Donaldson Correctional Facility Lawsuit
The William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison in Bessemer, Alabama, southwest of Birmingham. Operated by the Alabama Department of Corrections, it houses male inmates and has a capacity of 1,558 beds. The facility has a history of violence, sexual abuse, excessive force, and unsafe living conditions, leading to federal investigations and multiple lawsuits.
Attorneys that work with Police Brutality Center may be able to assist you.
Content Last Updated: April 1, 2026
How Police Brutality Center Helps Victims of Prison Abuse
Police Brutality Center connects victims and families impacted by abuse, neglect, or excessive force at facilities like the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility with experienced civil rights lawyers who can pursue justice and compensation on their behalf. Our legal partner, Alex Straus of Milberg PLLC, brings extensive experience handling civil rights cases involving prison abuse.
Victims can safely discuss their situation through a free consultation and confidential case review. Contact Police Brutality Center today to learn more about your legal options and next steps.
Connect With Our Experienced Attorneys
Police Brutality Center is proud to partner with Alex Straus, Chair of the Civil Rights Department at Milberg PLLC, and Solomon Radner at Radner Law Group to help victims of civil rights abuses.
Legal Grounds for Filing a Donaldson Correctional Facility Lawsuit
People who have experienced abuse, neglect, or excessive force at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility may have legal options to hold the facility or staff accountable. One common option is filing a claim under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871. That law allows individuals to sue government employees and officials who violate their constitutional rights, including the following:
- First Amendment: Protects prisoners from retaliation for exercising free speech and practicing religion.
- Eighth Amendment: Prevents cruel and unusual punishment, such as unsafe conditions, sexual abuse, or excessive force by staff.
- 14th Amendment: Guarantees prisoners the right to due process and fair treatment, including the ability to challenge decisions that affect their rights or privileges.
These protections allow inmates to pursue a lawsuit against the Donaldson Correctional Facility when their rights are violated while incarcerated.
Who Can File a Lawsuit Over Abuse at Donaldson Correctional Facility?
If you or a loved one has experienced harm, abuse, or neglect at Donaldson Correctional Facility, you may have the right to take legal action. Here’s who may be eligible to file a prison abuse lawsuit:
- Inmates: Those harmed while in custody may file a lawsuit to seek justice and compensation.
- Estate representatives: If an inmate has died from unsafe conditions or mistreatment, the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate may file a lawsuit and pursue compensation for certain surviving family members.
How To File a Lawsuit Against Donaldson Correctional Facility
If you or a loved one has suffered from abuse, neglect, or the use of excessive force at Donaldson Correctional Facility, you have rights and legal protections, allowing you to pursue accountability. Key steps include the following:
- Consult a civil rights attorney: Because Section 1983 lawsuits involve complex federal and state rules, representation by an experienced civil rights attorney is essential. They will investigate, gather evidence, help you navigate the process, and protect your rights at every step.
- Exhaust administrative remedies: The process begins with filing a grievance through the prison’s internal system. Detailed procedures are outlined in Alabama DOC’s inmate grievance policy.
- Report to Law Enforcement Services Division: Also consider submitting a complaint to the Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division.
Alabama law generally gives individuals two years from the date of the violation to file a Section 1983 lawsuit. Missing this deadline can prevent the case from moving forward, so consulting an attorney promptly is essential.
Federal Investigations Into Donaldson Correctional Facility and Other Alabama Prisons
Troubling reports of violence, sexual abuse, unsafe conditions, and staff misconduct led the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in 2016 to investigate Alabama’s men’s prisons, including the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility.
In 2019, the DOJ determined that Alabama’s Department of Corrections had violated the Eighth Amendment by failing to protect prisoners and provide safe conditions. The next year, investigators found that correctional staff were using excessive force against prisoners, compounding the dangers.
In late 2020, the federal government filed a lawsuit under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, or CRIPA, claiming the state failed or refused to correct the unconstitutional conditions within the prisons after several rounds of negotiations. The lawsuit is still pending trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
Lawsuits and Legal Cases Involving Donaldson Correctional Facility
Like other Alabama Department of Corrections facilities, William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility has faced numerous lawsuits for prison guard abuse, unsafe living conditions, and other persistent issues.
Recent data highlights how frequently lawsuits have been filed against the facility. Reporting by the Alabama Reflector shows that from 2020 through 2024, the Alabama Department of Corrections settled 124 lawsuits across 15 prisons. Of those, 94 cases involved allegations of excessive force, with 25 tied specifically to Donaldson Correctional Facility.
Here are a few examples of lawsuits filed against Donaldson in recent years:
Steven Davis – Wrongful Death and Excessive Force
In 2024, the Alabama Department of Corrections paid $250,000 to the mother of Steven Davis to settle a wrongful death lawsuit. Davis, 35, died in October 2019 following an encounter with several corrections officers in a behavior modification unit at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility.
A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by blunt force injuries. According to the Alabama Reflector, the state maintained that officers’ actions were justified. No criminal charges were pursued against the officers.
Federal Lawsuit Brought by Tommy Rutledge’s Sister
In 2021, the sister of Thomas Lee Rutledge filed a federal lawsuit over his death at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility. The lawsuit alleges the 44-year-old Rutledge died on December 7, 2020, from hyperthermia after being confined in an overheated cell in the prison’s mental health unit. It also claims guards failed to respond the night Rutledge died, despite being aware of the extreme heat in the cells.
According to the suit, Rutledge was taking psychotropic medication, which increased his risk of heat-related illness. Per the coroner’s report, his cell’s temperature ranged from 101 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. He was discovered unresponsive, with a body temperature of 109 degrees during resuscitation attempts. The autopsy report, also referenced in the lawsuit, describes him having been found positioned near the window of his cell, seemingly trying to access cooler air.
Assault Conviction of an Alabama Department of Corrections Sergeant
In April 2025, a Jefferson County jury convicted former prison sergeant Joe Binder on a first-degree assault charge for striking Ephan Moore with a baton while Moore was in custody at Donaldson Correctional Facility. The assault, which occurred on January 30, 2021, left Moore with skull fractures, broken ribs, and other injuries requiring hospitalization.
Prosecutors reportedly presented evidence during the trial showing Binder had assaulted Moore at least once before in 2016. Binder worked at Donaldson since 1998 and faced more than a dozen federal lawsuits alleging that he used excessive force and physically abused incarcerated people.
Connect With an Alabama Prison Abuse Attorney
Navigating a prison abuse lawsuit can be complicated and overwhelming, but help is available. Police Brutality Center can connect you with an experienced Alabama civil rights attorney who can guide you through the legal process, gather evidence, and fight for justice on your behalf.
Get legal help today to begin the path toward justice and accountability.