The Alabama Solution

This film is the result of a unique series of communications over years with several prisoners in the Alabama prison system. Through contraband audio and video dispatches, among other recordings, we learn of conditions and events that filmmakers and journalists would otherwise be prevented from investigating and reporting. The harrowing story reveals corruption endemic to Alabama prisons, and prisons all over the United States. "The Alabama Solution" shows what so many states work hard to conceal.

Ultimately, the filmmakers, and especially the prisoners who appear in the film, may not be rewarded for the courage it took to tell this story. Perhaps what really matters is that Americans see what happens behind the prison walls and in the corridors of state government, at all costs. Maybe by seeing it, we can move closer to accountability for it.

I am writing emails to everyone I can think of bc this is insane that this is going on. Thank you for bringing awareness! I am all for victims rights and justice but we CANNOT treat these prisoners like slaves or they are not human beings. This is outrageous and this is shameful and embarrassing. Praying for all those who risked their lives to bring awareness.

This documentary shows the perspectives of people imprisoned in the violently corrupt American prison system in Alabama. It is so important to amplify the voices of those who have been disappeared and deemed worthless and expendable by society. If being labeled a "criminal" justifies any and all violence against you, what rights do any of us have? Are prisons really something beneficial in any way to anyone other than the abusive people running them and profiting off them? Do they help protect us? Or do they just allow truly violent people the ability to murder and harm with impunity?

As "The Alabama Solution" (2025 release; 115 min.) opens, we are in "Alabama, 2019", specifically at the Easterling state prison. Inmates are complaining about the heat and the horrendous living conditions in general. Along the way we learn that the 14 Alabama state prisons are occupied at 200% occupation, with only 1/3 of the required staff. We are introduced to Robert Earl Council, who has been in prison over 30 years, the 5 last of which in solitary confinement. At this point we are 10 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from award-winning Andrew Jarecki ("Capturing the Friedmans", "The Jinx: The Life and Death of Robert Durst"). He co-directed, co-wrote and co-produced it with Charlotte Kaufman. This documentary is the result of about a decade's worth of collecting footage that the inmates have secretly caught on their cell phones (even though cell phone are prohibited--as are drugs, equally amply available). The central case of the documentary centers on Steven Davis, who was beaten, bludgeoned and stomped to death by prison guards, after which the authorities covered it up as best as they could (and as they always did with many other such "incidents"). When the US Department of Justice starts an investigation, the Alabama Republican machinery works overtime to delay, deny and impede the investigation with every means available, insisting instead that "an Alabama problem calls for an Alabama Solution". And what problem are they referring to? Just watch! Please note that this makes for difficult viewing at times, not to mention that it will make your blood boil, as the Alabama so-called "Christian" political leaders behave in a way that is anything but "Christian". For shame.

"The Alabama Solution" premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival to immediate and widespread critical acclaim. It is currently rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The documentary started airing on HBO this weekend, and it's also streaming on HBO Max, where I watched it last night. If you are interested in understanding what is going on in the Alabama prison system, yes, right here in the United States of America, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

I did like the movie and I do believe that prisoners do have basic human rights and should be in conditions suitable for humans. Unfortunately, if crimes are committed, there are consequences however how unfair that may seem. That being said the prison system does not to be addressed and drug offender should be put in treatment first.