Limestone Correctional Facility is the largest prison in Alabama, located on 1,600 acres in Harvest, AL. It is a minimum-security prison that houses male inmates. The facility is operated by the Alabama Department of Corrections and has a capacity of 2309 inmates.
Limestone Correctional Facility offers many services to its inmates, including a 90-day reentry program to prepare them for their return to the community. The facility also provides educational and vocational training programs to help inmates gain skills and knowledge that will assist them in finding employment after their release.
Additionally, the prison offers substance abuse treatment and counseling services to help inmates overcome addiction and improve their mental health.
Despite being a minimum-security prison, Limestone Correctional Facility has had its share of controversies over the years. In 2015, the facility was placed on lockdown after a series of violent incidents between inmates.
The prison has also faced criticism for its treatment of mentally ill inmates and for its use of solitary confinement. Despite these issues, Limestone Correctional Facility remains an important part of Alabama’s correctional system and plays a vital role in rehabilitating and reintegrating inmates back into society.
| Security Level | Medium |
| Max Capacity | 2309 |
| Physical Address | 28779 Nick Davis Rd Harvest, AL 35749 |
| Mailing Address | 28779 Nick Davis Rd Harvest, AL 35749 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | Yes |
| Visiting Hours | Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone | (256) 233-4600 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
Limestone Correctional Facility has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s when it was established as a prison farm. The facility is located at 28779 Nick Davis Road in Harvest, Limestone County, Alabama. It became operational in October 1984 and is currently managed by the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Establishment
The establishment of Limestone Correctional Facility was aimed at providing a secure environment for male inmates. The facility covers an area of 1,600 acres of land and has the capacity to house over 2,000 inmates. The facility is approximately ten miles east of Athens and ten miles west of Huntsville, Alabama.
Expansion
In the 1950s, Limestone Correctional Facility underwent a massive renovation and expansion, transforming it into a maximum-security prison. The expansion was aimed at improving the living conditions of the inmates and providing them with better facilities. Today, Limestone Correctional Facility is the largest state prison in Alabama.
Over the years, Limestone Correctional Facility has continued to provide services to the inmates to prepare them for reentry into the community. The facility offers a 90-day reentry program to help inmates transition back into society. The program includes job training and education, counseling, and other services to help inmates become productive members of society.
In conclusion, Limestone Correctional Facility has a history dating back to the early 1900s. The facility has undergone massive expansion and renovation over the years to provide better facilities and living conditions for the inmates. Today, it is the largest state prison in Alabama, providing a secure environment for over 2,000 male inmates.
Facility
Limestone Correctional Facility is a maximum-security state prison located in Harvest, Limestone County, Alabama. The facility opened in October 1984 and has a capacity of 2309 prisoners, making it the largest prison in the Alabama state system. Limestone offers many services, including a 90-day reentry program to prepare inmates for return to the community.
Layout
The facility is located on 1,600 acres of land and has several buildings, including housing units, medical facilities, and administrative buildings. The housing units consist of 12 dormitories and 20 cell blocks. Each dormitory has a capacity of 100 inmates, while each cell block can hold up to 200 inmates. The facility also has a segregation unit, where inmates who violate prison rules are housed.
Security Measures
Limestone Correctional Facility is classified as a maximum-security correctional facility. The facility has several security measures in place to ensure the safety of inmates, staff, and visitors. These measures include:
- Perimeter fencing with razor wire
- 24-hour armed patrols
- Electronic surveillance systems
- Controlled movement of inmates
- Metal detectors and body scanners for visitors
Inmates at Limestone Correctional Facility are required to wear state-issued clothing and shoes. The shoes are designed to be durable and comfortable for long-term wear. Inmates are not allowed to wear personal shoes or clothing.
Visitation at Limestone Correctional Facility is allowed on weekends and holidays. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list and must follow certain rules and regulations, including dress code requirements. The facility also has a video visitation system that allows inmates to communicate with approved visitors remotely.
Tablets are not allowed for use by inmates at Limestone Correctional Facility. However, the facility does offer educational and vocational programs to help inmates develop skills and prepare for reentry into society.
Overall, Limestone Correctional Facility is a well-maintained and secure facility that provides essential services to inmates.
Inmate Services
Limestone Correctional Facility provides a variety of services to inmates to help them improve their lives and prepare for reentry into society. These services include education, treatment, and substance abuse programs.
Education
The facility offers a range of educational programs to inmates, including adult basic education, GED preparation, and vocational training. Inmates can also participate in college courses through partnerships with local community colleges. The facility is committed to providing equal access to education for all inmates, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Treatment
Limestone Correctional Facility provides medical and mental health treatment to all inmates. The facility has a medical unit staffed by licensed healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and mental health providers. Inmates with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to treatment, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Substance Abuse
The facility offers a range of substance abuse programs to inmates, including group therapy, individual counseling, and peer support groups. Inmates can also participate in a residential substance abuse treatment program. The facility is committed to providing equal access to substance abuse treatment for all inmates, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Overall, Limestone Correctional Facility is dedicated to providing inmates with the services they need to improve their lives and prepare for reentry into society. The facility is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, and ensuring that all inmates have equal access to services and programs.
Visitation
Visiting hours at Limestone Correctional Facility are on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. However, inmates are allowed two visits per month, and they are given a pre-arranged date. Visitors are required to arrive at the facility at least 30 minutes before the scheduled visitation time. Visitors must also present a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, and must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list.
Visitor List
To be added to an inmate’s visitor list, the visitor must complete a visitation application and submit it to the facility. The application can be found on the Alabama Department of Corrections website. Visitors must provide their full name, date of birth, social security number, and contact information. In addition, visitors must provide information about their relationship with the inmate and their reason for visiting.
Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the facility’s staff. If the application is approved, the visitor will be added to the inmate’s approved visitor list. Visitors who are not on the approved visitor list will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
It is important to note that visitors who have outstanding warrants or who have been convicted of a felony may be denied visitation. Visitors who have been released from prison within the last two years must also obtain permission from the facility’s warden before visiting an inmate.
Overall, visitation at Limestone Correctional Facility is a highly regulated process designed to ensure the safety of visitors, staff, and inmates. Visitors should carefully review the facility’s visitation policies and procedures before visiting an inmate.
Controversies
Limestone Correctional Facility has faced several controversies over the years. One of the most significant controversies has been the treatment of HIV-positive inmates.
HIV-Positive Inmates
In 2015, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) on behalf of HIV-positive inmates at Limestone Correctional Facility. The lawsuit alleged that the ADOC was violating the rights of HIV-positive inmates by segregating them from the general population and denying them access to educational and vocational programs.
The lawsuit also alleged that HIV-positive inmates were being subjected to substandard medical care, including a lack of access to antiretroviral medications. According to the lawsuit, some HIV-positive inmates were not receiving their medications on time, while others were receiving medications that were not effective.
In 2019, a federal judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, stating that the ADOC had violated the rights of HIV-positive inmates at Limestone Correctional Facility. The judge ordered the ADOC to improve medical care for HIV-positive inmates and to provide them with access to educational and vocational programs.
Despite this ruling, some advocates for HIV-positive inmates at Limestone Correctional Facility argue that more needs to be done to improve the treatment of these inmates. They point to ongoing concerns about the quality of medical care and the lack of access to educational and vocational programs.
Overall, the treatment of HIV-positive inmates at Limestone Correctional Facility remains a controversial issue, with advocates calling for greater protections and improvements to medical care and educational opportunities for these inmates.
Notable Inmates
Limestone Correctional Facility has housed a number of high-profile inmates throughout its history. Here are some of the most notable:
Tommy Arthur
Tommy Arthur was a death row inmate who spent more than 30 years on Alabama’s death row before he was executed in 2017. Arthur was convicted of the 1982 murder of Troy Wicker, a Muscle Shoals businessman. He maintained his innocence throughout his trial and appeals, and his case gained national attention.
Don Siegelman
Don Siegelman is a former governor of Alabama who was convicted of bribery and other charges in 2006. Siegelman served time at Limestone Correctional Facility from 2012 to 2017. His case has been controversial, with many arguing that he was the target of a political prosecution.
Nathaniel Woods
Nathaniel Woods was executed at Limestone Correctional Facility in March 2020. Woods was convicted of murder for his role in the 2004 shooting of three Birmingham police officers. His case drew national attention, with many arguing that he was not the shooter and did not deserve the death penalty.
Courtney Lockhart
Courtney Lockhart was a former soldier who was convicted of the 2008 murder of Auburn University student Lauren Burk. Lockhart was sentenced to death and spent several years on death row at Limestone Correctional Facility before his execution in 2020.
Bullets
- Tommy Arthur spent more than 30 years on Alabama’s death row before he was executed in 2017.
- Don Siegelman is a former governor of Alabama who was convicted of bribery and other charges in 2006.
- Nathaniel Woods was executed at Limestone Correctional Facility in March 2020.
- Courtney Lockhart was a former soldier who was convicted of the 2008 murder of Auburn University student Lauren Burk.