ATMORE, Ala. (WKRG) — Alabama’s most recent execution kickstarted a swarm of questions surrounding the use of contraband inside the Alabama Department of Correction’s prisons.
Despite being a death row inmate in Alabama, those close to the situation said Derrick Dearman was known to use drugs throughout his six years behind bars. Dearman’s spiritual advisor said the quintuple murderer’s drug abuse made it hard for him to be ministered.
“Derrick is probably by far the most difficult person I have ever worked with,” Rev. Jeff hood said. “It was very difficult for me to minister to him, to engage with him because every time we talked, he was getting high.”
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Dearman was held and executed at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. Hood, who works with death row inmates across the country, said Holman has one of the most severe contraband issues he’s seen.
“Ever since [Dearman] has been at Holman, he has continued to be on drugs as recently as two days ago, perhaps even yesterday,” Hood said.