Selma Hosts Early Screening of HBO’s “The Alabama Solution” Amid National Spotlight on Alabama Prisons
Selma, AL — October 12, 2025 — The Ordinary People Society (TOPS), in partnership with Alabama Values, Transform Alabama, Black Voters Matter, HICA, Lift our Vote, and others, will host a free community screening of the new HBO Original Documentary The Alabama Solution. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Andrew Jarecki (The Jinx), the documentary debuts nationwide on HBO and Max on October 10 and provides an unflinching look into the daily survival stories of men incarcerated inside Alabama’s prisons.
The Selma screening will be among the first in the nation, held at George P. Evans Reception Center on Sunday, October 12 at 1:00 PM. Admission is free, and attendees will be invited to share a complimentary soul food dinner following the program.
The film comes at a pivotal moment as Alabama’s prison system faces growing national scrutiny for unconstitutional conditions and inhumane treatment. Kenneth Glasgow of KSG Ministries reflected on why a film like this matters:
“It is one thing to protest, rally, and hear from families about the abuse and inhumane treatment that you’ve been advocating for help for the past 30 years. But to see it and visualize it in real time has a totally different impact. People that are incarcerated or that have been incarcerated, are PEOPLE. Not inmates, not convicts, not felons, not offenders, but PEOPLE!!!”
For movement partners, the screenings represent more than a film, they are part of a collective strategy to ensure the voices of those incarcerated are heard beyond prison walls. Dr. Adia Winfrey, Co-Founder of Transform Alabama, emphasized this responsibility:
“The men on the inside were courageous and strategic enough to share their stories. It is now on us to ensure their voices reach the masses. This is why Transform Alabama proudly unites with The Ordinary People’s Society and other groups for The Alabama Solution film screenings.”
Anneshia Hardy, Executive Director of Alabama Values, added that the screenings highlight storytelling itself as a form of resistance and liberation:
“Storytelling has always been one of our most powerful tools for survival. By sharing their truths, the men inside are resisting the erasure of their humanity. And by carrying those stories forward, we are building a collective narrative of liberation, one that refuses to accept oppression as the norm in Alabama or anywhere else.”
Artistic voices are also amplifying the message. Jessica Fortune Barker, President of the Alabama Association for the Arts, Inc. and Lift Our Vote, noted the power of film in this moment:
“This film shows storytelling at its highest purpose — bringing truth to light. The Alabama Solution captures the inhumane conditions in Alabama’s prisons and forces us to confront what too many have ignored. Every person deserves humane treatment, and those returning home deserve support that nurtures restoration, not just release. Every issue, including human rights for those incarcerated, is a voting issue.”
Adding to this, Deanna Reed, Alabama State Organizer for Black Voters Matter, drew the connection between prisons, safety, and democracy:
“At Black Voters Matter, we believe real safety and justice come from strong, resourced communities, not cages. Our work is rooted in dismantling the systems that criminalize Blackness and building a future that protects, restores, and values every life.”
Finally, Rodreshia Russaw, Executive Director of The Ordinary People’s Society (TOPS), grounded the Selma event as both a moral and collective call:
“The Alabama Solution is not just an ordinary film; it is a call to action, urging us to confront what we can no longer ignore. It serves as a humbling reminder that incarceration impacts us all across this great nation.”
The Selma screening is the first stop in a series of statewide events organized by TOPS and partners, with additional screenings planned in Dothan, Mobile, Huntsville, and Montgomery. Each event is designed not only to show the film but also to spark dialogue, healing, and collective action around the state’s prison crisis.
Event Details
What: Free Community Screening of HBO’s The Alabama Solution
When: Sunday, October 12, 2025 – 1:00 PM
Where: George P. Evans Reception Center, 2 Lawrence Street, Selma, AL 36703
Admission: Free | Complimentary Soul Food Dinner Provided
Press RSVP/Interviews:
For media inquiries, interview requests, or to confirm attendance, please contact Anneshia Hardy at media@alvalues.org or 205-602-2811.