[In March of 2024, RMV had the opportunity to speak to men housed in St. Clair Prison about voting rights and opportunities. RMV intern and UA student Daniel Lynn writes about his experience visiting the prison below.]
A Reflection on St. Clair
Daniel Lynn
Recently, I had the privilege to visit St. Clair Correctional Facility with Return My Vote. We met with men who were participating in a re-entry program there. Prior to this experience, I knew little about Alabama’s prison system outside of what I had heard from the media, yet I came in with an open mind.
Upon arrival at St. Clair’s, our group was escorted to a cafeteria with six inmates and a social worker. None of the men were handcuffed; however, I did not feel unsafe by any means. While Return My Vote co-directors Dori Miles and Dr. Richard Fording spoke to them about the complex voting rights restoration process in Alabama, I could not help but observe each inmate’s body language. A sense of calmness emanated despite the grim realities of their individual situations.
At one point, one of the men spoke directly to me and Return My Vote’s other student intern, Julienne. He asked us what our expectations were prior to visiting St Clair’s. I explained what I knew from my father, who is a creative director and partner at an advertising agency in Jackson, Mississippi. At one point, my dad’s company produced a video about an inmate workforce skills training program at Parchman prison, an institution known for its harsh conditions and past history of forced agricultural labor. That same year, I read Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward, which helped spark my interest in prison reform and other areas of social justice.
Later in the conversation, I turned to the inmates and asked about what specific issues mattered to them. One man cited many of the flaws within Alabama’s juvenile system. At 16 years old, he committed a felony and was sent to prison as an adult. This man, now 48 years old, has spent two thirds of his life behind bars. He has accolades proving his rehabilitation, yet he is continually denied parole. Another inmate remarked on his plans after he completes his sentence, as he hopes to serve as a mentor figure in inner cities to prevent adolescents from going down the same road he did.
Before leaving the prison, I jotted down the names and birthdates of each of the men we spoke with. I later searched their information on Alabama’s court database, Alacourt, to determine each of their voting eligibilities. We learned that one man never lost his voting rights to begin with, and two others have the chance to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote (CERV) upon completion of sentences/probation along with repayment of relevant fines.
Overall, the St. Clair visit opened my eyes to the perspectives of individuals who have been directly impacted by the prison system in Alabama. The experience undoubtedly lit a fire under me, motivating me to not only think empathetically but to also use my voice to elevate those often ignored by individuals in power.
