Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

Alabama is one of America’s poorest states. We also have one of the highest incarceration rates. As a state we have prioritized prisons and punishment over prosperity. 

Alabama Appleseed confronts these challenges with research, policy change campaigns, coalition building, and direct action. Our work is focused on: 

1. Economic injustice and the criminalization of poverty
2. Mass incarceration and Alabama’s history of unconstitutional prisons 
3. Racial injustice and systemic racism in laws and policies 
4. Unaccountable government and policing for profit

Additionally, Appleseed is building coalitions in support of smart legislation such as ending debt-related suspensions of drivers licenses, reining in civil asset forfeiture, and fighting the construction of new prisons. 

We've also begun a new project to confront Alabama's Habitual Felony Offender Act and have won relief for six men originally sentenced to life without parole for non-homicide crimes that would bring much shorter sentences today. 

Appleseed believes that Alabamians want our state to be safer and more prosperous. Our research and policy-change campaigns examine drivers of poverty and incarceration and offer evidence-based solutions for a brighter way forward.