Six Years & Seven Months Later...Still in the System

When the white powder settled in the Shoals in June 2014, five people were dead and 22 individuals had been arrested on various charges related to heroin trafficking. There were at least two family-type units involved in the arrests; one has been in the news again this week.

It didn't take much digging to find that all three from this family are still in the state legal system over six years later, with two being currently incarcerated:

Candace Carol Irons - Original charges: Candace Carol Irons, 48, 200 Garfield Ave., Florence; conspiracy to distribute heroin. - Conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime and two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. 

C. Irons was eventually sentenced in those crimes for several months actual incarceration and then probation.

Now: Prison Spotlight

Brady Ann Irons - Original charges: Brady Ann Irons, 29, 521 Collier St., Florence; two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. - Indicted: Unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, trafficking synthetic drugs and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

B. Irons was never sentenced to any actual incarceration, but only drug rehab and probation. It was alleged at the time that Irons reported her court-appointed attorney had either requested or demanded sex from her, and she was given special privileges due to the irregularity. 

Now: Brady Irons was arrested in Lauderdale, Franklin, Cullman, and Autauga Counties last year on theft charges. She was either given probation on these charges or they have not yet been adjudicated.

John Wesley Akin - Original charge: John Wesley Akin, 26, 521 Collier St., Florence; two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. - Indicted: Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, trafficking heroin, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Akin was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison on combined charges from Lauderdale and Morgan Counties. He was paroled almost three years ago due to pleas for recognition of his extraordinary efforts at rehabilitation while incarcerated.

Now: January 2021 Arrest

What do the above cases indicate about the State of Alabama? Why are its drug rehab programs, costing the DOC hundreds of thousands to run, failing so many who participate in them? 

Is the state doing too much? Or too little?