Derrick Dearman’s execution sheds light on Alabama prison system’s toxic relationship with contraband

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.”

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.

Much of the money Dearman’s got to buy the drugs, according to Hood, would come from “pen pals” among other means.

“When I would talk to him from time to time, he would be incoherent and unable to function, and he would be laughing and cutting up about the drugs that he was able to get a hold of that day,” Hood said.

Dearman was a “single-walk inmate,” meaning he was one of the most restricted inmates on Alabama’s death row.

“Anything is possible, but depending on the death row inmate, whether they have single walks or group walks,” John Q. Hamm, ADOC Commissioner said. “So, some of them do not get to mingle with other death row inmates. Some of them do.”

While he didn’t give a specific number, Hamm said multiple ADOC employees have been arrested in the past for introducing contraband to the prison system. He said over 155 civilians have been arrested for in 2024 so far.

“We have contraband issues as a Department of Corrections. It is no secret. We fight it every day,” Hamm said.

In March, Gov. Kay Ivey awarded the prison system with over $1.58 million for substance use treatment and rehabilitation.

Dearman was executed for killing five people, including a pregnant woman, with an axe and a gun in Citronelle. Dearman was on meth at the time of the murders.

An autopsy will be performed on Dearman’s body at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences lab in Mobile.

WKRG has already submitted a request to receive a copy of Dearman’s autopsy and toxicology reports when they are completed.

ADFS said it could take about 90 days to complete.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.