While the state government’s executive branch continues to grapple with the Department of Justice’s scrutiny and possible legal action over Alabama’s prison system, it continues to be a front-burner topic in the realm of the legislative branch, as well.

Reportedly, Gov. Kay Ivey will sign a deal on a lease-build proposal as early as Monday without the consent of the Alabama Legislature on the day before it is set to begin the 2021 regular session. State Sen. Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville), who is expected to be elected by his colleagues to serve as the upper chamber’s majority leader, applauded Ivey for her efforts during an appearance on Mobile radio’s FM Talk 106.5.

Scofield warned the level of scrutiny under the Democrat Biden administration could be much different from that of the prior Trump administration.

“I’m glad that the Governor has made this a priority because it is a real issue,” he said. “It was one thing to be under federal scrutiny for our prisons under the Trump administration. It’s a completely different situation under the Biden administration. And we all know what that means. And frankly, my fear the whole time has been if we do not fix this, then the Fed is going to come in and tell us how to fix it. And then we’re going to have to write the check. And I guarantee you that check we’re going to have to write is going to be much bigger than the one that has input from Alabamians, from the Governor’s administration.”

“We’re looking at it,” Scofield continued. “They have done a good job of communicating with us about it. There are some upsides to it. There are downsides to it. But prisons are not something that really sells with the taxpayers. What the taxpayers need to understand, what we need to prioritize is make sure their tax dollars are going to be spent wisely and if it’s going to help get us out from federal scrutiny. Frankly, we don’t need to be in a position where they make us turn out criminals because we’re overcapacity. I mean, to me, that would be an absolute disaster.”

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.