2023 has been a deadly year in the Alabama Department of Corrections, specifically at Donaldson Correctional in Bessemer. Dozens of inmates have died, both naturally and through other means. In the last few days, two more inmates have died there. One was ruled a homicide, the other as a natural death. They are the 23rd and 24th deaths at Donaldson this year.It’s very difficult to get a real sense of what life is like in an Alabama prison because the media is rarely allowed access. So, we depend on recently released inmates and sometimes current inmates to show us the reality.Daymario Massey is slowly reacclimating himself to life outside of prison. He spent 15 years behind bars, much of that at Donaldson Correctional Facility. He says he witnessed firsthand the overcrowded conditions that contribute to violence.“Supposed to be one-man rooms, but they have two beds in there, and you may have three people in them, two on beds and one on the floor,” Massey said.Massey was released in February, but Bernard Jemison is still locked up. He’s gained fame for his TikTok videos as he documents prison life and uses a contraband cell phone to shed light on the conditions.“Inmates are dying almost every other day in Alabama, whether it be homicide, overdose, or suicide,” Jemison said. “Inmates wake up in here almost every morning in a hopeless environment. They feel like the parole board is not letting anybody go.”Both men talked about the hopelessness behind bars. Saying many, including Massey, give in to drugs during their prison time.“They don’t care, the nurses, the officers, they don’t care,” Massey said. “They really don’t.”Jemison says he doesn’t feel conflicted about using a contraband cellphone to expose what’s happening in Alabama prisons, because he’s working to help people and save lives.Listen to the full interview with Daymario Massey below.
2023 has been a deadly year in the Alabama Department of Corrections, specifically at Donaldson Correctional in Bessemer. Dozens of inmates have died, both naturally and through other means. In the last few days, two more inmates have died there. One was ruled a homicide, the other as a natural death. They are the 23rd and 24th deaths at Donaldson this year.
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It’s very difficult to get a real sense of what life is like in an Alabama prison because the media is rarely allowed access. So, we depend on recently released inmates and sometimes current inmates to show us the reality.
Daymario Massey is slowly reacclimating himself to life outside of prison. He spent 15 years behind bars, much of that at Donaldson Correctional Facility. He says he witnessed firsthand the overcrowded conditions that contribute to violence.
“Supposed to be one-man rooms, but they have two beds in there, and you may have three people in them, two on beds and one on the floor,” Massey said.
Massey was released in February, but Bernard Jemison is still locked up. He’s gained fame for his TikTok videos as he documents prison life and uses a contraband cell phone to shed light on the conditions.
“Inmates are dying almost every other day in Alabama, whether it be homicide, overdose, or suicide,” Jemison said. “Inmates wake up in here almost every morning in a hopeless environment. They feel like the parole board is not letting anybody go.”
Both men talked about the hopelessness behind bars. Saying many, including Massey, give in to drugs during their prison time.
“They don’t care, the nurses, the officers, they don’t care,” Massey said. “They really don’t.”
Jemison says he doesn’t feel conflicted about using a contraband cellphone to expose what’s happening in Alabama prisons, because he’s working to help people and save lives.
Listen to the full interview with Daymario Massey below.
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