St. Clair Correctional Facility is a maximum-security state prison for men located in Springville, Alabama. It opened its doors in June 1983 and is situated on a 600-acre land in St. Clair County. The facility is one of the largest and oldest correctional facilities in Alabama and has a capacity of 1096 inmates.
The Alabama Department of Corrections operates St. Clair Correctional Facility, which is responsible for the custody, care, and control of the inmates. The facility provides on-site classroom settings for academic and vocational education programs through Gadsden State Community College. Inmates can participate in various educational programs, such as adult basic education, GED preparation, and vocational training. Additionally, the facility operates the Alabama Correctional Industries vehicle restoration and a chemical plant.
Despite its educational programs and other services, St. Clair Correctional Facility has been in the news for various reasons. It has been named as the fifth men’s prison listed for shutdown in the bill lawmakers are considering during a special session that started in September 2021. The facility has also faced criticism for its conditions, prison rules, and treatment of inmates.
| Security Level | Maximum |
| Max Capacity | 1096 |
| Physical Address | 1000 St. Clair Road Springville, AL 35146 |
| Mailing Address | 1000 St. Clair Road Springville, AL 35146 |
| 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 | (205) 467-6111 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History and Overview
St. Clair Correctional Facility is a maximum-security state prison for men. The facility was built in 1983 and is managed by the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Location and Capacity
St. Clair Correctional Facility is located in Springville, a city in St. Clair County, Alabama. The prison has a total capacity of 1096 inmates, making it one of the largest prisons in the state. The facility is situated on a 600-acre site and includes several buildings, including housing units, medical facilities, and administrative offices.
Operating Capacity and Custody Level
The prison has an operating capacity of 1096 inmates and is classified as a maximum-security facility. It houses some of the state’s most dangerous and violent criminals, including murderers, rapists, and gang members. The facility is designed to provide maximum security for both the inmates and the staff.
St. Clair Correctional Facility is managed by the Alabama Department of Corrections, which is responsible for overseeing all of the state’s correctional facilities. The department is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for both the inmates and the staff, and it works closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure that the prison remains secure at all times.
Inmate Life
Inmates at St. Clair Correctional Facility have access to various programs and services during their incarceration. These programs aim to provide educational, vocational, and therapeutic opportunities to help maximum security inmates prepare for their eventual release.
Educational Programs
St. Clair Correctional Facility offers academic and vocational education programs in on-site classroom settings. Inmates can earn a GED, learn basic computer skills, or participate in vocational training through Alabama Correctional Industries. The vocational training includes vehicle restoration and work in a chemical plant. In addition, the facility has a partnership with Gadsden State Community College to offer college-level courses to eligible inmates.
Commissary
Inmates at St. Clair Correctional Facility can purchase items from the commissary, which includes personal hygiene products, snacks, and stationery. The commissary is a privilege, and inmates must have sufficient money in their accounts to make purchases.
Healthcare Services
St. Clair Correctional Facility has a total care medical infirmary that provides complete medical care to inmates. The prison infirmary has a cancer unit, dialysis, emergency room, and diagnostic services. Inmates also have access to complete dental care through a private medical contractor.
Therapeutic Community Program
The New Outlook Therapeutic Community Program is a voluntary program that aims to help inmates overcome addiction and develop life skills. The program is designed to create a supportive community where inmates can learn from each other and develop pro-social behaviors. The program includes counseling, group therapy, and vocational training.
Overall, St. Clair Correctional Facility provides various programs and services to help inmates prepare for their eventual release. These programs aim to provide educational, vocational, and therapeutic opportunities to help inmates reintegrate into society.
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
Safety and Violence
Major Riot and Incidents
St. Clair Correctional Facility has been a site of major incidents and riots over the years. In 2018, three prisoners were killed and a guard was assaulted within a year after a settlement was reached between the non-profit Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) to address violence at the facility.
In fact, St. Clair is more deadly now than it was in 2014 when the Equal Justice Initiative brought suit against it for failing to protect prisoners. There have been four stabbing deaths since 2016, and the facility has been under scrutiny for neglecting the constitutional rights of its inmates.
Understaffing and Safety Risk
Understaffing is a major issue at St. Clair, which has an operating capacity of 1,514 inmates. The control of the facility is disintegrating, and there have been reports of correction officers being outnumbered and unable to control inmates. This has led to a safety risk for both inmates and correction officers. The prison staff is overworked and underpaid, which has led to a high turnover rate and a lack of experienced correctional officers.
Metal Detector and Visiting Hours
The facility has installed metal detectors to prevent the entry of weapons and drugs, but they are not always effective. The visiting hours are limited and tightly controlled, which has led to complaints from families who cannot visit their loved ones. The physical address of the facility is 1000 St. Clair Road, Springville, AL 35146, and the inmate mailing address is the same.
Violence at St. Clair
St. Clair Correctional Facility is known as a particularly violent prison. In 2021, 10 people have been killed in the state’s facilities, according to Beth Shelburne, an investigative journalist who has been covering the Alabama prison system for years. The violence is fueled by corruption, drugs, and cell phones, which are smuggled into the facility.
Inmates with life imprisonment without parole sentences and those with high custody levels are housed in the maximum-security unit, which is known for its violence. The medical infirmary and therapeutic community program are also understaffed, leading to poor hygiene and medical care.
Investigation
The Alabama Department of Corrections has been under investigation for years for its handling of the state’s prisons. The investigation has revealed that the department is understaffed, underfunded, and unable to provide adequate care for its inmates. The violence at St. Clair Correctional Facility is just one example of the many problems facing the Alabama prison system.