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Rising death toll in Alabama prisons: 3 more amid silence from ADOC

APR reached out to ADOC to confirm several deaths but the public agency never responded.

Holman Correctional Facility near Atmore, Alabama. VIA GOOGLE
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There were multiple deaths in several Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) facilities this week.

According to sources, Anthony “Tony” Thompson died on Monday at Holman prison after expressing that he was not feeling good. Thompson, however, proceeded to lie down and would not get back up as he passed away soon after. Thompson also had stomach and heart conditions in the past according to sources.

APR reached out to ADOC to confirm Thompson’s death but the agency never responded.

On Wednesday, Dustin Martin died from what sources believe is a likely drug overdose at St. Clair Correctional Facility. APR asked ADOC to confirm Martin’s death as well, but again the department has yet to respond to the public inquiry.

Charles Mack died Thursday morning at Ventress Correctional Facility after experiencing chest pains. Sources told APR that Mack refused to go to the infirmary after initially having chest pains Wednesday night. Mack reasoned that the infirmary would do nothing and just send him back.

APR asked ADOC to confirm Mack’s death but the public state institution has not responded to that request either.

The three deaths this week come as ADOC’s quarterly fiscal report for the third quarter was released on their website. The report documents several statistics including sexual assaults, drug confiscations and the number of deaths that were investigated from the beginning of the fiscal year.

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The fiscal year began in October 2022 and through June 2023 ADOC opened investigations into over 254 deaths. However, looking at just the number of deaths in 2023 up to June, the amount comes to 164 deaths in over 6 months that ADOC was investigating.

That number is higher now as it does not include July and August deaths.

Patrick Darrington is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter. You can reach him at pdarrington@alreporter.com.

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