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Tyrone Heard sits in his living room, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. Heard's uncle, Willie Craytwon was killed while on work release riding in an Alexander City Work Center transport van that crashed in April. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Tyrone Heard sits in his living room, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. Heard's uncle, Willie Craytwon was killed while on work release riding in an Alexander City Work Center transport van that crashed in April. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

This undated government survey photo shows the Pratt Coal & Coke Company, Pratt Mines, a beneficiary of convict leasing in Birmingham, Ala. (Library of Congress via AP)

This undated government survey photo shows the Pratt Coal & Coke Company, Pratt Mines, a beneficiary of convict leasing in Birmingham, Ala. (Library of Congress via AP)

A cross marks the location along Elder Road, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Dadeville, Ala, where the Alexander City Community Work Center transport van crashed in April 2024, killing Willie Crayton and Bruce Clements. The Lord's Prayer is written on the angel on the cross and hat atop it, belonged to Crayton. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A cross marks the location along Elder Road, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Dadeville, Ala, where the Alexander City Community Work Center transport van crashed in April 2024, killing Willie Crayton and Bruce Clements. The Lord's Prayer is written on the angel on the cross and hat atop it, belonged to Crayton. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

This July 1907 photo shows city convicts in their sleeping quarters in Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives via AP)

This July 1907 photo shows city convicts in their sleeping quarters in Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives via AP)

Tyrone Heard stands in his living room with his kids Karinina, 8, Tyrone, Jr., 7, and Kylee, 5, after they arrived home from school, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. Heard's uncle, Willie Craytwon was killed while on work release riding in an Alexander City Work Center transport van that crashed in April. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Tyrone Heard stands in his living room with his kids Karinina, 8, Tyrone, Jr., 7, and Kylee, 5, after they arrived home from school, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. Heard's uncle, Willie Craytwon was killed while on work release riding in an Alexander City Work Center transport van that crashed in April. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

This composite photo shows, from left, Willie Clayton, Bruce Clements, Jake Jones, Richard Jackson, and Shawn Wasden, who were in an Alexander City Work Center transport van while on work release in Alexander City, Ala. in April, 2024. Clayton and Clements died. Jones was the driver. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP)

This composite photo shows, from left, Willie Clayton, Bruce Clements, Jake Jones, Richard Jackson, and Shawn Wasden, who were in an Alexander City Work Center transport van while on work release in Alexander City, Ala. in April, 2024. Clayton and Clements died. Jones was the driver. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP)

This undated photo shows convicts on a horse-drawn wagon in Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives via AP)

This undated photo shows convicts on a horse-drawn wagon in Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives via AP)

This 2013 photo shows Braxton Moon who was killed while on prison work detail on an Alabama highway when he was hit by a tractor trailer that swerved off the interstate. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP)

This 2013 photo shows Braxton Moon who was killed while on prison work detail on an Alabama highway when he was hit by a tractor trailer that swerved off the interstate. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP)

The Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark sits empty, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala., nearly 100 years after the iron plant stopped using convict labor. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark sits empty, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala., nearly 100 years after the iron plant stopped using convict labor. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Tyrone Heard talks about the death of his uncle Willie Crayton as he stands in his living room, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Tyrone Heard talks about the death of his uncle Willie Crayton as he stands in his living room, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Shackles used during the time of convict leasing lay stored in a box at the Birmingham Public Libray Central Branch Archives, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Shackles used during the time of convict leasing lay stored in a box at the Birmingham Public Libray Central Branch Archives, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Willie Crayton's hat hangs on a cross bearing the Lord's Prayer and marking the location along Elder Road, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Dadeville, Ala, where the Alexander City Community Work Center transport van he was riding in crashed in April 2024, killing Crayton and Bruce Clements. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Willie Crayton's hat hangs on a cross bearing the Lord's Prayer and marking the location along Elder Road, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Dadeville, Ala, where the Alexander City Community Work Center transport van he was riding in crashed in April 2024, killing Crayton and Bruce Clements. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A section of Elder Road stretches past the spot, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, where an Alexander City Community Work Center transport van crashed in April, killing Willie Crayton and Bruce Clements, in Dadeville, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A section of Elder Road stretches past the spot, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, where an Alexander City Community Work Center transport van crashed in April, killing Willie Crayton and Bruce Clements, in Dadeville, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

FILE -- In this Sept. 23, 2013, file photo, inmates sit on their bunks in a dorm at Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Ala. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

FILE -- In this Sept. 23, 2013, file photo, inmates sit on their bunks in a dorm at Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Ala. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

Downtown Birmingham, Ala., is seen early Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Downtown Birmingham, Ala., is seen early Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A narrow path runs by the wooded area that was once part of the US Steel Pratt mines near the prison wall and Slope No. 12, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A narrow path runs by the wooded area that was once part of the US Steel Pratt mines near the prison wall and Slope No. 12, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Smokestacks from the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark rise above the surrounding neighborhood, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. The Sloss Furnaces once engaged in the use of convict leasing during the early 20th century. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Smokestacks from the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark rise above the surrounding neighborhood, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. The Sloss Furnaces once engaged in the use of convict leasing during the early 20th century. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

This undated photo shows city convicts working alongside railroad tracks in Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives via AP)

This undated photo shows city convicts working alongside railroad tracks in Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives via AP)

Arthur Ptomey stands for a photo at his mother's home, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala. Ptomey was on work release for several private companies over six years, then denied parole after refusing to take on shifts over a wage dispute. (Anonymous via AP)

Arthur Ptomey stands for a photo at his mother's home, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala. Ptomey was on work release for several private companies over six years, then denied parole after refusing to take on shifts over a wage dispute. (Anonymous via AP)

Alexander City Community Based Facility and Community Work Center is seen on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Alexander City Community Based Facility and Community Work Center is seen on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

This August 10, 1909 photo shows convicts engaged in street repair on 24th Street while under the watch of guards in Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives via AP)

This August 10, 1909 photo shows convicts engaged in street repair on 24th Street while under the watch of guards in Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives via AP)

Tyrone Heard closes the door behind him as he leaves his home, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Tyrone Heard closes the door behind him as he leaves his home, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

FILE - Razor wire lines a fence at Easterling Correctional Facility, August 8, 1996. (AP Photo/The Dothan Eagle, File)

FILE - Razor wire lines a fence at Easterling Correctional Facility, August 8, 1996. (AP Photo/The Dothan Eagle, File)

Tyrone Heard, shadow at right, looks at a photo of himself with his family pinned to the wall of his home, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Tyrone Heard, shadow at right, looks at a photo of himself with his family pinned to the wall of his home, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Alexander City, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)