Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women is a state facility located in Wetumpka, Alabama, that houses female inmates. The facility was named in honor of Julia S. Tutwiler, a noted Alabama educator and advocate for inmate education, classification, and improving prison conditions. Tutwiler Prison for Women opened in December 1942 and has since become one of the largest women’s prisons in the United States.
As a maximum-security institution, Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women handles all the intake for about 750 female offenders entering the Alabama Department of Corrections. The facility acts as a classification and intake center and also houses Alabama’s female death row inmates.
Due to the nature of its operations, Tutwiler is considered a maximum-security institution. The prison’s primary mission is to provide a safe, secure, and humane environment for the inmates while also offering programs aimed at reducing recidivism and promoting successful reentry into society.
| Security Level | Maximum, Medium |
| Max Capacity | 743 |
| Physical Address | 8966 US Hwy 231 N Wetumpka, AL 36092 |
| Mailing Address | 8966 US Hwy 231 N Wetumpka, AL 36092 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | Yes |
| Visiting Hours | Monday to Friday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm Saturday, Sunday and Federal Holidays: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone | (334) 567-4369 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
The Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women is a maximum-security prison located in Wetumpka, Alabama, operated by the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC). The facility was named after Julia Strudwick Tutwiler, a respected Alabama educator and reformer who advocated for education and prison reform in the state.
Early History
The prison was opened in December 1942 as a facility for women inmates. Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women was originally designed to house 400 inmates, but the number of inmates housed in the facility has grown significantly over the years. In 2015, the prison had an inmate population of over 900.
Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women was initially designed as a rehabilitation center for women inmates. The facility offered educational, vocational, and counseling programs to help inmates prepare for their release and re-entry into society. However, over the years, the prison has come under scrutiny for its poor conditions and treatment of inmates.
Recent History
In recent years, Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women has been the subject of several investigations and lawsuits related to the poor conditions and treatment of inmates. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into the prison after reports of sexual abuse and harassment of inmates by staff members.
In 2015, a federal judge ordered the ADOC to improve conditions at the prison, including providing better medical and mental health care, addressing overcrowding, and reducing the use of segregation. The ADOC has since implemented several reforms, including hiring additional staff, increasing training for staff members, and improving medical and mental health care.
Despite these efforts, Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women continues to face challenges related to overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate resources. The ADOC has acknowledged the need for continued improvements and has committed to working towards providing a safe and rehabilitative environment for inmates.
Overall, the history of Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women reflects the challenges faced by correctional facilities in the United States in providing safe and humane conditions for inmates while also promoting rehabilitation and re-entry into society.
Education and Reform Programs
Partnership with Frontline
In 2014, PBS Frontline aired a documentary titled “Prison State” which focused on the issues of mass incarceration in the US. The documentary featured Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women and highlighted the overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate medical care at the facility. It also showcased the efforts of the prison administration to provide educational and reform programs for inmates.
One of the partnerships that the prison has established to provide education and reform programs is with Frontline. Through this partnership, the prison has been able to offer educational opportunities to incarcerated women, including GED and vocational training programs. The prison has also implemented a reentry program that helps the women prepare for life after their release.
Partnership with The Marshall Project
Another partnership that the prison has established is with The Marshall Project, a non-profit news organization that focuses on criminal justice issues. The partnership has resulted in the production of a series of articles that highlight the challenges faced by incarcerated women, including the lack of access to medical care, mental health services, and educational opportunities.
The articles have also highlighted the efforts of the prison administration to address these issues and provide educational and reform programs. The partnership has helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by incarcerated women and the need for reform in the criminal justice system.
Produced by Elaine McMillion Sheldon
In 2016, filmmaker Elaine McMillion Sheldon produced a short documentary titled “Heroin(e)” which focused on the opioid epidemic in Huntington, West Virginia. The documentary featured the efforts of three women, including a judge, a paramedic, and the director of the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women, to combat the epidemic.
The documentary highlighted the role of the prison in providing educational and reform programs for prisoners who are struggling with addiction. The prison offers a substance abuse treatment program that includes counseling, group therapy, and educational classes.
Visit an Inmate and Commissary
The prison also offers a program called “Visit an Inmate” that allows family members and friends to visit the incarcerated women. The program is designed to help maintain family connections and reduce the isolation experienced by inmates in prison.
In addition, the prison has a commissary program that allows inmates to purchase personal items such as toiletries, snacks, and clothing. The program is designed to provide them with a sense of autonomy and control over their lives while incarcerated.
Overall, the prison has implemented a number of education and reform programs to help prisoners prepare for life after their release. These programs include substance abuse treatment, educational classes, vocational training, and reentry programs. The partnerships with Frontline and The Marshall Project have helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by incarcerated women and the need for reform in the criminal justice system.
Visitation Hours
- Sunday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Monday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Tuesday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Wednesday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Thursday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Federal Holidays 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Mothers and Babies
Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women has been long considered one of the worst female prisons in the United States. Each year, dozens of pregnant women are sentenced to the facility, where they face separation from their newborns soon after giving birth.
The separation of mothers and babies can have a significant impact on both parties. For mothers, it can lead to emotional distress and feelings of guilt and shame. For babies, it can result in attachment issues and developmental delays.
In recent years, Tutwiler has made some changes to improve the situation for pregnant inmates. The prison has worked with the Alabama Prison Birth Project to provide pregnant inmates with support and resources during and after pregnancy. Additionally, Tutwiler has implemented a program that allows non-violent offenders to keep their infants with them in a separate unit of the facility.
Despite these efforts, there are still concerns about the treatment of mothers and babies at Tutwiler. In 2019, the facility was sued by the Southern Poverty Law Center for allegedly subjecting pregnant inmates to inhumane conditions and inadequate medical care. The lawsuit also claimed that babies born at the prison were often placed in unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
Overall, the treatment of mothers and babies at Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women remains a contentious issue. While some improvements have been made, there is still a long way to go to ensure that pregnant inmates receive adequate care and that mothers and babies are not needlessly separated.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Implementation of a program to allow non-violent offenders to keep their infants with them | Allegations of inhumane conditions and inadequate medical care for pregnant inmates |
| Partnership with the Alabama Prison Birth Project to provide support and resources for pregnant inmates | Babies born in prison are often placed in unsafe and unsanitary conditions |
| Recognition of the emotional impact of separating mothers and babies | Tutwiler has a long history of being one of the worst female prisons in the country |