Oklahoma City will host a screening of “The Alabama Solution,” an Oscar-nominated documentary examining brutal conditions within the Alabama Department of Corrections, on Friday, February 20, at The Yale Theater. The event, organized by the Julius Jones Institute, aims to draw attention to similar issues within Oklahoma’s prison system.
The film, which gained recognition in 2025, utilizes footage recorded by incarcerated individuals to reveal severe violence and systemic failures within Alabama prisons, according to event organizers. J’Shawna Smith, who works with the Julius Jones Institute, stated the film resonated with her because of parallels to Oklahoma’s correctional facilities. “I was like well obviously this stuff happens here in Oklahoma,” Smith said. “We’ve heard the same stories here.”
The Julius Jones Institute was founded following the commutation of Julius Jones’ death sentence by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. Advocates hope the screening will raise awareness among both the public and state leaders.
Former Oklahoma inmate Jason Miller, who was incarcerated starting at age 17, believes highlighting prison violence is crucial for accountability. “I’ve never dealt with it firsthand, a guard taking a life or something like that,” Miller said. “But definitely watched them set it up and so it’s the same, you still got blood on your hands.”
Organizers also hope to spur discussion about mental health resources within prisons. Following the screening, a community panel moderated by Oklahoma State Senator Nikki Nice will address potential pathways toward reform and accountability.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) responded to concerns raised by criminal justice reform advocates, with Public Relations Chief Kay Thompson issuing a statement. Thompson asserted that comparing Oklahoma’s system to the conditions depicted in “The Alabama Solution” is “irresponsible, irrational and dangerous.” The statement further emphasized the ODOC’s commitment to fair treatment, inmate rights, and rehabilitation, while also stating the agency will “hold any bad actors accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” Thompson requested specific information regarding alleged issues, reiterating the ODOC’s commitment to transparency and public safety.
The screening is a partnership between the Julius Jones Institute, C.A.N, Diversion Hub, Foundation for Liberating Minds, ACLU of Oklahoma, LiveFree Oklahoma, and Vote For Change.
