The state’s 17 prison systems don’t have working fire alarm systems, an obvious code violation, lawmakers were told this morning during a presentation on the crowded, aging facilities.
“It’s pervasive in our system … that we have deficiencies in our fire alarm systems,” Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn said later. “So what we do, we have corrections officers posted throughout and if there’s an issue, we do it through a verbal system. Obviously, if inmates see something, they notify.
“Obviously, we have procedures if we have a fire to evacuate either portions or all of the facility but the aural fire alarms, we have deficiencies around the state.”
Dunn and Gov. Robert Bentley are trying to gather support for the governor’s $800 million bond proposal to build four mega prisons and close most of the existing facilities.