomery buzzed with activity these last four months as our legislators tackled issues impacting Alabamians every day. They’re heading home with some major wins – policies that’ll boost quality of life and shape our communities for years. Plus, they delivered some serious accomplishments to keep Alabama thriving! It's a tough job, juggling competing interests and complex problems against the clock. But this legislative session? A resounding success! Many of the bills passed will help build a stronger, safer Alabama. Lawmakers hit the ground running, addressing the surge in violent crime. The result? An actionable, cross-agency plan to combat crime and support our incredible law enforcement officers through partnerships at every level. We're proud the Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles is part of this initiative! Our APOSTC-certified officers work tirelessly to keep Alabama safe, including serving on the state’s metro crime suppression unit (MACS). This unit brought state and local law enforcement together in Montgomery. Thanks to the hard work of Speaker Ledbetter, Senate President Pro Tem Gudger, Chairman Reynolds, and Governor Ivey, it's now got the funding to expand statewide! ALEA reports the MACS unit "arrested 266 individuals on various charges, recovered 51 stolen vehicles, seized 195 firearms, and seized 103 machine gun conversion devices." June marks the one-year anniversary of this joint operation, and we’re expecting even more positive news! Alabama’s leaders are also entrusting Bureau officers to address violent youth offenders. With our advanced technology, we can monitor those who would be charged with Class A or B felonies if adults. Representative Travis Hendrix helped pass a bill allowing the Bureau to partner with other agencies to electronically monitor dangerous juvenile offenders awaiting trial. It’s another tool to keep our communities safe. Senator Givhan and Judge Hill sponsored legislation to streamline data sharing with law enforcement. Now, the Bureau can share real-time GPS data with other agencies during active investigations. No more delays when every second counts! Being tough on crime means being smart about it. At the Bureau, we focus on advanced supervision and strategies to reduce recidivism. Job training and career placement are key to keeping formerly incarcerated Alabamians from returning to prison. Representative Parker Moore and Senator Rodger Smitherman led a bipartisan occupational licensing reform effort this session. Businesses now have full discretion over their decision to hire these individuals, and those that do will be released from legal liability for their decision. It's a win-win for Alabama's job creators and offers opportunities to those willing and ready to work. The legislature showed its sincere support for our law enforcement officers this session. Representative Jerry Starnes and Senator Clyde Chambliss sponsored a bill to codify ABPP officers as state law enforcement - a classification they’ve always been with authority and powers they’ve always had.. It's a huge morale boost for our officers! On behalf of the entire Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles, thank you to our state lawmakers for your hard work! We're committed to working with partners to provide training, education, and opportunities that help formerly incarcerated Alabamians succeed. We believe in giving people a second chance, leading to better outcomes and a safer Alabama. Cam Ward
Director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and ParolesAlabama's Lawmakers: A Win for Public Safety!
Tackling Crime Head-On
Protecting Our Communities
Smart on Crime, Too
Backing the Blue
