AL House Speaker Blasts Ivey Administration Over Prison Construction, Demands Answers

Editor's Note: This story has been updated from its original publication to include a response from Gov. Kay Ivey, which was released after our initial story was published.

MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter publicly blasted Gov. Kay Ivey's administration Thursday over its handling of the state's troubled prison construction program.

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The longtime lawmaker took aim at state officials, citing a failure to provide adequate transparency while seeking additional taxpayer funding for a second facility.

In a sharply worded statement posted to social media, the Republican from Rainsville said the administration's handling of Alabama's two planned men's prisons has been unacceptable, particularly as the state prepares to commit additional money to construction.

"I think the world of Governor Ivey, but her administration’s handling of the construction of Alabama’s two new men’s prisons is flat out wrong," Ledbetter wrote.

The speaker's criticism comes as the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority (ACIFA) considers issuing $190.19 million in bonds to help finance a second men's prison in Escambia County, despite mounting concerns over delays and cost overruns at the first facility in Elmore County.

Ledbetter shared a two-page letter dated Oct. 29 that he sent to Ivey ahead of Thursday's meeting, which outlined his objections to moving forward with additional financing before lawmakers receive a full accounting of problems with the first project.

In the letter, Ledbetter referenced a July 20 meeting with members of Ivey's staff and Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Greg Lovelace regarding the construction of the new prison at the site of the former Kilby Correctional Complex.

Ledbetter said officials disclosed during that meeting that the facility's projected completion date had been pushed back from October 2026 to sometime between March and May 2027.

He characterized the meeting as a "complete and total chaotic mess," alleging that the Department of Corrections had effectively lost control of the project and was blaming its contractor, Caddell Construction, for falling behind schedule.

Ledbetter also said he had repeatedly expressed concerns about moving forward with construction of the second prison before the state completed its first facility, which he said was already $635 million over budget and a year behind schedule.

"What is disappointing is that, despite having a long and well-documented list of reasons, you have ignored every request from the Legislature to press pause on the construction of the Escambia County facility," Ledbetter wrote.

The speaker went on to question the financial implications of the proposed bond issuance.

According to his letter, the authority voted Oct. 6 to issue $190.19 million in bonds to help fund the second prison, which is now projected to cost close to $1.8 billion.

Ledbetter said that would bring the combined cost of the two new prisons to well over $2 billion, compared with an initial projection of $1.3 billion.

"Committing taxpayers to another major financial obligation under these circumstances, without first addressing the cost overruns, delays, and apparent failures in project management, is an unacceptable risk to public funds and a failure of fiscal accountability," Ledbetter wrote.

He further accused the administration of failing to give legislative leaders sufficient opportunity to review the proposed financing before the authority's meeting.

"Legislative leadership has not been given the opportunity to review a single change order or site rendering," he wrote. "We do not even know what we are being asked to pay for."

Ledbetter also criticized the meeting's timing, saying it was called just two days beforehand.

"That is the opposite of transparency," he wrote.

Despite his objections, Ledbetter emphasized that he supports the state's broader effort to replace its aging prison infrastructure.

"No one is disputing that Alabama needs new prisons, but this is simply not the way to go about it," he wrote.

The public criticism represents a significant challenge from one of Alabama's most powerful Republican lawmakers to the administration of a governor from his own party.

Alabama's prison construction initiative was approved as part of a sweeping legislative effort to address longstanding problems with overcrowding, deteriorating facilities and unconstitutional conditions within the state's correctional system.

However, the rising costs and construction delays have prompted fresh questions about the program's financial sustainability and oversight.

Ledbetter concluded his public statement by reiterating that taxpayers deserve answers before the state assumes additional debt.

"Taxpayers deserve to understand what has transpired during the failed construction of the first facility before they are asked to foot the bill for a second," he wrote.

GOVERNOR RESPONDS

Ivey defended her administration's handling of the prison construction program Thursday, following a 6-1 vote by the ACIFA to approve the construction contract for the new Escambia County men's prison.

In a statement issued following the vote and Ledbetter's letter being made public, Ivey characterized the decision as a significant step toward addressing longstanding problems within Alabama's prison system.

"Today's action gives the green light for building construction on the Escambia facility to go forward," Ivey said. "This major, positive step enhances the state's capabilities and allows us to better manage the violent individuals that are sentenced to the care of Corrections."

The governor also pushed back against criticism surrounding the administration's transparency and financial management, maintaining that the state has followed the framework established by lawmakers in 2021 to construct new men's prisons in Elmore and Escambia counties.

"My Administration has been committed and dually focused on protecting taxpayer dollars while moving forward with these critical and necessary public safety projects," Ivey said. "Throughout the appropriations process over the last five years, I am extremely proud that we have been able to save the money necessary to make these facilities a reality in a fiscally responsible way."

Ivey further emphasized that she considers completing the prison construction program a responsibility her administration cannot afford to postpone.

"While I cannot speak for others, I am someone who refuses to kick the can down the road," Ivey said. "We are doing not only what is now required by law but also what is right and necessary."

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