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Downloaded from
YTS.MX
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Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.MX
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[squeaking]
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[volunteer]
Mic check, one, two, three.
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One, two, three.
Mic check, one, two, three.
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[drum beat playing]
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[indistinct chatter]
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Well, today, they, um,
they're here doing a revival...
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and everybody's just joyful.
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[woman singing indistinctly]
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[man] We're gonna have fun
and food and everything.
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Everything's gonna be a good day
at Easterling Prison.
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[pleasant music playing]
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It's a day that you really
don't get in prison...
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[woman talking indistinctly]
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[man] ...because there's not
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a lot of hope
inside an institution.
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And it has to be brought in.
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[laughing]
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[chaplain] I want to pray
for Alabama.
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- I want to pray for our system.
- [man] Yeah.
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[men] Amen.
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- [man] Yes, sir.
- Amen.
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And we walked through
them hoods, man.
25
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And we made a difference.
26
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- I am my brother's keeper.
- [men] I am my brother's keeper.
27
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- I am my brother's keeper.
- [men] I am my brother's keeper.
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[man]
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[producer] Why do you say that?
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Because they don't show you
the meat that we get.
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It's not nothing like this.
32
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[volunteer speaking
indistinctly]
33
00:02:07,710 --> 00:02:10,171
They should let y'all go
inside the dorms.
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You think it's hot out here?
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Right now just imagine
sleeping in a tin building
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with 120-some other people.
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[man 2]
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Y'all see him?
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[dramatic music playing]
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[man 3]
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[man 1]
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[man 2]
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00:03:08,438 --> 00:03:10,815
[man 3]
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00:03:14,652 --> 00:03:15,945
[man 4]
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[man 5]
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[producer]
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[man 5]
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[indistinct radio chatter]
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[man]
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[prison official]
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[producer]
What are we finished with?
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[prison official]
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[producer] Why?
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[tense music playing]
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[correctional officer]
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[prison official]
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[dramatic music plays]
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[cicadas chirping]
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[phone line ringing]
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[ringing continues]
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[answers phone]
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[producer] Raoul?
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- [producer] Hey.
- Hey, how are you?
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[producer] I'm good.
How are you?
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I'm okay.
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[producer] Do you mind
if I record our conversation?
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[dramatic music plays]
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[inmate yelling indistinctly]
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[producer] Good.
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Ah.
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[producer]
Thanks for talking with us.
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[tense music playing]
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[man]
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[Robert Earl]
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[man]
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[Robert Earl]
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[man]
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And the atrocities
and the corruption.
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[man]
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[indistinct yelling]
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00:08:19,749 --> 00:08:22,084
[Robert Earl] When you hear
"Department of Corrections,"
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you think about an institution
where people
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are going to classes,
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people are getting treatment,
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people are doing things
towards correction.
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But that's nothing close
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to what's going on behind
the walls of the ADOC.
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[man]
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[Robert Earl]
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[man]
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We're at
a humanitarian crisis level.
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[dramatic music playing]
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[man]
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[Melvin] Okay.
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00:09:33,990 --> 00:09:36,659
- [producer] Melvin?
- [Melvin] Can you hear me?
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00:09:37,201 --> 00:09:39,996
- [producer] Yeah.
- [prisoners yelling]
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00:09:45,543 --> 00:09:46,711
Hold on a minute.
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00:09:46,836 --> 00:09:48,796
- Police in here.
- [producer] Oh. Okay.
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[indistinct yelling]
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[Melvin]
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[producer] Would a regular
phone call be better?
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No, because it does not allow us
to just be ourselves.
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00:10:08,733 --> 00:10:11,235
You know,
when we present our stories,
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00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:14,822
we want to present our
whole self, not just our voice.
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00:10:14,905 --> 00:10:18,117
[light music plays]
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00:10:19,952 --> 00:10:23,164
We're in these walled-off
secret societies.
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These are state institutions.
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00:10:30,588 --> 00:10:34,008
But it's one of the only
state institutions
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that the public or the media
has no access to.
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00:10:39,388 --> 00:10:42,558
How can a journalist
go into a war zone,
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00:10:42,642 --> 00:10:46,312
but can't go into a prison
in the United States of America?
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00:10:46,395 --> 00:10:49,607
[tense music playing]
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00:10:55,571 --> 00:10:57,239
Like, I can witness a murder--
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00:10:57,323 --> 00:10:59,492
we could be all sitting here
and witness a murder--
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00:10:59,575 --> 00:11:02,578
and the media can't even come
on the state property.
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00:11:03,663 --> 00:11:06,123
[man]
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[alarm blaring]
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[Melvin]
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...and if we don't have
these cell phones,
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we don't have a way
to capture these incidents.
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[siren blaring]
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00:11:32,983 --> 00:11:34,860
[Robert Earl] The public
is already conditioned
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00:11:34,944 --> 00:11:37,655
not to believe a person
who is incarcerated.
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I'm in prison.
I'm supposed to lie.
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I'm supposed to make up excuses.
I'm supposed to exaggerate.
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That's why the administration
hate the recording.
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00:11:51,627 --> 00:11:53,212
[Melvin]
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00:12:03,806 --> 00:12:05,975
[foreboding music playing]
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00:12:07,184 --> 00:12:10,229
Contraband continues
to be a deadly problem
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00:12:10,312 --> 00:12:12,565
that plagues Alabama's prisons.
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00:12:12,648 --> 00:12:14,734
We're talking
about cell phones.
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00:12:15,651 --> 00:12:17,820
[Robert Earl]
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00:12:17,903 --> 00:12:21,407
...instead of the incident that
was recorded with the phone.
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00:12:22,658 --> 00:12:24,827
It is a fight every day.
135
00:12:24,910 --> 00:12:27,496
And we continue
to struggle with it.
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00:12:27,580 --> 00:12:30,541
But there's a lot of work still
to be done to defeat cell phones
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00:12:30,666 --> 00:12:31,876
inside the prison system.
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00:12:33,502 --> 00:12:35,671
[Robert Earl]
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00:12:44,680 --> 00:12:46,348
[birds twittering]
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00:13:08,579 --> 00:13:11,415
The reality is, Alabama doesn't
have an incarceration problem.
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00:13:11,540 --> 00:13:13,834
We have a criminal
and a crime problem.
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[siren blaring]
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00:13:15,836 --> 00:13:18,672
[Melvin] It's a continuous cycle
of violence,
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00:13:18,756 --> 00:13:20,800
a lack of accountability.
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00:13:20,883 --> 00:13:23,761
And without us being able
to inform society
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00:13:23,886 --> 00:13:25,513
about what's happening,
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00:13:25,596 --> 00:13:27,932
these incidents
are not even reported.
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00:13:33,395 --> 00:13:35,856
[cicadas chirping]
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00:13:40,069 --> 00:13:41,487
[dings]
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00:13:53,916 --> 00:13:57,127
[suspenseful music playing]
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00:14:03,300 --> 00:14:05,344
[producer 1] We're looking
for Steven Davis.
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00:14:05,928 --> 00:14:07,680
We think he's in the ICU.
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[clerk]
Go up to the ninth floor.
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00:14:11,767 --> 00:14:13,018
[elevator rings]
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00:14:27,950 --> 00:14:29,910
[tense music plays]
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00:14:29,994 --> 00:14:31,078
[producer 2 whispers]
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00:14:31,161 --> 00:14:32,162
[producer 1]
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00:14:32,288 --> 00:14:33,289
[producer 2]
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00:14:33,956 --> 00:14:35,374
[producer 1]
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00:14:35,457 --> 00:14:36,834
[producer 2]
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00:14:37,626 --> 00:14:38,961
[nurse] If you could...
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00:14:39,044 --> 00:14:40,838
If you could go out
to the wait room,
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00:14:40,963 --> 00:14:42,506
or I can help you by calling,
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00:14:42,631 --> 00:14:45,301
but I'd prefer you not stand
in front of the room.
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00:14:45,384 --> 00:14:47,261
- [producer 2] Okay, sure.
- [nurse] Thanks.
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00:14:48,304 --> 00:14:50,055
[producer 2]
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00:14:56,562 --> 00:14:59,857
- [ambient traffic noises]
- [birds twittering]
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00:15:03,319 --> 00:15:06,447
[wind chimes gently tinkling]
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00:15:07,072 --> 00:15:09,909
[man on TV speaking
indistinctly]
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00:15:27,009 --> 00:15:28,552
[Sandy's friend] I know.
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00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:30,804
We're here for you.
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00:15:30,888 --> 00:15:34,266
- [sobs]
- Don't...
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00:15:34,350 --> 00:15:36,810
He didn't deserve this.
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00:15:36,894 --> 00:15:39,563
[Sandy sobs and sniffles]
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00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:43,150
[Sandy's friend] You've got
to take care of yourself.
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You're gonna wind up
in the hospital.
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00:15:47,780 --> 00:15:50,324
[Sandy] He's telling me, "Mama,
I'm gonna get out of here.
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00:15:50,407 --> 00:15:52,409
I'm going to get out.
I'm going to get out."
179
00:15:52,534 --> 00:15:54,328
Hey, Stevie.
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00:16:12,805 --> 00:16:14,598
Well, when I got the phone call,
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00:16:14,723 --> 00:16:18,102
I didn't know
what really happened.
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00:16:18,936 --> 00:16:21,188
And the first thing
that went through my mind is,
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00:16:21,271 --> 00:16:24,191
Steven done got stabbed,
he done got beat up.
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00:16:26,068 --> 00:16:27,611
That's the only two things
it really can be.
185
00:16:27,736 --> 00:16:30,155
I mean, you're in jail.
You're in prison.
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00:16:30,239 --> 00:16:31,573
You walk back in the ICU,
187
00:16:31,657 --> 00:16:34,660
and they had him in
the very, very back of the ICU,
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00:16:35,577 --> 00:16:39,790
in a different part
that had a room
189
00:16:39,915 --> 00:16:41,875
so the security guards could,
you know, could monitor
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00:16:41,959 --> 00:16:43,502
who come in, come out.
191
00:16:44,670 --> 00:16:48,507
[Sandy] That one guard asked me,
"Do you know what happened?"
192
00:16:48,590 --> 00:16:51,301
I said no.
I said, "Do you know anything?"
193
00:16:51,427 --> 00:16:54,096
"Nope." He knew something.
194
00:16:54,179 --> 00:16:56,765
I could tell, he was a liar.
He knew something.
195
00:16:58,517 --> 00:17:00,019
People could come in,
196
00:17:00,102 --> 00:17:01,603
but only two at a time,
and we were not
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00:17:01,687 --> 00:17:04,356
to bring any phones
or anything like that.
198
00:17:06,650 --> 00:17:08,610
[Sandy] Oh yeah.
When we seen him,
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00:17:08,694 --> 00:17:10,404
we knew what they were hiding.
200
00:17:11,030 --> 00:17:12,114
Him.
201
00:17:12,990 --> 00:17:17,703
They didn't want a picture
of him to be out there.
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00:17:19,329 --> 00:17:21,123
[producer]
203
00:17:22,624 --> 00:17:25,377
Because I didn't know
if we'd get the body or not.
204
00:17:25,461 --> 00:17:27,546
You're talking
about me taking a photo in ICU
205
00:17:27,629 --> 00:17:29,840
when you wasn't supposed to have
your phones in there?
206
00:17:29,965 --> 00:17:32,676
But I took it in there when
the cops were out back sleeping?
207
00:17:32,801 --> 00:17:34,762
- [laughs]
- [producer] Mm-hmm.
208
00:17:34,845 --> 00:17:36,805
Because I didn't know
if we'd get the body back.
209
00:17:36,889 --> 00:17:40,517
I didn't know how the rules
and stuff was, you know, with...
210
00:17:40,642 --> 00:17:43,479
'Cause Steven was the state's
responsibility. Incarcerated.
211
00:17:43,562 --> 00:17:46,607
I didn't know if we'd get the
body and have a proper funeral.
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00:17:46,690 --> 00:17:49,234
So I wanted to take a photo
for evidence.
213
00:17:49,318 --> 00:17:51,570
- [objects clattering]
- [somber music playing]
214
00:17:51,653 --> 00:17:52,696
[grunts]
215
00:17:53,989 --> 00:17:56,158
[Sandy] Every last breath,
I'll never get that picture
216
00:17:56,241 --> 00:17:58,243
out of my face of my son.
217
00:17:59,036 --> 00:18:01,205
As many pictures as I hang...
218
00:18:03,582 --> 00:18:05,167
of him being happy,
219
00:18:07,169 --> 00:18:08,879
laughing and stuff...
220
00:18:12,007 --> 00:18:18,263
that picture of what they done
to him overrides all the good.
221
00:18:30,692 --> 00:18:33,403
[Brandon]
I would just like to know, how.
222
00:18:34,696 --> 00:18:37,074
I would like to know, why.
223
00:18:37,199 --> 00:18:39,076
[somber music swelling]
224
00:18:39,201 --> 00:18:40,744
[silence]
225
00:18:40,869 --> 00:18:43,872
[wind chimes gently tinkling]
226
00:18:43,956 --> 00:18:46,500
[phone ringing]
227
00:18:46,583 --> 00:18:48,836
- [Sandy] Hello?
- [man] Hey.
228
00:18:48,919 --> 00:18:51,922
[Sandy] No, I ain't got
Birmingham news. What?
229
00:18:52,047 --> 00:18:53,841
[Steven's father]
They said that Little Steven,
230
00:18:53,924 --> 00:18:56,051
they opened his cell
and he rushed out,
231
00:18:56,135 --> 00:18:57,761
attacked the guards.
232
00:18:57,886 --> 00:19:00,139
[Sandy] Really?
They had to subdue him
233
00:19:00,222 --> 00:19:01,765
and beat him to death?
234
00:19:01,890 --> 00:19:04,143
Somebody pull it up.
235
00:19:04,226 --> 00:19:06,186
[reporter] Inmate dead
after trying to attack
236
00:19:06,270 --> 00:19:08,564
a corrections officer
with shivs.
237
00:19:08,647 --> 00:19:11,441
Steven Davis died after
attacking corrections officers
238
00:19:11,567 --> 00:19:13,944
at the William Donaldson
Correctional Facility.
239
00:19:14,069 --> 00:19:16,238
Investigators say
they tried several times
240
00:19:16,321 --> 00:19:18,157
to get him
to put his weapons down
241
00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:20,659
before resorting
to deadly force.
242
00:19:20,742 --> 00:19:24,788
[somber music playing]
243
00:19:27,291 --> 00:19:28,625
[Sandy] Because--
244
00:19:29,501 --> 00:19:31,003
[Sandy]
Because I called the warden,
245
00:19:31,086 --> 00:19:33,172
and she has not called me back.
246
00:19:34,464 --> 00:19:36,550
[family member]
247
00:19:37,759 --> 00:19:40,304
They're disconnecting theirself,
I guess, from it,
248
00:19:40,429 --> 00:19:42,014
- by saying that--
- [family member]
249
00:19:42,973 --> 00:19:45,100
They can do what they want.
Y'all don't understand.
250
00:19:45,184 --> 00:19:47,477
They can actually do
what they want.
251
00:19:48,937 --> 00:19:50,439
[Sandy's friend] I'm so sorry.
252
00:19:51,690 --> 00:19:54,776
[cicadas chirping]
253
00:19:54,860 --> 00:19:57,446
[cell phone ringing]
254
00:20:02,284 --> 00:20:04,036
[Sandy] Hello? I'm sorry.
255
00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:07,206
I'm-I'm on oxygen, so I had
to take a minute there.
256
00:20:07,289 --> 00:20:10,000
[official] Okay.
Well, I understand. Uh...
257
00:20:10,125 --> 00:20:11,793
[Sandy] Who's this?
258
00:20:11,877 --> 00:20:13,962
[official]
Don't, you know, I'm just...
259
00:20:14,046 --> 00:20:16,256
I know you're grieving
and mourning, and I...
260
00:20:16,340 --> 00:20:17,674
but I just...
261
00:20:17,799 --> 00:20:19,468
I wanted to tell you that
262
00:20:19,551 --> 00:20:22,429
your son was beaten to death
by an officer.
263
00:20:22,512 --> 00:20:25,349
- [tense music playing]
- That was a murder.
264
00:20:25,474 --> 00:20:27,351
You know, they sweep stuff
underneath the rug
265
00:20:27,476 --> 00:20:29,228
all the time about this.
266
00:20:29,811 --> 00:20:32,397
[Sandy] I called the warden
this afternoon.
267
00:20:32,481 --> 00:20:34,858
An hour later, there was
a statement on the news
268
00:20:34,983 --> 00:20:36,360
that he rushed out of his cell
269
00:20:36,485 --> 00:20:38,779
with two homemade weapons
and attacked them.
270
00:20:38,862 --> 00:20:40,322
[official] A plastic knife.
271
00:20:41,073 --> 00:20:43,200
They always come up
with something to justify
272
00:20:43,325 --> 00:20:46,203
the excess brutality
and use of force.
273
00:20:46,328 --> 00:20:48,080
- Right.
- You can't beat a man to death.
274
00:20:48,163 --> 00:20:50,040
Those guys have pepper spray.
275
00:20:50,165 --> 00:20:51,667
And if somebody rushed at you,
276
00:20:51,750 --> 00:20:53,377
then you could have sprayed
that person.
277
00:20:54,086 --> 00:20:56,588
Yeah, they broke every bone
in his face.
278
00:20:56,672 --> 00:20:58,674
[official] I'm not going to say
that everybody in there
279
00:20:58,757 --> 00:21:00,509
is a Sunday school choirboy,
280
00:21:00,592 --> 00:21:02,469
but the very fact
in all of it is,
281
00:21:02,552 --> 00:21:06,932
is nobody deserves
to be beaten to death.
282
00:21:07,015 --> 00:21:09,726
You got to get an attorney
to look into this thing.
283
00:21:09,851 --> 00:21:12,437
I appreciate you so much.
Thank you.
284
00:21:14,106 --> 00:21:16,858
[cicadas chirping]
285
00:21:18,694 --> 00:21:22,281
[birds twittering]
286
00:21:26,702 --> 00:21:27,786
[producer]
287
00:21:29,037 --> 00:21:30,163
[producer]
288
00:21:48,473 --> 00:21:49,641
[producer]
289
00:21:49,725 --> 00:21:50,851
[Melvin] Okay.
290
00:22:21,298 --> 00:22:24,801
That day, I had went
to a service out in the chapel.
291
00:22:26,011 --> 00:22:28,805
And the dudes were saying
that the officers
292
00:22:28,930 --> 00:22:30,557
had whupped somebody.
293
00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:32,184
Later on,
294
00:22:32,267 --> 00:22:34,936
everybody go to hearing
that this guy's dead.
295
00:22:35,604 --> 00:22:38,315
You know, but a lot of them
are really scared
296
00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:39,816
to really say something.
297
00:22:39,941 --> 00:22:41,234
I mean, you know...
298
00:22:42,319 --> 00:22:44,821
to watch them kill somebody?
299
00:22:45,864 --> 00:22:49,910
[somber music playing]
300
00:23:32,244 --> 00:23:34,621
[producer] And they actually
said those words?
301
00:24:12,367 --> 00:24:13,743
[Terry] Amen.
302
00:24:18,206 --> 00:24:20,834
[cicadas chirping]
303
00:24:20,917 --> 00:24:23,170
[vehicle approaching]
304
00:24:32,220 --> 00:24:35,223
[Robert Earl] It's clear
that a bunch of crimes
305
00:24:35,307 --> 00:24:37,809
are being committed
and covered up
306
00:24:37,893 --> 00:24:40,604
by the Alabama Department
of Corrections.
307
00:24:43,398 --> 00:24:46,818
When you're dealing
with all these inequalities,
308
00:24:46,902 --> 00:24:50,030
it's easy to get caught up
in the vindictiveness,
309
00:24:50,113 --> 00:24:51,364
the vengefulness,
310
00:24:51,448 --> 00:24:54,701
and lose sight
of who you truly are.
311
00:24:54,784 --> 00:24:58,246
- [indistinct yelling]
- Hold on one second.
312
00:24:58,330 --> 00:25:02,125
- [yelling continues]
- [banging]
313
00:25:07,506 --> 00:25:08,548
[yelling and banging stops]
314
00:25:36,952 --> 00:25:39,371
[indistinct yelling]
315
00:25:41,498 --> 00:25:44,084
[somber music playing]
316
00:25:46,044 --> 00:25:48,296
I came to prison young.
317
00:25:50,465 --> 00:25:53,885
I was hustling in the streets
being a crack dealer.
318
00:26:10,485 --> 00:26:12,279
[tense music plays]
319
00:27:10,211 --> 00:27:13,006
[gentle music playing]
320
00:27:31,650 --> 00:27:33,818
[music fades out]
321
00:27:33,902 --> 00:27:36,237
[contemplative music playing]
322
00:27:38,073 --> 00:27:42,285
Halifax County
was a self-help program
323
00:27:42,410 --> 00:27:45,705
that was created by inmates,
for inmates.
324
00:27:46,581 --> 00:27:48,625
[Melvin]
These were incarcerated men
325
00:27:48,750 --> 00:27:52,796
who were students of the law
and teaching the law.
326
00:27:52,921 --> 00:27:56,466
They were part of a legacy
of jailhouse lawyers.
327
00:27:56,591 --> 00:27:58,677
You know, there was a lot
of brothers amongst us
328
00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:01,680
who had lived throughout
the '60s and '70s
329
00:28:01,763 --> 00:28:05,809
and had been imprisoned
for their activism in that era.
330
00:28:05,934 --> 00:28:07,394
And, you know, we didn't know
331
00:28:07,477 --> 00:28:10,980
that you were sleeping next
to a guy who was at Selma
332
00:28:11,106 --> 00:28:12,315
on Bloody Sunday.
333
00:28:14,693 --> 00:28:16,945
[dramatic music playing]
334
00:28:18,446 --> 00:28:20,115
Training up under those men,
335
00:28:20,865 --> 00:28:23,535
you know, people say
it's a law class,
336
00:28:24,285 --> 00:28:26,871
it was so much more
than a law class.
337
00:28:26,955 --> 00:28:30,917
It was like a rites of passage
of coming into manhood.
338
00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:33,002
From boys to men.
339
00:28:33,128 --> 00:28:35,922
A lot of us didn't even know
how to balance a checkbook.
340
00:28:36,005 --> 00:28:37,757
We didn't know
how to buy groceries.
341
00:28:38,299 --> 00:28:41,553
Some of us didn't even have
social skills, etiquette.
342
00:28:43,138 --> 00:28:44,472
[Robert Earl]
We just was blessed
343
00:28:44,556 --> 00:28:46,933
to be surrounded
by some older brothers
344
00:28:47,016 --> 00:28:49,686
who wanted to prepare us
to be Black men
345
00:28:49,811 --> 00:28:51,980
who could defend themselves
intellectually,
346
00:28:52,063 --> 00:28:53,565
and not just physically.
347
00:28:55,567 --> 00:28:57,277
You are given seven days
348
00:28:57,360 --> 00:28:59,904
to learn
the Constitutional amendments,
349
00:28:59,988 --> 00:29:01,740
and recite them.
350
00:29:01,823 --> 00:29:06,286
That's your introduction to
being a part of Halifax County.
351
00:29:06,369 --> 00:29:09,414
We had to learn the Alabama
Rules of Criminal Procedure,
352
00:29:09,497 --> 00:29:11,416
the Alabama Rules
of Appellate Procedure,
353
00:29:11,499 --> 00:29:13,334
the Alabama Rules of Evidence.
354
00:29:15,336 --> 00:29:17,338
This is how I met Robert Earl.
355
00:29:19,758 --> 00:29:21,301
This is how we became friends,
356
00:29:21,384 --> 00:29:23,178
this is how we became brothers.
357
00:29:25,180 --> 00:29:27,557
[Robert Earl] Halifax County
brought a spark of hope,
358
00:29:27,682 --> 00:29:29,142
a spark of life.
359
00:29:29,225 --> 00:29:32,771
We all we got,
but we all we need.
360
00:29:43,114 --> 00:29:44,949
[Robert Earl]
361
00:29:55,210 --> 00:29:56,628
This ain't nothing new,
362
00:29:56,711 --> 00:29:59,297
that they're using
excessive violence against us,
363
00:29:59,380 --> 00:30:01,466
you know, excessive force.
364
00:30:01,549 --> 00:30:05,804
As they saw us filing grievances
and filing lawsuits
365
00:30:05,887 --> 00:30:07,597
when our rights were violated,
366
00:30:07,722 --> 00:30:10,016
then it became,
"Oh, the library's closed today.
367
00:30:10,099 --> 00:30:12,060
Y'all can't go in there today."
368
00:30:12,143 --> 00:30:15,730
I mean, the Department
of Corrections was opposed
369
00:30:15,814 --> 00:30:19,275
to Halifax County
in every way possible.
370
00:30:20,819 --> 00:30:24,531
There came a point where we had
enough and we had to do more.
371
00:30:25,448 --> 00:30:29,452
We had to take our cases
to the court of public opinion.
372
00:30:29,577 --> 00:30:32,413
[keyboard clacking]
373
00:30:35,416 --> 00:30:37,043
Free Alabama Movement,
374
00:30:37,126 --> 00:30:39,420
inside Alabama's Department
of Corrections.
375
00:30:40,088 --> 00:30:42,090
Uh...
This is the movement, y'all.
376
00:30:42,173 --> 00:30:43,967
The movement is official.
377
00:30:44,092 --> 00:30:47,637
We are addressing the issues
of mass incarceration.
378
00:30:47,762 --> 00:30:49,639
[dramatic music plays]
379
00:30:49,764 --> 00:30:51,432
[Melvin]
I could never have created
380
00:30:51,516 --> 00:30:52,892
Free Alabama Movement
381
00:30:52,976 --> 00:30:54,561
without Kinetik.
382
00:30:54,644 --> 00:30:55,770
It took both of us.
383
00:30:57,188 --> 00:30:58,857
[Robert Earl]
The combination of both of us
384
00:30:58,940 --> 00:31:01,860
is like a perfect algorithm.
385
00:31:01,943 --> 00:31:04,195
The same thing
you can say in two sentences,
386
00:31:04,279 --> 00:31:06,990
Melvin can turn
into a five-page report.
387
00:31:09,158 --> 00:31:11,786
Very thorough, very analytical.
388
00:31:12,871 --> 00:31:16,291
Kinetik, he's the guy
that you need
389
00:31:16,374 --> 00:31:19,794
to deal with
the prison environment.
390
00:31:19,878 --> 00:31:21,254
In a sense. [chuckles]
391
00:31:21,337 --> 00:31:24,173
My background is dealing
with street dudes,
392
00:31:24,883 --> 00:31:26,843
so I began organizing.
393
00:31:38,730 --> 00:31:40,523
We have to come together
and make a stand
394
00:31:40,648 --> 00:31:42,567
that our life
is worth something.
395
00:31:48,323 --> 00:31:50,241
We gotta take our power back.
396
00:31:50,325 --> 00:31:52,410
[inspiring music plays]
397
00:31:53,745 --> 00:31:56,080
[Melvin]
398
00:32:04,422 --> 00:32:06,883
[crowd cheering]
399
00:32:09,719 --> 00:32:11,804
They couldn't get us
out of the news.
400
00:32:11,888 --> 00:32:13,222
A movement is growing
401
00:32:13,348 --> 00:32:15,934
from inside prison walls
here in Alabama.
402
00:32:16,017 --> 00:32:17,226
[crowd cheering]
403
00:32:17,352 --> 00:32:18,645
[Robert Earl]
404
00:32:25,777 --> 00:32:29,364
You know, we were a force
against the administration.
405
00:32:29,447 --> 00:32:31,115
[music stops abruptly]
406
00:32:31,199 --> 00:32:32,742
[Melvin] So what did they do?
407
00:32:32,867 --> 00:32:35,078
- [foreboding music plays]
- They attacked us for it.
408
00:32:35,870 --> 00:32:37,455
[correctional officer] Cuff up.
409
00:32:37,538 --> 00:32:38,790
Cuff up!
410
00:32:38,873 --> 00:32:40,291
[officer yells]
411
00:32:42,251 --> 00:32:43,461
[tense music plays]
412
00:33:08,069 --> 00:33:10,697
[dramatic music plays]
413
00:33:10,780 --> 00:33:14,784
And then they put Melvin
in my file as my enemy.
414
00:33:16,577 --> 00:33:19,330
We can't be around each other
in the same institution.
415
00:33:20,623 --> 00:33:22,792
One of us
had to be transferred.
416
00:33:25,920 --> 00:33:29,924
[Melvin] We did about five years
each in solitary confinement.
417
00:33:31,092 --> 00:33:34,429
Because we had
the thought to be free,
418
00:33:34,512 --> 00:33:36,639
they punished us for it.
419
00:33:38,099 --> 00:33:41,561
[Robert Earl] ADOC tried
to hold us incommunicado.
420
00:33:42,437 --> 00:33:44,063
But it was too late.
421
00:33:44,147 --> 00:33:46,274
We got through
to the federal government.
422
00:33:46,357 --> 00:33:48,317
[suspenseful music playing]
423
00:33:49,527 --> 00:33:52,071
Right now, the U.S. Justice
Department is launching
424
00:33:52,155 --> 00:33:55,616
an investigation into conditions
within Alabama's prison system.
425
00:33:58,619 --> 00:34:00,496
[Robert Earl]
426
00:34:11,299 --> 00:34:13,426
[Melvin] When they showed up
in the prison system,
427
00:34:13,509 --> 00:34:16,387
we didn't look at them
like knights in shining armor.
428
00:34:16,471 --> 00:34:20,475
We was looking at them like,
"Okay, what y'all gonna do?"
429
00:34:30,234 --> 00:34:32,945
[Robert Earl]
430
00:34:36,824 --> 00:34:40,703
Our hope is that the government,
the United States government
431
00:34:40,828 --> 00:34:43,539
will come down here
and hold Alabama accountable.
432
00:34:53,341 --> 00:34:55,676
- [clapping hands]
- [indistinct chatter]
433
00:34:57,345 --> 00:35:03,142
[line ringing]
434
00:35:06,062 --> 00:35:08,022
[voicemail] At the tone,
please record your message.
435
00:35:08,106 --> 00:35:09,607
- When you--
- [phone clicks]
436
00:35:11,192 --> 00:35:14,278
[Sandy] The frustration's
just overwhelming.
437
00:35:15,113 --> 00:35:17,198
It's just been walls.
438
00:35:18,741 --> 00:35:21,619
I called
the Department of Corrections.
439
00:35:21,702 --> 00:35:22,995
They don't answer.
440
00:35:23,079 --> 00:35:24,956
So I keep calling.
441
00:35:25,039 --> 00:35:27,625
I called I & I,
got disconnected.
442
00:35:27,708 --> 00:35:29,252
Or hung up on, probably.
443
00:35:30,461 --> 00:35:32,880
They're the ones who are
supposed to be investigating
444
00:35:32,964 --> 00:35:34,841
what happened with Stevie.
445
00:35:34,924 --> 00:35:38,177
But then I realized how
it was all put together.
446
00:35:38,261 --> 00:35:41,556
I & I,
Department of Corrections,
447
00:35:41,639 --> 00:35:42,723
they're all within...
448
00:35:42,807 --> 00:35:44,475
they're within
the same building.
449
00:35:46,394 --> 00:35:48,187
I mean, they're all together.
450
00:35:49,230 --> 00:35:50,356
You've got to have someone
451
00:35:50,439 --> 00:35:52,775
totally independent
investigating.
452
00:35:53,901 --> 00:35:57,947
I mean, it's corrupt.
That's all you can say.
453
00:35:59,574 --> 00:36:01,576
[birds chirping]
454
00:36:03,911 --> 00:36:06,706
[traffic passing]
455
00:36:07,456 --> 00:36:11,002
[Hank] Sandy came to me after
her son Steven was killed.
456
00:36:11,919 --> 00:36:13,921
What she wanted most of all
457
00:36:14,005 --> 00:36:17,175
was for the folks
that killed her son
458
00:36:17,258 --> 00:36:19,093
to be held
criminally responsible,
459
00:36:19,177 --> 00:36:21,220
which is what happens
when you murder people.
460
00:36:22,430 --> 00:36:25,600
The DOC hasn't shared
the information with Sandy.
461
00:36:25,683 --> 00:36:27,268
It's a black box.
462
00:36:28,144 --> 00:36:30,563
So I've set up lawyer calls
with inmates...
463
00:36:30,646 --> 00:36:32,857
- [phone line ringing]
- ...so they can speak freely
464
00:36:32,940 --> 00:36:34,650
about what happened.
465
00:36:34,775 --> 00:36:36,903
[ringing continues]
466
00:36:38,029 --> 00:36:41,032
- [witness 1]
- Hello. My name is Hank Sherrod.
467
00:36:41,115 --> 00:36:45,661
I represent the mother
of Steven Davis.
468
00:36:45,786 --> 00:36:47,121
[witness 1]
469
00:36:52,835 --> 00:36:54,086
Right, but--
470
00:36:57,965 --> 00:36:59,467
Is there-- Is a--
471
00:37:00,509 --> 00:37:01,844
Are you by yourself?
472
00:37:03,137 --> 00:37:04,722
[witness 1]
473
00:37:05,556 --> 00:37:07,141
So this is supposed
to be an attorney call--
474
00:37:09,685 --> 00:37:11,646
There wasn't supposed
to be an officer in there.
475
00:37:11,729 --> 00:37:14,732
[tense music playing]
476
00:37:16,817 --> 00:37:19,028
Nobody can make
you talk to me...
477
00:37:27,536 --> 00:37:29,872
- Let me ask you this.
- [hangs up]
478
00:37:29,997 --> 00:37:31,374
[line disconnects]
479
00:37:33,834 --> 00:37:35,670
[witness 2]
480
00:37:41,050 --> 00:37:43,052
[witness 3]
481
00:37:48,599 --> 00:37:50,851
[witness 4]
482
00:38:01,195 --> 00:38:03,364
I can totally understand
why somebody
483
00:38:03,447 --> 00:38:04,573
wouldn't want to get involved.
484
00:38:04,699 --> 00:38:08,619
I mean, there's no
benefit to them.
485
00:38:09,578 --> 00:38:11,455
But hopefully
somebody will speak.
486
00:38:12,373 --> 00:38:13,499
[phone beeps]
487
00:38:13,582 --> 00:38:16,127
[witness 5]
488
00:38:19,213 --> 00:38:20,381
[ominous music playing]
489
00:38:54,915 --> 00:38:57,752
[Hank] Are you comfortable
saying who killed him?
490
00:38:59,420 --> 00:39:01,630
[witness 5]
491
00:39:22,443 --> 00:39:24,195
[tense music plays]
492
00:39:33,621 --> 00:39:34,872
That's crazy.
493
00:39:40,127 --> 00:39:41,545
Thank you so much.
494
00:39:43,464 --> 00:39:44,507
Take care.
495
00:39:45,216 --> 00:39:46,634
Bye-bye.
496
00:39:59,688 --> 00:40:01,357
He seems credible to me.
497
00:40:03,150 --> 00:40:05,152
Um... He seemed to really care.
498
00:40:05,236 --> 00:40:10,741
I mean, I didn't hear anything
that set off any alarm bells,
499
00:40:10,825 --> 00:40:13,160
you know,
regarding what happened.
500
00:40:14,161 --> 00:40:15,913
Now, if there are seven
or eight people
501
00:40:15,996 --> 00:40:17,915
who pretty much say
the same thing,
502
00:40:18,499 --> 00:40:19,834
I think it's the Department
of Corrections
503
00:40:19,917 --> 00:40:21,460
that's going to have
to answer some questions
504
00:40:21,544 --> 00:40:26,382
from Sandy Ray about
what happened to Steven Davis.
505
00:40:27,883 --> 00:40:30,719
[witness 6]
506
00:40:44,191 --> 00:40:46,986
[witness 7]
507
00:40:50,072 --> 00:40:51,157
[witness 7 scoffs]
508
00:40:53,701 --> 00:40:56,787
[witness 8]
509
00:41:01,125 --> 00:41:02,877
[cicadas chirping]
510
00:41:08,549 --> 00:41:11,677
[Robert Earl] In prison,
shit rolls downhill.
511
00:41:12,636 --> 00:41:15,556
The officers oppress us,
so we turn around
512
00:41:15,639 --> 00:41:20,060
and oppress someone who we feel
like is weaker than us.
513
00:41:20,144 --> 00:41:21,979
[indistinct yelling]
514
00:41:39,455 --> 00:41:42,041
...officers took this
as a license
515
00:41:42,124 --> 00:41:43,584
to beat and kill him.
516
00:41:44,585 --> 00:41:46,670
[indistinct chatter]
517
00:41:47,755 --> 00:41:49,381
[Hank]
I spoke to many witnesses.
518
00:41:50,466 --> 00:41:52,092
The gist
of what everybody said
519
00:41:52,176 --> 00:41:57,723
is that Steven was wanting
to put on a show of aggression.
520
00:41:57,806 --> 00:42:00,851
But when corrections officers
told him to stop,
521
00:42:00,935 --> 00:42:04,939
he got on the ground,
and then the beating commenced.
522
00:42:05,022 --> 00:42:07,691
That's the gist
of what everybody said,
523
00:42:07,775 --> 00:42:10,611
except for Mr. Sales.
524
00:42:10,694 --> 00:42:14,156
[foreboding music plays]
525
00:42:14,281 --> 00:42:16,283
[Sales]
526
00:42:22,331 --> 00:42:23,874
His demeanor?
527
00:42:32,800 --> 00:42:35,094
They were tied to his hands?
528
00:42:36,679 --> 00:42:38,180
With what?
529
00:42:48,899 --> 00:42:51,819
[Hank] What was Gadson doing
during the incident?
530
00:42:53,070 --> 00:42:54,446
[Sales]
531
00:43:01,829 --> 00:43:04,081
He provided aid and assistance.
532
00:43:04,164 --> 00:43:05,332
Uh...
533
00:43:05,416 --> 00:43:07,376
What-what do you mean by that?
534
00:43:23,684 --> 00:43:24,685
[Hank] I don't.
535
00:43:24,768 --> 00:43:26,520
[Sales]
536
00:43:38,365 --> 00:43:40,409
Where...
where'd you learn about that?
537
00:43:56,634 --> 00:43:58,093
[Hank]
Well, let me ask you this.
538
00:43:58,218 --> 00:43:59,511
[Sales]
539
00:44:06,560 --> 00:44:08,228
[Hank]
Yeah, that's not too far away--
540
00:44:08,312 --> 00:44:09,563
[Sales]
541
00:44:11,732 --> 00:44:14,193
[Hank] You got... you've got
a lot at stake, don't you?
542
00:44:24,119 --> 00:44:25,746
- [Hank] So you've been--
- [Sales]
543
00:44:28,248 --> 00:44:31,752
So you've been pulled out
by I & I six times?
544
00:45:02,449 --> 00:45:05,452
Listen, I can't imagine looking
at having freedom
545
00:45:05,536 --> 00:45:08,414
and being asked
to jeopardize that.
546
00:45:09,790 --> 00:45:12,501
And nobody should be put
in a position
547
00:45:12,626 --> 00:45:14,378
where they have
to choose between--
548
00:45:20,134 --> 00:45:22,720
[Hank]
So once you get out of prison,
549
00:45:22,803 --> 00:45:25,013
you would talk
to Steven's mother?
550
00:45:38,318 --> 00:45:40,738
[Hank]
I've heard what you said today,
551
00:45:40,821 --> 00:45:42,990
and I will share with his mother
552
00:45:43,073 --> 00:45:46,201
your willingness
to speak to her.
553
00:45:46,326 --> 00:45:48,203
- [Sales] Alright.
- You take care and be safe.
554
00:45:48,328 --> 00:45:49,830
Yeah.
555
00:45:51,832 --> 00:45:54,126
Wow. Um...
556
00:45:57,379 --> 00:46:01,759
So clearly he's being fed the...
557
00:46:02,676 --> 00:46:04,636
the officers' narrative.
558
00:46:06,430 --> 00:46:09,558
They just need one inmate
backing up their story
559
00:46:09,683 --> 00:46:11,769
to keep this from ever
going to court.
560
00:46:11,852 --> 00:46:13,729
[somber music plays and stops]
561
00:46:13,854 --> 00:46:16,106
[cicadas chirping]
562
00:46:23,781 --> 00:46:25,407
[Terry]
563
00:46:36,460 --> 00:46:38,754
They're like a gang.
They really are.
564
00:46:38,879 --> 00:46:41,131
They've broke
some of these dudes' arms,
565
00:46:41,215 --> 00:46:43,091
they've stomped their teeth out.
566
00:46:50,724 --> 00:46:53,310
[solemn music playing]
567
00:46:55,562 --> 00:46:58,357
[Quante] I worked at Alabama
Department of Corrections
568
00:46:58,440 --> 00:46:59,566
for eight years,
569
00:46:59,650 --> 00:47:01,568
and I feel like no person
570
00:47:01,652 --> 00:47:02,945
should go through the situation
571
00:47:03,070 --> 00:47:04,696
that's going on in the prison
right now,
572
00:47:04,780 --> 00:47:06,406
as-as we speak.
573
00:47:07,241 --> 00:47:11,411
Correctional officers should be
the most reliable, trustworthy.
574
00:47:12,746 --> 00:47:14,623
You really want people
that will do the right thing
575
00:47:14,748 --> 00:47:16,124
when nobody's watching.
576
00:47:17,584 --> 00:47:19,545
But in Alabama,
you don't have that.
577
00:47:33,934 --> 00:47:37,729
[Stacy] Sometimes, we have one
officer for 200, 300 inmates.
578
00:47:38,814 --> 00:47:42,109
With the low staffing,
and the mandatory overtime,
579
00:47:42,192 --> 00:47:45,028
you've got officers
that look like zombies.
580
00:47:46,488 --> 00:47:48,448
[man]
581
00:47:54,288 --> 00:47:55,539
[man]
582
00:48:07,342 --> 00:48:10,012
[Stacy] Because they're
so desperate for officers,
583
00:48:10,137 --> 00:48:12,639
they just hire anybody
that's going to do this job.
584
00:48:13,682 --> 00:48:16,018
So there's a lot of people
that seek these jobs.
585
00:48:16,143 --> 00:48:19,187
They're wanting to be
controlling and dominating.
586
00:48:35,162 --> 00:48:36,997
[Quante]
587
00:48:43,170 --> 00:48:44,922
[indistinct yelling]
588
00:48:48,425 --> 00:48:50,928
[indistinct yelling
and clamoring]
589
00:48:51,386 --> 00:48:54,139
[Quante]
590
00:48:55,515 --> 00:48:58,352
And that's what they did.
Beat their ass.
591
00:48:58,435 --> 00:49:00,979
[clamoring]
592
00:49:07,235 --> 00:49:09,279
This is supposed
to be rehabilitation.
593
00:49:09,363 --> 00:49:11,031
What you rehabilitating?
594
00:49:11,698 --> 00:49:15,035
You can't rehabilitate a man
by beating the hell out of him.
595
00:49:15,702 --> 00:49:17,829
[indistinct radio chatter]
596
00:49:19,039 --> 00:49:22,042
It's not just
a couple of bad apples.
597
00:49:22,125 --> 00:49:23,418
This is a norm.
598
00:49:23,543 --> 00:49:25,253
It goes on in every prison.
599
00:49:25,379 --> 00:49:28,548
[dramatic music playing]
600
00:49:28,632 --> 00:49:31,593
[Melvin]
There is an extensive history
601
00:49:31,718 --> 00:49:35,514
of pro se lawsuits
we filed for decades
602
00:49:35,597 --> 00:49:38,934
against the same officers.
603
00:49:39,059 --> 00:49:40,894
The "pro se" means "for self."
604
00:49:40,978 --> 00:49:42,562
We're filing it ourselves,
605
00:49:42,646 --> 00:49:44,940
without assistance
from attorneys.
606
00:49:45,065 --> 00:49:47,651
They're not taking up
this litigation. We are.
607
00:49:48,568 --> 00:49:50,821
That's what we were taught
at Halifax County.
608
00:49:52,406 --> 00:49:54,533
[Melvin] There is
enough paperwork done
609
00:49:54,616 --> 00:49:56,743
for people to understand
610
00:49:56,827 --> 00:49:59,204
just how wide
of a scale this is.
611
00:50:02,582 --> 00:50:05,669
All you have to do
is go to the federal courts
612
00:50:05,752 --> 00:50:07,504
and look for
the pro se litigation.
613
00:50:19,808 --> 00:50:22,310
[music fades out]
614
00:50:27,983 --> 00:50:30,068
[attorney] Twenty lawsuits
filed against you.
615
00:50:30,152 --> 00:50:31,695
Pro se lawsuits.
616
00:50:31,778 --> 00:50:34,656
It's like a pattern there.
You see that?
617
00:50:34,781 --> 00:50:36,491
I see what they're alleging.
618
00:50:38,869 --> 00:50:40,746
[attorney] Do you recognize
that document?
619
00:50:40,829 --> 00:50:42,164
No, I don't.
620
00:50:42,956 --> 00:50:44,583
[attorney] Can you read that?
621
00:50:44,666 --> 00:50:47,252
[Gadson] "These officers then
used open hands, closed hands,
622
00:50:47,335 --> 00:50:50,714
feet, sticks,
and a shield to beat me.
623
00:50:50,797 --> 00:50:52,466
Stomping, kicking,
punching, slapping,
624
00:50:52,549 --> 00:50:54,718
and hitting me with a stick,
and shield.
625
00:50:54,801 --> 00:50:56,053
I stated several more times
626
00:50:56,136 --> 00:50:57,429
that I was not resisting.
627
00:50:57,512 --> 00:51:00,265
Once again,
my pleas were ignored."
628
00:51:00,348 --> 00:51:01,975
[attorney] That doesn't ring
any bells for you?
629
00:51:02,059 --> 00:51:03,685
Doesn't help you
recollect anything?
630
00:51:03,810 --> 00:51:05,062
No, it don't.
631
00:51:06,146 --> 00:51:08,690
I ain't finna tell you
that I ain't never used force
632
00:51:08,815 --> 00:51:10,108
'cause I'd be lying to you.
633
00:51:10,817 --> 00:51:12,569
I ain't never used
excessive force.
634
00:51:13,320 --> 00:51:14,654
[attorney]
You never used excessive force?
635
00:51:14,738 --> 00:51:15,781
No, sir.
636
00:51:17,240 --> 00:51:19,451
[attorney] Another man was put
into a medically induced coma
637
00:51:19,534 --> 00:51:22,704
based on the beating that you
and your squad gave him.
638
00:51:22,829 --> 00:51:24,289
You're saying
that's necessary force.
639
00:51:24,372 --> 00:51:26,208
You can be placed
in a medically induced coma
640
00:51:26,333 --> 00:51:27,959
if they're doing surgery on you.
641
00:51:29,086 --> 00:51:31,129
I'm just ask-- I'm just saying.
642
00:51:32,214 --> 00:51:34,424
[attorney] "Officer Gadson
grabbed me, picked me up,
643
00:51:34,508 --> 00:51:36,301
and slammed me
into the concrete floor
644
00:51:36,384 --> 00:51:38,178
while in handcuffs."
645
00:51:39,262 --> 00:51:40,764
That doesn't mean
anything to you?
646
00:51:40,847 --> 00:51:42,015
I mean, what...
647
00:51:42,099 --> 00:51:43,642
That's all them alleg--
648
00:51:43,725 --> 00:51:45,227
It's allegations. I mean...
649
00:51:46,520 --> 00:51:48,563
[attorney] So you're a victim
of frivolous lawsuits?
650
00:51:48,688 --> 00:51:49,856
[scoffs]
651
00:51:51,942 --> 00:51:53,193
Hey.
652
00:51:53,276 --> 00:51:54,778
If that's what you call it.
653
00:51:55,904 --> 00:51:57,781
[somber music playing]
654
00:51:57,864 --> 00:52:00,575
[Quante]
655
00:52:20,720 --> 00:52:23,348
Every lawsuit
that I've been involved in,
656
00:52:24,391 --> 00:52:26,434
an inmate ain't never won.
657
00:52:26,560 --> 00:52:28,937
[attorney] But you settled some
of those lawsuits, haven't you?
658
00:52:29,062 --> 00:52:31,481
- Who, I have?
- Or your attorney on your behalf
659
00:52:31,565 --> 00:52:32,732
has settled those lawsuits.
660
00:52:32,816 --> 00:52:34,734
I don't know
which ones they settle.
661
00:52:34,818 --> 00:52:36,736
Have you ever personally
had to pay a settlement
662
00:52:36,820 --> 00:52:38,196
because of one
of these lawsuits?
663
00:52:38,280 --> 00:52:39,531
I haven't.
664
00:52:40,532 --> 00:52:43,034
[Melvin] The state pays
their legal bills.
665
00:52:43,118 --> 00:52:46,121
If they lose,
the state pays the settlement.
666
00:52:54,921 --> 00:52:58,300
It's a whole state apparatus
that we're litigating against.
667
00:52:58,425 --> 00:53:01,469
It's not just the COs,
or the sergeants,
668
00:53:01,595 --> 00:53:02,804
or the lieutenants.
669
00:53:02,929 --> 00:53:04,931
It's the captains,
it's the wardens,
670
00:53:05,015 --> 00:53:06,266
the Commissioner's office,
671
00:53:06,349 --> 00:53:08,143
and the Attorney
General's Office.
672
00:53:08,268 --> 00:53:10,103
Understanding that the state
673
00:53:10,187 --> 00:53:12,522
is settling one lawsuit
after another.
674
00:53:12,606 --> 00:53:14,232
Beating someone,
beating someone,
675
00:53:14,316 --> 00:53:15,483
beating someone.
676
00:53:15,609 --> 00:53:17,652
And these people
did not get fired.
677
00:53:17,777 --> 00:53:19,529
They did not get suspended.
678
00:53:20,655 --> 00:53:23,491
An inmate got more rights
than I got.
679
00:53:23,617 --> 00:53:25,368
- [attorney] How so?
- You know.
680
00:53:25,452 --> 00:53:27,162
That's why
you're defending them.
681
00:53:28,371 --> 00:53:30,207
[attorney] Somebody's
defending you too, right?
682
00:53:30,290 --> 00:53:31,374
Right.
683
00:53:34,502 --> 00:53:37,130
[ambient traffic noises]
684
00:53:41,134 --> 00:53:42,928
[radio host] Welcome back
to The Jeff Poor Show
685
00:53:43,011 --> 00:53:45,180
on FM Talk 1065.
686
00:53:45,305 --> 00:53:47,724
I want to kick it off
with the prison problem.
687
00:53:47,807 --> 00:53:50,435
The Department of Justice,
kind of keeping an eye on them,
688
00:53:50,518 --> 00:53:52,062
watching it very close.
689
00:53:52,145 --> 00:53:53,355
Here's how it works, guys.
690
00:53:53,480 --> 00:53:54,814
Federal government could say,
691
00:53:54,898 --> 00:53:56,399
"You can't get
this problem solved.
692
00:53:56,483 --> 00:53:58,235
We'll solve it for you."
693
00:53:58,318 --> 00:53:59,778
What if that happens here?
694
00:54:02,572 --> 00:54:04,866
New tonight, the Justice
Department files a lawsuit
695
00:54:04,991 --> 00:54:06,993
for conditions in state prisons.
696
00:54:07,535 --> 00:54:09,412
[reporter 1] A Justice
Department investigation
697
00:54:09,496 --> 00:54:13,041
found conditions throughout the
entire Alabama prison system
698
00:54:13,166 --> 00:54:15,001
are unconstitutional.
699
00:54:15,085 --> 00:54:17,462
Alarming new report
from the Justice Department
700
00:54:17,545 --> 00:54:18,838
details horrifying conditions
701
00:54:18,922 --> 00:54:22,801
and regular occurrences
of murder and rape.
702
00:54:22,884 --> 00:54:24,928
[reporter 2]
According to the DOJ,
703
00:54:25,011 --> 00:54:28,014
an excessive amount
of violence, sexual abuse,
704
00:54:28,098 --> 00:54:31,101
and prisoner deaths
occur on a regular basis.
705
00:54:31,184 --> 00:54:35,272
ADOC appears unable to prevent
drugs in its prisons.
706
00:54:35,355 --> 00:54:38,608
And unlawful uses of force
are common.
707
00:54:38,692 --> 00:54:41,695
During a beating,
nurses heard an officer yell,
708
00:54:41,778 --> 00:54:46,074
"I am the reaper of death,
now say my name."
709
00:54:46,199 --> 00:54:47,742
This comes more than four years
710
00:54:47,867 --> 00:54:49,995
after the DOJ
opened investigation
711
00:54:50,078 --> 00:54:51,496
into the state's prison system.
712
00:54:52,414 --> 00:54:55,166
State officials
are pushing back.
713
00:54:55,250 --> 00:54:58,044
[reporter 3] Alabama Attorney
General Steve Marshall.
714
00:54:58,128 --> 00:55:00,130
Let's leave no doubt behind.
715
00:55:00,213 --> 00:55:02,299
What the Department of Justice
wants to do
716
00:55:02,382 --> 00:55:03,591
is to be able to take over
717
00:55:03,717 --> 00:55:05,552
the Alabama Department
of Corrections.
718
00:55:05,635 --> 00:55:08,388
That's not the remedy
that we believe is appropriate.
719
00:55:08,471 --> 00:55:09,889
We're going to defend
Alabama's interests.
720
00:55:09,973 --> 00:55:12,976
[cicadas chirping]
721
00:55:15,395 --> 00:55:18,481
[phone line breaking up]
722
00:55:19,399 --> 00:55:20,608
Hey there.
723
00:55:21,484 --> 00:55:25,572
We're celebrating the fact
that the DOJ filed that lawsuit.
724
00:55:26,406 --> 00:55:28,575
Like, this is what's
actually happening.
725
00:55:29,451 --> 00:55:31,328
This ain't our version,
726
00:55:31,411 --> 00:55:34,456
this is a third party,
independent investigation.
727
00:55:48,345 --> 00:55:50,972
[Robert Earl]
728
00:56:09,783 --> 00:56:12,452
[intriguing music playing]
729
00:56:12,535 --> 00:56:13,912
[birds chirping]
730
00:56:25,131 --> 00:56:29,010
Everything that Alabama
has done in regards
731
00:56:29,135 --> 00:56:31,513
to justice and equality,
732
00:56:31,638 --> 00:56:34,224
they were forced to do it
by the federal government.
733
00:56:35,392 --> 00:56:39,813
From the Civil War,
to ending chattel slavery,
734
00:56:40,688 --> 00:56:42,816
to stopping segregation.
735
00:56:51,199 --> 00:56:54,327
You know what I'm saying, "We
gonna have an Alabama solution."
736
00:56:54,411 --> 00:56:56,162
It's got to be
an Alabama solution.
737
00:56:56,246 --> 00:56:58,456
We cannot tolerate
the alternative,
738
00:56:58,540 --> 00:57:01,960
which is having the DOJ
take it over, turn folks loose.
739
00:57:02,043 --> 00:57:04,003
It's our problem,
we got to own it,
740
00:57:04,087 --> 00:57:05,130
we got to fix it.
741
00:57:05,213 --> 00:57:08,383
[cicadas chirping]
742
00:57:14,681 --> 00:57:15,723
[Raoul] Hey.
743
00:57:35,535 --> 00:57:38,037
[somber music playing]
744
00:57:38,163 --> 00:57:40,290
[reporter 1] Records show
the number of paroles granted
745
00:57:40,373 --> 00:57:43,543
in Alabama has plummeted
to a new low.
746
00:57:43,626 --> 00:57:45,420
[reporter 2]
In just three years,
747
00:57:45,545 --> 00:57:46,963
parole rates have fallen
748
00:57:47,046 --> 00:57:50,842
by a staggering 72%.
749
00:57:50,925 --> 00:57:53,386
[reporter 3] Alabama's
parole rate is so low,
750
00:57:53,470 --> 00:57:56,139
it doesn't offer any hope
to prisoners.
751
00:57:58,391 --> 00:58:00,518
- [thunder rolling]
- [rain falls]
752
00:59:43,663 --> 00:59:45,873
If you're an officer
that's willing to bring it in,
753
00:59:45,999 --> 00:59:48,876
you know, it's not like
a free market enterprise.
754
00:59:49,002 --> 00:59:50,086
It's more like a monopoly.
755
00:59:50,169 --> 00:59:51,921
[producer] So you could
bring in drugs.
756
00:59:52,005 --> 00:59:54,966
Oh, easy. Very easy.
757
00:59:55,049 --> 00:59:57,176
There's no checkpoints
out at the front.
758
00:59:57,260 --> 00:59:59,220
There's no dogs anymore.
759
00:59:59,345 --> 01:00:01,222
So they're not even going
to be paying attention.
760
01:00:02,223 --> 01:00:04,350
I just wonder if they're afraid
they'll catch somebody too
761
01:00:04,434 --> 01:00:07,186
and have to fire them,
because we're so shorthanded.
762
01:00:07,270 --> 01:00:09,647
So which is worse,
somebody bringing in drugs?
763
01:00:09,731 --> 01:00:11,941
Or that person
not being there anymore?
764
01:00:12,025 --> 01:00:14,569
[indistinct chatter]
765
01:01:06,579 --> 01:01:09,624
[slow dramatic music playing]
766
01:01:53,292 --> 01:01:55,795
[man 1]
767
01:01:57,463 --> 01:01:58,673
- [man 2] Hey!
- [man 1] Hey!
768
01:01:58,798 --> 01:02:00,133
[man 3] Hey, hold him up.
Hold him up.
769
01:02:01,467 --> 01:02:03,469
[Raoul]
770
01:02:05,054 --> 01:02:06,848
[man]
771
01:02:27,368 --> 01:02:29,537
[Raoul] We got a laundry cart,
772
01:02:29,662 --> 01:02:32,039
we'll run them
to the infirmary.
773
01:02:33,332 --> 01:02:35,042
We'll be the ambulance.
774
01:02:37,253 --> 01:02:39,714
And some of them make it
and some of them don't.
775
01:02:47,680 --> 01:02:49,015
[chokes up]
776
01:03:01,736 --> 01:03:03,946
[cicadas chirping]
777
01:03:11,954 --> 01:03:13,915
[string trimmer buzzing]
778
01:03:17,126 --> 01:03:19,504
[producer]
So is there anything we can say
779
01:03:19,587 --> 01:03:22,590
about the nature
of criminal behavior?
780
01:03:24,133 --> 01:03:26,093
I think there are evil people
in the world,
781
01:03:26,219 --> 01:03:28,221
and I think there
are individuals
782
01:03:28,304 --> 01:03:31,682
that have absolutely
no regard for human life.
783
01:03:32,558 --> 01:03:34,894
[producer] Is the prison system
close to working?
784
01:03:34,977 --> 01:03:38,064
Does it require
a massive overhaul?
785
01:03:38,147 --> 01:03:40,358
I think we have a strategic plan
in place.
786
01:03:40,441 --> 01:03:43,945
There's an argument that there
is some systemic problem
787
01:03:44,070 --> 01:03:45,446
within all of our facilities,
788
01:03:45,571 --> 01:03:47,323
and I wholeheartedly
disagree with that.
789
01:03:50,117 --> 01:03:51,911
"We dare defend our rights."
790
01:03:51,994 --> 01:03:54,831
That is a motto of this state
that I think matters.
791
01:03:55,331 --> 01:03:57,083
We have the opportunity
to push back against
792
01:03:57,166 --> 01:03:59,836
what we think is an overreach
of the Department of Justice.
793
01:04:01,587 --> 01:04:04,966
We don't necessarily embrace
the fact that Washington, D.C.,
794
01:04:05,091 --> 01:04:06,926
has all the answers.
795
01:04:07,009 --> 01:04:09,095
We want to be able to do it
ourselves in ways
796
01:04:09,178 --> 01:04:10,847
that we think make sense
for Alabama.
797
01:04:10,930 --> 01:04:14,350
And in fact, the governor's plan
demonstrates that.
798
01:04:17,937 --> 01:04:20,731
Her Excellency, Kay Ellen Ivey.
799
01:04:20,815 --> 01:04:21,983
[applause]
800
01:04:22,108 --> 01:04:23,401
[reporter] A lot to tackle.
801
01:04:23,484 --> 01:04:25,152
Lawmakers are under an edict
802
01:04:25,278 --> 01:04:26,654
from the federal government
803
01:04:26,779 --> 01:04:30,324
to solve ongoing issues
in the state prison system.
804
01:04:30,449 --> 01:04:32,994
Here now, the governor,
live from Montgomery.
805
01:04:33,119 --> 01:04:34,662
[applause peters out]
806
01:04:35,371 --> 01:04:36,789
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
807
01:04:36,873 --> 01:04:38,249
Please be seated.
808
01:04:39,625 --> 01:04:42,211
You heard me say this before,
and I'll say it again.
809
01:04:42,795 --> 01:04:44,422
This is an Alabama problem
810
01:04:44,505 --> 01:04:46,966
that must have
an Alabama solution.
811
01:04:47,049 --> 01:04:50,344
I look forward to working
with each of you to solve it.
812
01:04:50,469 --> 01:04:53,431
[applause]
813
01:04:54,473 --> 01:04:56,350
[applause peters out]
814
01:04:56,475 --> 01:04:59,645
I've asked Commissioner Dunn
to build three new prisons
815
01:04:59,729 --> 01:05:01,981
that will transition
our facilities
816
01:05:02,064 --> 01:05:05,818
from warehousing inmates
to rehabilitating people.
817
01:05:06,736 --> 01:05:08,946
[intriguing music playing]
818
01:05:09,655 --> 01:05:11,240
[reporter]
The governor's plan calls
819
01:05:11,324 --> 01:05:13,659
for replacing 11 major prisons
820
01:05:13,743 --> 01:05:16,287
with three regional
mega-prisons.
821
01:05:16,370 --> 01:05:18,581
That's the best you can do
in the state of Alabama
822
01:05:18,664 --> 01:05:20,166
and people are dying?
823
01:05:20,249 --> 01:05:21,751
People are being killed?
824
01:05:21,834 --> 01:05:25,838
And the best you can say is,
"We got new prisons coming."
825
01:05:26,881 --> 01:05:28,090
[reporter] This won't address
826
01:05:28,174 --> 01:05:29,926
the state's
overcrowding problem.
827
01:05:30,009 --> 01:05:31,135
[legislator]
There'll be the same issue
828
01:05:31,218 --> 01:05:32,511
since there will be
the same number
829
01:05:32,595 --> 01:05:34,138
of beds in
the Department of Corrections.
830
01:05:34,221 --> 01:05:35,473
Is that correct?
831
01:05:36,223 --> 01:05:38,017
Uh... Pretty much.
832
01:05:38,100 --> 01:05:39,727
[applause]
833
01:05:39,852 --> 01:05:41,437
[reporter 1]
The governor estimates the cost
834
01:05:41,520 --> 01:05:44,190
for the new prisons
would be around $900 million.
835
01:05:44,732 --> 01:05:48,527
- [reporter 2] $900 million.
- [reporter 3] $900 million.
836
01:05:52,198 --> 01:05:53,991
[tense music plays]
837
01:05:56,202 --> 01:05:59,080
It's strictly about
issuing out contracts
838
01:05:59,205 --> 01:06:00,957
to people to build
these new prisons.
839
01:06:02,458 --> 01:06:05,711
There's a lot of people
with their hands in the pot.
840
01:06:05,795 --> 01:06:07,546
So the building
of three mega-prisons
841
01:06:07,630 --> 01:06:10,091
is a big, big,
big money scheme.
842
01:06:11,217 --> 01:06:14,095
We're gonna build those prisons
because we need those prisons.
843
01:06:14,220 --> 01:06:17,390
[music fades out]
844
01:06:20,893 --> 01:06:23,688
[stream whooshing]
845
01:06:23,771 --> 01:06:25,564
[birds squawking]
846
01:06:36,158 --> 01:06:39,036
[Sandy] No one around here
understands.
847
01:06:41,580 --> 01:06:44,542
He was beat to death
in prison by a guard.
848
01:06:44,625 --> 01:06:46,919
- [indistinct chatter]
- By a guard?
849
01:06:53,759 --> 01:06:57,388
He was with a couple and the guy
that was with him shot someone.
850
01:06:58,014 --> 01:06:59,849
So Steven was with him,
851
01:06:59,932 --> 01:07:02,309
so he got charged
with murder too.
852
01:07:03,477 --> 01:07:04,812
Yeah, it's--
853
01:07:10,693 --> 01:07:13,362
At a time,
they've all done it, you know?
854
01:07:18,451 --> 01:07:19,785
[Sandy]
A lot of people are cold.
855
01:07:19,869 --> 01:07:21,495
They say "They deserve it.
They're in prison.
856
01:07:21,620 --> 01:07:23,748
What do you expect?"
857
01:07:23,831 --> 01:07:25,624
They don't care
how they're treated.
858
01:07:27,126 --> 01:07:30,796
But, you know, I never thought
I would be in this situation,
859
01:07:30,880 --> 01:07:34,383
that I would have to care how
someone was treated in prison.
860
01:07:39,513 --> 01:07:41,599
I'm just waiting
for Stevie's roommate,
861
01:07:41,682 --> 01:07:44,727
James Sales, to get out
so we can talk.
862
01:07:44,810 --> 01:07:47,730
Because right now
he's just too afraid,
863
01:07:47,813 --> 01:07:49,648
which I can understand.
864
01:07:49,732 --> 01:07:52,485
Steven's not the only one
that's been beaten.
865
01:07:53,319 --> 01:07:56,072
He's not the only one
that's gonna be beaten.
866
01:07:56,155 --> 01:07:58,532
They-they deserve
to be kept safe.
867
01:07:59,408 --> 01:08:01,619
[cicadas chirping]
868
01:08:04,080 --> 01:08:06,999
[man talking indistinctly]
869
01:08:43,410 --> 01:08:45,788
[cicadas chirping]
870
01:08:47,206 --> 01:08:51,752
- [indistinct yelling]
- [clamoring]
871
01:08:51,877 --> 01:08:53,504
[tense music plays]
872
01:08:54,213 --> 01:08:55,881
- [man coughs]
- [music stops]
873
01:08:58,134 --> 01:09:00,511
[man]
874
01:09:06,100 --> 01:09:07,393
[coughs]
875
01:09:09,311 --> 01:09:12,189
- [somber music playing]
- [man coughing]
876
01:09:23,075 --> 01:09:24,326
[sighs]
877
01:09:38,674 --> 01:09:40,885
[sniffles] He hit him
with the stick
878
01:09:40,968 --> 01:09:44,138
across the face,
he's on the ground.
879
01:09:44,263 --> 01:09:47,641
He hit him again.
When he was already down.
880
01:09:47,766 --> 01:09:48,767
[sniffles]
881
01:09:49,602 --> 01:09:51,437
I'm standing in the door.
882
01:09:51,520 --> 01:09:53,564
I watched them drag him out
by his feet...
883
01:09:53,647 --> 01:09:57,067
[chokes up] ...with his face
on the ground,
884
01:09:57,151 --> 01:10:01,572
just leaving a trail of blood
all the way out the door.
885
01:10:03,115 --> 01:10:04,366
[exhales]
886
01:10:56,043 --> 01:10:59,213
- [rumbling]
- [kid screaming]
887
01:11:03,175 --> 01:11:04,969
[man]
888
01:11:10,349 --> 01:11:11,725
[woman talking indistinctly]
889
01:11:11,850 --> 01:11:13,519
[voicemail] Sorry.
There is no operator available
890
01:11:13,602 --> 01:11:14,812
at this hour.
891
01:11:14,895 --> 01:11:16,313
Record your message
at the tone.
892
01:11:17,231 --> 01:11:19,733
They won't let you know
how your kid's doing.
893
01:11:19,858 --> 01:11:22,736
You've got to go to bed
and sit there
894
01:11:22,861 --> 01:11:25,823
and just wonder,
"How is he doing?"
895
01:11:25,906 --> 01:11:27,908
They wouldn't tell nobody
nothing.
896
01:11:28,909 --> 01:11:30,327
I want to know what's going on.
897
01:11:30,411 --> 01:11:32,788
I want to know how
can we stick together
898
01:11:32,871 --> 01:11:37,126
and help and give him
the justice that he deserves?
899
01:11:37,209 --> 01:11:39,086
[somber music playing]
900
01:11:39,211 --> 01:11:42,840
And if anybody ever cared
about Robert Earl,
901
01:11:42,923 --> 01:11:45,467
this is the time for them
to stand up.
902
01:11:47,303 --> 01:11:50,848
This is the time for them
to protest for justice,
903
01:11:50,931 --> 01:11:53,267
for the injustice system.
904
01:11:53,392 --> 01:11:55,394
There's nothing right
about this.
905
01:11:55,477 --> 01:11:58,147
[protesters chanting
indistinctly]
906
01:11:58,230 --> 01:12:00,733
- Alabama legislators!
- [protesters] Enough is enough!
907
01:12:00,816 --> 01:12:03,610
- DOC!
- [protesters] Enough is enough!
908
01:12:03,736 --> 01:12:06,488
- DOC!
- [protesters] Enough is enough!
909
01:12:06,572 --> 01:12:09,825
[Ciara] My dad was locked up
since I was a baby.
910
01:12:09,908 --> 01:12:13,871
But he's been the most impactful
person in my life.
911
01:12:13,954 --> 01:12:17,416
[sobs] Prisoners are humans too.
912
01:12:23,797 --> 01:12:26,633
And he deserves
better treatment.
913
01:12:27,426 --> 01:12:29,678
All the prisoners
deserve better treatment.
914
01:12:29,762 --> 01:12:32,514
- [applause]
- [protesters] Enough is enough!
915
01:12:32,598 --> 01:12:34,641
- Enough is enough!
- Enough is enough!
916
01:12:34,767 --> 01:12:36,769
[reporter 1] Protesters
calling out what they describe
917
01:12:36,852 --> 01:12:40,022
as the prison system's
inhumane treatment of inmates.
918
01:12:40,606 --> 01:12:43,150
[reporter 2] While the demand
for action is happening outside
919
01:12:43,275 --> 01:12:46,528
of the statehouse, a meeting
to address those concerns
920
01:12:46,612 --> 01:12:48,405
was happening inside.
921
01:12:48,489 --> 01:12:51,241
[reporter 3] Governor Kay Ivey
created a study group
922
01:12:51,325 --> 01:12:54,370
to examine the issues.
That group met today.
923
01:12:55,788 --> 01:12:58,582
Now that we've outlined
the rules of this meeting,
924
01:12:58,665 --> 01:13:00,084
let's begin.
925
01:13:00,834 --> 01:13:03,796
Now, of course,
the way to assure absolute
926
01:13:03,879 --> 01:13:05,631
and total protection
of the public
927
01:13:05,714 --> 01:13:07,341
upon conviction of crime
928
01:13:08,050 --> 01:13:11,804
would be execution of all
who are convicted.
929
01:13:12,888 --> 01:13:15,557
However, conscience
930
01:13:15,641 --> 01:13:17,559
and the limits
of the U.S. Constitution
931
01:13:17,643 --> 01:13:20,896
do not tolerate
such extreme consequence
932
01:13:20,979 --> 01:13:22,648
of wrongdoing.
933
01:13:22,731 --> 01:13:25,025
So we live with the reality
934
01:13:25,150 --> 01:13:27,778
that most of those
who are convicted of crime
935
01:13:27,861 --> 01:13:31,198
will someday again
walk the streets.
936
01:13:31,323 --> 01:13:36,078
With that, it's time to get
the program underway.
937
01:13:36,161 --> 01:13:39,498
Corrections Commissioner
Jeff Dunn is here.
938
01:13:39,581 --> 01:13:41,792
[people murmuring]
939
01:13:43,001 --> 01:13:45,295
[tense music playing]
940
01:13:49,258 --> 01:13:51,343
[Sandy] That's my son,
Steven Davis.
941
01:13:57,057 --> 01:13:59,476
I have still yet to hear
from the prison system
942
01:13:59,560 --> 01:14:01,645
to find out what happened
to my son.
943
01:14:04,356 --> 01:14:06,400
All I've heard is what
they have released in the press,
944
01:14:06,525 --> 01:14:08,777
that he was beat by officers.
945
01:14:14,533 --> 01:14:18,245
I hope you will do justice
and give me answers.
946
01:14:18,787 --> 01:14:20,289
Somehow or another.
947
01:14:21,707 --> 01:14:24,209
[applause]
948
01:14:28,297 --> 01:14:30,424
[Champ Lyons]
Please take your seats.
949
01:14:30,549 --> 01:14:33,760
We have a limited amount of time
to deal with this.
950
01:14:34,761 --> 01:14:36,263
[Dunn]
I can't speak to specifics.
951
01:14:36,388 --> 01:14:37,890
It's an ongoing investigation,
952
01:14:37,973 --> 01:14:40,684
- and I pledge to you that--
- It's still going on?
953
01:14:40,767 --> 01:14:42,352
It is still going on.
954
01:14:42,436 --> 01:14:45,481
And we are going to pursue it,
based on the facts,
955
01:14:45,564 --> 01:14:49,026
to the fullest extent
that-that we're allowed.
956
01:14:49,109 --> 01:14:50,861
You told me
I can call the DA's office?
957
01:14:50,944 --> 01:14:52,112
- Yes, ma'am.
- And find out?
958
01:14:52,237 --> 01:14:53,363
Yes, ma'am. That's correct.
959
01:14:53,447 --> 01:14:55,908
They said they didn't have
Stevie's name.
960
01:14:57,618 --> 01:15:00,829
Well, I can't respond to
what-what they may tell you,
961
01:15:00,913 --> 01:15:02,956
but that's the actions
that we took.
962
01:15:03,665 --> 01:15:06,043
- It's good to see you. Okay.
- Good to see you.
963
01:15:07,127 --> 01:15:09,213
Nothing. Nothing.
964
01:15:09,296 --> 01:15:11,590
[indistinct chattering]
965
01:15:16,303 --> 01:15:18,889
[Sandy] You know, they don't
want that picture to be seen.
966
01:15:18,972 --> 01:15:20,182
I know they don't.
967
01:15:22,351 --> 01:15:25,103
But I want to show the world
what they've done,
968
01:15:25,187 --> 01:15:28,524
why I'm out here screaming
and hollering.
969
01:15:36,198 --> 01:15:38,742
And you know the prisoners
are scared.
970
01:15:38,825 --> 01:15:40,744
They're seeing all this
go down and nothing,
971
01:15:40,827 --> 01:15:42,538
no justice being done.
972
01:15:42,621 --> 01:15:45,415
Don't you know they're scared
they're liable to be killed too?
973
01:15:51,004 --> 01:15:52,297
Hmm.
974
01:15:56,510 --> 01:16:03,517
I would be, if I was next door
and they beat my buddy to death.
975
01:16:03,642 --> 01:16:05,727
[foreboding music plays]
976
01:16:06,979 --> 01:16:08,355
[birds chirping]
977
01:16:08,480 --> 01:16:10,816
[phone ringing]
978
01:16:15,529 --> 01:16:21,326
[source] They just found inmate
James Sales dead in his cell.
979
01:16:22,744 --> 01:16:24,371
I was told by nursing staff
980
01:16:24,496 --> 01:16:28,333
he was bleeding from his
rectum, mouth, and nose.
981
01:16:30,335 --> 01:16:32,838
He was Steven Davis' cellmate
982
01:16:32,921 --> 01:16:35,591
when Steven was beaten
to death by officers.
983
01:16:36,842 --> 01:16:39,303
Since then, he was convinced
984
01:16:39,386 --> 01:16:41,013
that the Department
of Corrections
985
01:16:41,096 --> 01:16:45,183
was trying to kill him
and begging to be transferred.
986
01:16:46,018 --> 01:16:49,896
He was scheduled for release
less than a month away.
987
01:17:35,942 --> 01:17:38,278
[ambient traffic noises]
988
01:17:38,987 --> 01:17:40,364
[printer whirring]
989
01:17:42,658 --> 01:17:45,494
[Hank]
This is James Sales' autopsy.
990
01:17:46,411 --> 01:17:51,333
Young guy. No drugs.
No injuries.
991
01:17:52,084 --> 01:17:54,586
Cause of death: undetermined.
992
01:17:54,670 --> 01:17:57,297
Somebody this close to release,
this young,
993
01:17:57,422 --> 01:17:59,800
no other health problems
just suddenly drops dead,
994
01:17:59,925 --> 01:18:01,968
just doesn't sit right with me.
995
01:18:02,761 --> 01:18:06,973
He's like a poster child
for how fucked up,
996
01:18:07,099 --> 01:18:09,685
how totally fucked up
this system is.
997
01:18:09,768 --> 01:18:11,269
[somber music playing]
998
01:18:11,353 --> 01:18:14,022
Mr. Sales committed
a minor crime,
999
01:18:14,773 --> 01:18:17,484
breaking into
an unoccupied building.
1000
01:18:18,860 --> 01:18:20,320
Didn't hurt anybody,
1001
01:18:20,445 --> 01:18:23,448
doesn't even appear he
necessarily even took anything.
1002
01:18:23,990 --> 01:18:26,201
And then he gets 15 years?
1003
01:18:26,952 --> 01:18:30,372
And then he's put
in the highest security prison
1004
01:18:30,455 --> 01:18:31,957
in the state of Alabama?
1005
01:18:33,291 --> 01:18:36,336
This guy needed rehabilitation.
1006
01:18:36,461 --> 01:18:39,589
He didn't need
to be put in the worst hellhole
1007
01:18:39,673 --> 01:18:42,008
in the Department
of Corrections system.
1008
01:18:43,677 --> 01:18:45,220
And then he had to witness
1009
01:18:45,971 --> 01:18:47,973
Steven Davis get murdered
right in front of him.
1010
01:18:52,477 --> 01:18:54,396
[man]
1011
01:19:12,080 --> 01:19:14,458
Most of the coincidences
I run into
1012
01:19:14,541 --> 01:19:16,668
don't turn out
to be coincidences.
1013
01:19:16,752 --> 01:19:19,963
[ominous music playing]
1014
01:19:28,346 --> 01:19:31,600
[ambient traffic noises]
1015
01:19:33,602 --> 01:19:37,355
[tractor rumbling]
1016
01:19:51,036 --> 01:19:53,789
[inmates chatting]
1017
01:19:54,581 --> 01:19:57,125
[Robert Earl]
1018
01:20:16,394 --> 01:20:19,022
[slow dramatic music playing]
1019
01:22:14,763 --> 01:22:16,640
[music fades out]
1020
01:22:23,855 --> 01:22:26,775
[Sandy] It's been almost
three years since Stevie died.
1021
01:22:28,902 --> 01:22:30,612
We finally have a meeting
1022
01:22:30,695 --> 01:22:32,948
with the Attorney General
Steve Marshall's office
1023
01:22:34,032 --> 01:22:36,201
to let us know if they're going
to press charges
1024
01:22:36,284 --> 01:22:38,620
against the people
that killed Stevie.
1025
01:22:40,622 --> 01:22:43,917
I want to hear how
they can explain stomping him.
1026
01:22:45,543 --> 01:22:47,045
How that's not murder.
1027
01:22:48,463 --> 01:22:52,175
How he deserved that. You know?
1028
01:22:52,717 --> 01:22:56,221
Tell me how he deserved
being stomped to death.
1029
01:22:58,431 --> 01:23:00,809
It's the cruelty of it all.
1030
01:23:20,662 --> 01:23:24,082
He did explain to me how they...
[inhales]
1031
01:23:24,165 --> 01:23:26,042
Hang on... [coughs]
1032
01:23:26,126 --> 01:23:27,877
How they, uh... [coughs]
1033
01:23:31,631 --> 01:23:33,425
How they...
1034
01:23:34,426 --> 01:23:37,721
[exhales] I need air.
1035
01:23:38,596 --> 01:23:40,724
How they... [inhales]
1036
01:23:42,434 --> 01:23:44,269
[choking up]
How they investigated.
1037
01:23:44,352 --> 01:23:47,856
They told me the story,
from their view,
1038
01:23:48,940 --> 01:23:50,567
with their investigators.
1039
01:23:50,650 --> 01:23:52,569
They told me why he died.
1040
01:23:52,652 --> 01:23:55,739
[somber music playing]
1041
01:23:56,948 --> 01:23:59,075
Stevie was attacking them
to kill them,
1042
01:23:59,159 --> 01:24:00,910
so they had to kill him.
1043
01:24:00,994 --> 01:24:02,412
There's a law
1044
01:24:02,495 --> 01:24:04,247
that if someone's trying
to kill you
1045
01:24:04,330 --> 01:24:07,709
and you kill them back,
you kill them,
1046
01:24:07,792 --> 01:24:09,461
it's a Stand Your Ground law.
1047
01:24:09,544 --> 01:24:11,880
He says Alabama has
a Stand Your Ground law
1048
01:24:11,963 --> 01:24:14,632
that we adopted from Florida.
1049
01:24:18,136 --> 01:24:20,180
They told me
the whole horrible story.
1050
01:24:22,307 --> 01:24:24,726
What they say happened.
1051
01:24:33,026 --> 01:24:35,320
[music fades out]
1052
01:24:35,403 --> 01:24:38,740
[contemplative music playing]
1053
01:24:53,379 --> 01:24:54,756
[cicadas chirping]
1054
01:24:54,839 --> 01:24:57,050
[Robert Earl]
1055
01:25:41,928 --> 01:25:44,347
- [music stops]
- [phone vibrating]
1056
01:25:56,401 --> 01:25:58,027
[vibrating continues]
1057
01:26:02,407 --> 01:26:04,701
- [indistinct chatter]
- [phone beeping]
1058
01:26:04,784 --> 01:26:07,162
[automated voice]
There are 11 participants
1059
01:26:07,245 --> 01:26:08,621
in the conference.
1060
01:26:08,746 --> 01:26:09,747
[phone beeps]
1061
01:26:35,940 --> 01:26:38,109
[contemplative music playing]
1062
01:26:38,776 --> 01:26:40,945
- [caller] Yeah.
- [Robert Earl]
1063
01:26:45,992 --> 01:26:47,285
[caller] Okay.
1064
01:27:11,392 --> 01:27:12,477
[caller] Correct.
1065
01:27:34,666 --> 01:27:37,877
We've always understood
that our labor
1066
01:27:38,002 --> 01:27:39,754
is what this is all about.
1067
01:27:47,929 --> 01:27:49,889
[Robert Earl]
They give you a job.
1068
01:27:50,014 --> 01:27:53,059
It doesn't matter if the job
is dangerous.
1069
01:27:53,184 --> 01:27:55,395
It doesn't matter
if you're sick.
1070
01:27:55,520 --> 01:27:57,021
You can be written
a disciplinary
1071
01:27:57,105 --> 01:27:58,856
for refusing to work
1072
01:27:59,857 --> 01:28:02,110
and placed
in solitary confinement.
1073
01:28:03,528 --> 01:28:06,072
And it's not just prison jobs.
1074
01:28:07,031 --> 01:28:08,241
A lot of prisoners
1075
01:28:08,366 --> 01:28:11,911
are being leased out
to corporations.
1076
01:28:13,204 --> 01:28:15,123
Or to do state work.
1077
01:28:16,791 --> 01:28:19,252
[man]
1078
01:28:31,723 --> 01:28:34,225
[string trimmer buzzing]
1079
01:28:37,395 --> 01:28:39,897
[Robert Earl] Kay Ivey being
so afraid of prisoners
1080
01:28:39,981 --> 01:28:42,775
being so dangerous,
and all the murderers
1081
01:28:42,900 --> 01:28:45,111
and rapists, you don't want them
in your community.
1082
01:28:45,236 --> 01:28:46,404
Well, you got a group of them
1083
01:28:46,487 --> 01:28:49,157
that's walking around
your mansion every day.
1084
01:28:51,242 --> 01:28:53,786
[somber music playing]
1085
01:28:56,122 --> 01:28:57,999
[man]
1086
01:29:13,931 --> 01:29:15,808
[ducks quacking]
1087
01:29:21,105 --> 01:29:22,940
[producer] In your mind,
can people be
1088
01:29:23,024 --> 01:29:25,026
genuinely rehabilitated?
1089
01:29:26,277 --> 01:29:28,654
I don't know that I can speak
to that specifically.
1090
01:29:28,780 --> 01:29:32,116
I mean, look, I think anybody
can have a change of heart.
1091
01:29:32,200 --> 01:29:35,119
I'll say that.
I think God can invade somebody.
1092
01:29:35,203 --> 01:29:37,747
I believe in the concept
of grace.
1093
01:29:37,830 --> 01:29:40,958
But grace itself doesn't mean
release from prison.
1094
01:29:41,042 --> 01:29:44,087
Grace means that you're relieved
from the burden of your sin.
1095
01:29:44,170 --> 01:29:47,382
[meditative music playing]
1096
01:29:47,465 --> 01:29:49,884
[Robert Earl]
1097
01:30:07,485 --> 01:30:09,237
[tense music playing]
1098
01:30:18,079 --> 01:30:20,540
[Robert Earl]
1099
01:30:27,338 --> 01:30:28,423
[caller]
1100
01:30:28,506 --> 01:30:29,966
- Right.
- [caller]
1101
01:30:32,176 --> 01:30:33,177
Mm-hmm.
1102
01:30:39,892 --> 01:30:42,687
[Robert Earl]
1103
01:30:49,861 --> 01:30:53,322
[phone dinging]
1104
01:30:54,031 --> 01:30:55,700
This is to force Alabama
1105
01:30:55,783 --> 01:30:59,078
to address this
humanitarian crisis right now.
1106
01:30:59,203 --> 01:31:03,124
Not when a judge rules
on a lawsuit. Right now.
1107
01:31:03,207 --> 01:31:05,209
We dying right now.
1108
01:31:11,966 --> 01:31:15,011
[birds chirping]
1109
01:31:17,597 --> 01:31:21,517
[Trey] Any work done
by any incarcerated individual
1110
01:31:21,601 --> 01:31:26,230
is prohibited
from this day forward.
1111
01:31:26,314 --> 01:31:28,274
Alabama inmates are on strike.
1112
01:31:28,399 --> 01:31:31,152
It is affecting every major
prison facility in the state.
1113
01:31:31,235 --> 01:31:33,613
[reporter 1]
The unprecedented system-wide
1114
01:31:33,738 --> 01:31:36,908
worker stoppage sending
a message to lawmakers.
1115
01:31:36,991 --> 01:31:39,702
Some are saying this protest
has been a long time coming
1116
01:31:39,785 --> 01:31:41,579
after the U.S. Department
of Justice's lawsuit
1117
01:31:41,662 --> 01:31:43,748
against Alabama
over its prison conditions.
1118
01:31:43,831 --> 01:31:46,709
Inmates have refused to show up
for work in the kitchen,
1119
01:31:46,792 --> 01:31:48,711
doing laundry, or anything else.
1120
01:31:49,337 --> 01:31:51,339
[phone dinging]
1121
01:31:52,965 --> 01:31:55,426
[Robert Earl]
1122
01:32:09,106 --> 01:32:10,733
[indistinct chatter]
1123
01:32:24,163 --> 01:32:25,831
♪ And we praying... ♪
1124
01:32:25,957 --> 01:32:29,335
[in unison]
♪ I got Jesus on my mind ♪
1125
01:32:29,460 --> 01:32:31,629
♪ In truth, yeah, we praying ♪
1126
01:32:31,712 --> 01:32:34,799
[in unison]
♪ I got Jesus on my mind ♪
1127
01:32:34,882 --> 01:32:36,968
[Robert Earl]
1128
01:32:37,051 --> 01:32:38,344
[chuckles]
1129
01:32:40,805 --> 01:32:42,515
[Melvin]
1130
01:32:45,685 --> 01:32:47,812
[reporter 1] Inmates in Alabama
are demanding
1131
01:32:47,895 --> 01:32:50,189
the U.S. Justice
Department intervene
1132
01:32:50,314 --> 01:32:52,108
and put an immediate stop to,
1133
01:32:52,191 --> 01:32:54,569
quote, Alabama's
systematic denial
1134
01:32:54,652 --> 01:32:56,153
of human and dignity rights.
1135
01:32:56,696 --> 01:32:58,864
[reporter 2] The Governor's
Office said that the demands
1136
01:32:58,990 --> 01:33:00,199
are, quote, unreasonable.
1137
01:33:01,033 --> 01:33:04,954
As far as the demands,
they were reasonable.
1138
01:33:05,037 --> 01:33:08,457
It wasn't, "Let me go
or I'm gonna kill somebody."
1139
01:33:08,541 --> 01:33:10,167
It was just,
"Here are some things
1140
01:33:10,251 --> 01:33:11,794
that we'd like you to look at.
1141
01:33:11,877 --> 01:33:13,963
And we're protesting
because of that."
1142
01:33:16,007 --> 01:33:17,717
[Melvin]
1143
01:33:34,525 --> 01:33:36,027
[fast-paced music playing]
1144
01:33:36,110 --> 01:33:38,237
We know the injustices
and the corruption
1145
01:33:38,362 --> 01:33:40,698
that's going on in
the Department of Corrections.
1146
01:33:40,823 --> 01:33:43,326
[reporter] Today in Montgomery,
family members rallied
1147
01:33:43,409 --> 01:33:45,995
on behalf of inmates,
saying they won't be working
1148
01:33:46,078 --> 01:33:47,997
until the Alabama Department
of Corrections
1149
01:33:48,080 --> 01:33:50,541
makes changes and improvements.
1150
01:34:01,469 --> 01:34:03,346
[music intensifies]
1151
01:34:21,739 --> 01:34:23,783
[man]
1152
01:34:25,826 --> 01:34:28,496
[phone dinging]
1153
01:34:29,246 --> 01:34:31,165
[reporter]
ADOC officials scrambling
1154
01:34:31,248 --> 01:34:33,501
to come up with a plan
to manage operations
1155
01:34:33,584 --> 01:34:35,503
if inmates refuse to work.
1156
01:34:35,586 --> 01:34:37,672
[music stops]
1157
01:34:37,755 --> 01:34:40,091
[phone dialer beeping]
1158
01:34:40,174 --> 01:34:43,094
[automated voice] Conference
will begin momentarily.
1159
01:34:44,345 --> 01:34:45,596
[beeps]
1160
01:34:45,680 --> 01:34:46,931
[caller]
1161
01:34:47,431 --> 01:34:49,517
[Robert Earl]
1162
01:34:52,853 --> 01:34:53,896
[phone dings]
1163
01:34:57,942 --> 01:34:59,318
[Raoul]
1164
01:35:04,031 --> 01:35:05,908
[Robert Earl]
1165
01:35:09,453 --> 01:35:12,832
[reporter] ADOC says the changes
are logistical,
1166
01:35:12,957 --> 01:35:15,751
but a correctional officer
who spoke with us off camera,
1167
01:35:15,835 --> 01:35:18,671
fearing retaliation,
believes that administrators
1168
01:35:18,796 --> 01:35:21,799
are intentionally dragging out
the feeding schedules
1169
01:35:21,882 --> 01:35:23,676
so at times, inmates are waiting
1170
01:35:23,801 --> 01:35:25,970
up to 14 hours between meals,
1171
01:35:26,053 --> 01:35:27,722
as a way to break
this strike here.
1172
01:35:29,390 --> 01:35:30,808
[man] We've been saving up food
1173
01:35:30,891 --> 01:35:32,643
for the folks
that might need some food.
1174
01:35:34,353 --> 01:35:36,397
So that folks know
that they're not in this alone,
1175
01:35:36,480 --> 01:35:37,773
we're all in this together.
1176
01:35:40,234 --> 01:35:41,527
[man 1]
1177
01:35:44,739 --> 01:35:45,740
[man 2]
1178
01:35:45,823 --> 01:35:47,074
[man 1]
1179
01:35:57,001 --> 01:35:58,753
[man]
1180
01:36:17,897 --> 01:36:20,983
- [music fades out]
- [cicadas chirping]
1181
01:36:24,195 --> 01:36:25,279
[man]
1182
01:36:25,362 --> 01:36:27,406
[Raoul]
1183
01:36:30,201 --> 01:36:31,744
[reporter] Weekend visitations
at prisons
1184
01:36:31,869 --> 01:36:34,538
all across Alabama
are canceled.
1185
01:36:34,622 --> 01:36:36,749
The administrators are trying
to put the pressure
1186
01:36:36,874 --> 01:36:40,002
on some of the inmates
to make them go back to work.
1187
01:36:59,563 --> 01:37:00,731
[phone dings]
1188
01:37:02,608 --> 01:37:05,069
[reporter 1] Day five
of the Alabama Department
1189
01:37:05,152 --> 01:37:06,779
of Corrections protest
continues.
1190
01:37:06,904 --> 01:37:08,280
[reporter 2]
Special response team
1191
01:37:08,405 --> 01:37:09,824
is actually inside Limestone
1192
01:37:09,907 --> 01:37:11,450
right now doing a major search.
1193
01:37:11,575 --> 01:37:13,327
[clamoring]
1194
01:37:13,410 --> 01:37:16,497
The team is traveling
to each of the prisons.
1195
01:37:25,256 --> 01:37:27,007
[man]
1196
01:37:48,445 --> 01:37:52,825
- [indistinct yelling]
- [banging]
1197
01:37:53,492 --> 01:37:55,494
[man]
1198
01:38:00,791 --> 01:38:02,209
[phone dings]
1199
01:38:05,170 --> 01:38:06,380
[phone dings]
1200
01:38:31,322 --> 01:38:35,117
[cicadas chirping]
1201
01:38:37,995 --> 01:38:40,164
[radio announcer]
Live and local, Talk 99.5.
1202
01:38:40,289 --> 01:38:42,833
[radio host 1] Alabama prisoners
are refusing to work.
1203
01:38:42,917 --> 01:38:44,919
Eventually, they'll get tired
of the food
1204
01:38:45,002 --> 01:38:47,171
that is being prepared
by the handful of employees,
1205
01:38:47,713 --> 01:38:49,882
- and they'll get back to work.
- [radio host 2] Yeah.
1206
01:38:50,007 --> 01:38:51,383
You're not in any position
1207
01:38:51,508 --> 01:38:54,970
to make any demands.
You're in prison. [laughs]
1208
01:38:55,054 --> 01:38:58,015
Continue to serve the meals,
continue to do the laundry.
1209
01:38:58,098 --> 01:38:59,433
[radio host 1]
Look down at your legs.
1210
01:38:59,516 --> 01:39:01,352
Are there shackles?
Not really in a position
1211
01:39:01,435 --> 01:39:03,312
to do anything about it.
Sorry about that.
1212
01:39:04,188 --> 01:39:05,856
[foreboding music playing]
1213
01:39:05,981 --> 01:39:08,609
[reporter] It's now week two
of the Alabama state prison
1214
01:39:08,692 --> 01:39:10,110
inmate work strike.
1215
01:39:10,903 --> 01:39:12,947
Everything's still operational.
1216
01:39:13,030 --> 01:39:15,449
There's no disruption
in essential services.
1217
01:40:10,587 --> 01:40:12,631
[reporter] I'm told
by current staff members
1218
01:40:12,756 --> 01:40:14,258
things have stayed
pretty nonviolent
1219
01:40:14,341 --> 01:40:15,801
inside these prison walls.
1220
01:40:15,926 --> 01:40:18,679
But they say that this
just cannot keep going
1221
01:40:18,762 --> 01:40:20,097
the way it is right now.
1222
01:40:20,180 --> 01:40:22,474
There's just too much stress
on this system
1223
01:40:22,599 --> 01:40:25,686
without the inmates helping out
and doing those jobs.
1224
01:40:25,769 --> 01:40:28,355
[grim music playing]
1225
01:40:31,108 --> 01:40:33,819
- [indistinct yelling]
- [Raoul]
1226
01:40:37,823 --> 01:40:38,866
[sighs]
1227
01:40:59,636 --> 01:41:01,847
[somber music playing]
1228
01:41:07,311 --> 01:41:09,188
- [phone dings]
- [Omar]
1229
01:41:15,569 --> 01:41:16,904
[dings]
1230
01:41:25,871 --> 01:41:27,331
[man 1]
1231
01:41:29,833 --> 01:41:31,627
[man 2]
1232
01:41:37,174 --> 01:41:38,759
[reporter] Work stoppage
is slowing down,
1233
01:41:38,842 --> 01:41:40,511
with inmates
at only a handful of prisons
1234
01:41:40,594 --> 01:41:42,221
continuing their protest.
1235
01:41:43,388 --> 01:41:45,516
[Martin]
1236
01:41:54,858 --> 01:41:56,068
[dings]
1237
01:42:05,702 --> 01:42:07,579
[reporter] Work stoppage
by inmates
1238
01:42:07,704 --> 01:42:10,082
at Alabama prisons is fading.
1239
01:42:10,207 --> 01:42:12,501
There are now
just five lockups affected.
1240
01:42:13,544 --> 01:42:15,379
[Miles]
1241
01:42:21,552 --> 01:42:22,928
[reporter]
State prison officials say
1242
01:42:23,053 --> 01:42:24,179
only two facilities
1243
01:42:24,263 --> 01:42:26,306
are now
experiencing stoppages.
1244
01:42:30,394 --> 01:42:32,354
[wind whooshing]
1245
01:42:34,314 --> 01:42:37,693
[slow dramatic music playing]
1246
01:42:47,077 --> 01:42:48,704
[Robert Earl]
1247
01:43:27,826 --> 01:43:29,786
[music fades out]
1248
01:43:29,870 --> 01:43:32,623
- [birds twittering]
- [slow music playing]
1249
01:43:33,790 --> 01:43:35,667
[reporter 1] Prison operations
are back to normal
1250
01:43:35,792 --> 01:43:38,128
after a three-week-long
inmate protest.
1251
01:43:38,712 --> 01:43:41,089
[reporter 2]
Inmates had hoped their protest
1252
01:43:41,173 --> 01:43:43,842
would spur some action
by lawmakers and ADOC leaders.
1253
01:43:43,967 --> 01:43:45,219
But that didn't really happen.
1254
01:43:46,220 --> 01:43:47,638
[radio host 2]
You are a prisoner.
1255
01:43:47,721 --> 01:43:49,014
You did commit a crime.
1256
01:43:49,139 --> 01:43:50,807
[radio host 1] You're in prison.
It's prison.
1257
01:43:50,891 --> 01:43:52,226
It's supposed to suck.
1258
01:43:52,309 --> 01:43:54,102
[radio host 2] Shipshape.
Let's go. Chop, chop.
1259
01:43:54,186 --> 01:43:56,021
[radio host 1]
You sure showed the man.
1260
01:43:56,146 --> 01:43:57,439
Well done.
1261
01:44:19,336 --> 01:44:21,004
[music fades out]
1262
01:44:22,506 --> 01:44:25,259
[marching band playing]
1263
01:44:32,683 --> 01:44:35,560
[reporter 1] It's Inauguration
Day in Alabama.
1264
01:44:35,686 --> 01:44:38,355
Steve Marshall
with his family there with him.
1265
01:44:39,356 --> 01:44:42,943
Gov. Kay Ivey will officially
be sworn into office.
1266
01:44:43,819 --> 01:44:46,071
[reporter 2] A landslide victory
for Kay Ivey,
1267
01:44:46,196 --> 01:44:48,323
galvanizing her two terms here
1268
01:44:48,407 --> 01:44:50,784
as governor
in the state of Alabama.
1269
01:44:52,035 --> 01:44:54,413
[Ivey] The primary function
of all levels of government
1270
01:44:54,538 --> 01:44:56,873
is to keep our citizens safe.
1271
01:44:57,958 --> 01:45:01,044
Just last week, I signed
an executive order
1272
01:45:01,128 --> 01:45:04,506
to ensure violent criminals
remain off the streets.
1273
01:45:04,589 --> 01:45:07,050
[cheers and applause]
1274
01:45:45,088 --> 01:45:46,923
You can change the name of it
1275
01:45:47,007 --> 01:45:49,885
but the undergirdings of it
are the same.
1276
01:45:50,594 --> 01:45:52,429
Exploitation.
1277
01:45:52,512 --> 01:45:55,140
And they're getting rich
all the way to the bank.
1278
01:45:55,265 --> 01:45:57,267
And they're laughing at us
who are talking
1279
01:45:57,351 --> 01:45:59,394
about truth and justice.
1280
01:45:59,478 --> 01:46:02,981
[somber music playing]
1281
01:46:09,988 --> 01:46:12,532
[vigil speaker] Everyone
who is here is standing
1282
01:46:12,616 --> 01:46:15,869
with the family members
that we have lost
1283
01:46:15,952 --> 01:46:17,454
in Alabama's prisons.
1284
01:46:24,127 --> 01:46:25,712
[Robert Earl]
1285
01:46:37,724 --> 01:46:41,895
[man] This is E.M.C.F.,
correctional facility.
1286
01:46:41,978 --> 01:46:44,231
The Louisiana
State Prison in Angola.
1287
01:46:45,399 --> 01:46:48,860
[man 2] What's up, man.
We need y'all's help, man.
1288
01:46:48,985 --> 01:46:50,821
[Robert Earl] Let me be clear
when I tell you
1289
01:46:50,904 --> 01:46:54,032
that the things that you see
taking place in Alabama
1290
01:46:54,157 --> 01:46:57,369
and worse
are taking place in your state,
1291
01:46:57,494 --> 01:46:59,121
and in your name.
1292
01:47:00,205 --> 01:47:01,706
[blow lands]
1293
01:47:01,832 --> 01:47:03,667
- [indistinct yelling]
- [banging]
1294
01:47:03,750 --> 01:47:05,877
[taser fires, zapping]
1295
01:47:06,002 --> 01:47:08,713
[grunting]
1296
01:47:08,839 --> 01:47:10,924
[Robert Earl]
It's not beneficial to anyone.
1297
01:47:11,007 --> 01:47:13,301
Not to the jailer,
1298
01:47:13,844 --> 01:47:15,762
not to the people
who were harmed,
1299
01:47:16,680 --> 01:47:18,140
not to society.
1300
01:47:20,600 --> 01:47:23,645
No one benefits
from this version
1301
01:47:23,728 --> 01:47:25,647
of what they call "justice."
1302
01:47:27,023 --> 01:47:28,984
[man 1]
1303
01:47:31,945 --> 01:47:33,738
[man 2]
1304
01:47:39,619 --> 01:47:42,164
Whatever your opinion is
about this film,
1305
01:47:43,248 --> 01:47:45,625
it would not have been possible
1306
01:47:45,709 --> 01:47:50,839
if we didn't violate the rules
to get the story out.
1307
01:48:05,270 --> 01:48:07,314
[Robert Earl]
1308
01:48:43,099 --> 01:48:44,768
[indistinct yelling]
1309
01:48:52,526 --> 01:48:55,737
- [somber music playing]
- [Sandy] Come here, kitty.
1310
01:49:09,960 --> 01:49:11,670
[attorney]
Do you know who this is?
1311
01:49:12,629 --> 01:49:13,880
No.
1312
01:49:17,175 --> 01:49:18,635
No, I don't.
1313
01:49:22,639 --> 01:49:24,474
I don't. No.
1314
01:49:40,865 --> 01:49:42,158
Hey.
1315
01:49:42,284 --> 01:49:43,910
[producer] How are you?
1316
01:50:00,343 --> 01:50:02,012
Hey, Papa Smooth.
1317
01:50:02,679 --> 01:50:04,097
This is Papa Smooth.
1318
01:50:04,180 --> 01:50:06,558
Papa Smooth, you don't want
to be on no video, do you?
1319
01:50:06,683 --> 01:50:08,935
- [talking indistinctly]
- [laughs]
1320
01:50:09,769 --> 01:50:12,397
Now that's Papa Smooth,
he really, really grouchy.
1321
01:50:12,522 --> 01:50:14,024
[laughs]
1322
01:50:28,788 --> 01:50:30,290
- Hold on.
- [producer] Okay.
1323
01:50:30,373 --> 01:50:33,835
Hold on one second.
Don't talk. Don't talk.
1324
01:50:46,056 --> 01:50:47,515
[birds twittering]
1325
01:50:47,599 --> 01:50:49,559
[reporter 1] The cost
of a new Alabama prison
1326
01:50:49,643 --> 01:50:53,313
is up to one billion dollars.
1327
01:50:53,396 --> 01:50:56,191
[reporter 2] At this rate,
the price of all three
1328
01:50:56,274 --> 01:50:59,527
of the new prisons could triple
the original estimate.
1329
01:51:00,278 --> 01:51:02,530
[reporter 3]
Governor Kay Ivey is suggesting
1330
01:51:02,614 --> 01:51:05,158
state lawmakers use money
from the education budget.
1331
01:51:06,159 --> 01:51:08,161
[interviewee] You're literally
robbing our children
1332
01:51:08,244 --> 01:51:10,205
to pay for these new prisons.
1333
01:51:10,830 --> 01:51:12,874
And are you still supporting
the $100 million
1334
01:51:12,957 --> 01:51:15,001
going to the prisons
from the Education Fund?
1335
01:51:15,085 --> 01:51:16,127
Sure.
1336
01:51:32,268 --> 01:51:35,605
[melancholy music playing]
1337
01:51:39,609 --> 01:51:41,319
[music fades out]
1338
01:51:44,322 --> 01:51:47,575
[fast-paced music playing]