[tps_title]5. Prison Reform[/tps_title]

The prison reform law, sponsored by Sen. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) and signed by the governor, will lower the Alabama prison population from about 190 percent of designed capacity to about 160 percent over five years, reducing the possibility of a federal court takeover.

“Inaction could have led to mandates by a federal court that would have draconian financial implications for business and all Alabama taxpayers,” Canary said.