The critically acclaimed film is up for best documentary feature at the 98th Annual Academy Awards. Co-directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, the film chronicles the state’s maximum-security lockups using footage from inside prison walls taken by inmates on contraband cellphones.

“A film like this may generate such positive reception from critics (and audiences) in part because it disrupts fundamental myths about the way the U.S. criminal legal system operates to promote fairness and justice,” said Katy Naples-Mitchell, director of the Program in Criminal Justice & Management at Harvard Kennedy School.

Guided by the principles of editorial independence, factual accuracy, and public accountability, this Special Citation honors a documentary feature film that deepens public understanding of the critical issues shaping our time. It recognizes work that meets the highest standards of journalistic ethics and integrity while illuminating complex realities with clarity and purpose.

Alabama is headed into an unusual week where Hollywood buzz, unlikely political alliances, and a searing prison documentary are converging to force new scrutiny of the state’s correctional system.

Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman also share how viewers can become even more educated about America's prison systems after watching the documentary.

Today the First Amendment Coalition announced the winners of its 2025 Free Speech and Open Government Award. They are Ashley McBride and Callie Rhoades of The Oaklandside; Robert Earl Council, Melvin Ray, and Ricardo “Raoul” Poole of “The Alabama Solution” documentary film…

“Hundreds of people gathered on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol on Wednesday morning to honor more than 1,500 people who have died in Alabama prisons since 2019.”

Inmates Melvin Ray, Robert Earl Council, and Ricardo “Raoul” Poole, claim they are being punished for their association with advocates outside prison who called for an inmate work strike and called for prison reforms at press conferences in December and January.

Gov. Kay Ivey’s press secretary released a statement saying, “We already knew the Oscars had a low bar, but as far as corrections goes, there has never been an Alabama governor more dedicated to solving the longstanding challenges facing the system than Governor Ivey.”

Most prisoners in Donaldson correctional facility called Gadson “Big G”. It was a nod to his physical frame, which as he disclosed during the deposition he gave for one of the 26 civil lawsuits was 6ft3in and almost 300lbs.

Lawmakers searched for a bigger room as a bombshell documentary revealed harrowing conditions within Alabama’s correctional facilities and excessive force by officers.

“This isn’t just about crime and punishment, but about a human rights crisis and willful blindness.”

“The Alabama Solution” is vital reporting about a serious human rights issue that extends beyond one state’s pointed cruelty.”

“Alabama’s already overcrowded prisons could see inmate populations rise by nearly a third by 2030 due to new punitive laws…”

“Since 2013, at least four death row inmates in Alabama… were executed with drugs in their systems, according to autopsy reports.”

“He was among four prison officers indicted on state charges in 2022.”

“I walked over to take a look. Standing there, in the grass, was a goose eating part of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

There's got to be reform, accountability. Even though we were behind a fence, we are still human beings.

“A group of incarcerated workers filed an ongoing federal lawsuit in December 2023, challenging Alabama’s continued use of forced prison labor.”

“...by every legal, financial and humanitarian standard, the Alabama Department of Corrections is a failure.”

“Butler Snow faces sanctions after lawyer cites false case law defending against inmate who says he was stabbed 20 times”

“ADOC agreed to settlements in nearly 100 lawsuits alleging corrections officers left inmates with broken bones and brain damage.”

“This case highlights longstanding concerns about ADOC’s handling of deaths in custody.”

“Many are wondering why not much has changed and why Alabama hasn’t adopted the easy fixes.”

“So far, there have been no federal measures taken in the prisons to stop what family members… describe as horrific conditions.”

“The number may be higher because of poor record keeping by the state Department of Corrections.”

“...costs of the project have soared well beyond initial estimates.”

“The Alabama Solution” is one of the most powerful exposés of the inhumanity of the American prison system I’ve ever seen.

“There isn’t easy catharsis or an easy non-Alabama solution, but it’s impossible to deny that something better must be done.”

“should outrage the nation [and] encourage us to reexamine our own backyards”

“a hard-hitting exposé of the brutal Alabama state prison system

“The Alabama Solution… can galvanize the public behind inmate rights and the critical need for criminal justice reform.”

“According to the board’s data, in fiscal year 2023, there were 3,583 parole hearings. Just 297 were granted.”