Getting to Know Langford’s New Home
Mike April 1st, 2010
Getting to Know Langford’s New Home
A federal judge has denied former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford’s request to remain out of prison pending an appeal, and the Bureau of Prisons has assigned him to a prison in Ashland, Kentucky. With his designation set, Langford may be able to surrender himself to the prison itself; rather than to the Marshall’s Office in Birmingham. If so, this would allow him to quickly get settled into his new life – instead of being sent to the Jefferson County Jail to be housed until moved to Kentucky – generally via Atlanta or other prisons along the way.
Ashland Kentucky has two prisons located directly across from each other: A minimum-security camp-style prison without a fence; and a low security prison with a fence. Langford’s designation is currently set for the fenced facility, a common starting place for non-violent offenders with 10 years or more to serve. It is common for inmates such as Langford to serve a few years in low-security and then be moved to minimum if behavior and other factors align in his favor.
As prisons go, Ashland is not a bad place to serve time. It is a fairly open and secure institution with very little violence and plenty of recreational opportunities. Generally all inmates work jobs in the prison from eight in the morning until just before four in the evening. After a full standing count inmates have dinner and then are allowed several hours of open-compound activity time before they retire to their units.
The housing units at Ashland are a series of brick buildings with cubicle like cells generally shared by two inmates. Communal bath and shower facilities are available, as well as laundry equipment; game rooms and televisions. These units also have offices where inmates meet with their assigned staff members to discuss their goals and post-release plans. Guards are also on duty in each unit around the clock for the inmate’s safety.
Ashland features a large walking track surrounding a multi-purpose sports field as well as basketball and tennis courts. Workout equipment and other fitness items are available. On rainy days there is a small inside gymnasium. Also inside is a law and leisure library where inmates can work on appeals or check out a novel to read. These libraries are located in the education building, which also hosts classes that aim to help every inmate graduate high school before release.
Ashland offers inmates access to a commissary stocked with snacks, personal care items and leisure clothing for purchase either with funds earned through their jobs or sent from family. But the prison system also believes in financial responsibility, so inmates with unpaid fines and court costs may be required to surrender a portion of their earnings to help satisfy those debts. This is also why Ashland offers jobs in their prison industry where inmates can earn considerable more money ($1-$2 an hour as opposed to as little as 12cents an hour) to give inmates the opportunity to satisfy debts and begin to save money for their eventual release. In Ashland this industry is furniture building, which is then sold to government agencies providing taxpayers a savings while teaching the inmates a trade skill as well as good work ethic.
As far as visitation goes, Ashland allows family members to visit with inmates in person in a casual sitting area – no glass between you. Inmates can also stay connected to family via phone – with at least one phone available in every housing unit.
While certainly no vacation, Langford can expect a safe and healthy stay at ‘Club Fed’ where – if he behaves – he can do his time in relative peace. We wish him the best.