Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced the retirement of Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm and named longtime corrections official Greg Lovelace as his successor through the remainder of her term.
Hamm, who has led the Alabama Department of Corrections since January 2022, is stepping down following what Ivey described as a “transformative tenure,” during which the agency has undertaken major reforms and infrastructure improvements.
“Running the Department of Corrections in any state is a heavy task, and Commissioner John Hamm has been exceptional for Alabama. No doubt Corrections is better today than when I took office in 2017. I certainly give John a ton of credit for our progress across the spectrum,” said Governor Ivey. “Our work is not done, which is why I am especially proud to have Greg Lovelace take the role of Commissioner through the remainder of my time as governor. He is a good as they come and an expert in Corrections. Tackling challenges that come with any correctional system is multilayered, and I look forward to building on the progress we are making in the months ahead.”
Under Hamm’s leadership, the department has made progress on construction of two new men’s prisons, increased recruitment and retention of corrections officers, and implemented a zero-tolerance policy for violence and misconduct among inmates and staff.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve in Governor Ivey’s Administration, and I thank her for giving me that opportunity and empowering me to lead the Department of Corrections forward,” said Hamm. “Governor Ivey’s unwavering support for the Department has been outstanding. When I started at Corrections in 2022, Governor Ivey gave me the charge of making the Department better and with her support, as well as the support of her staff and the hardworking men and women of ADOC, we have accomplished that.”
Ivey selected Greg Lovelace, currently the department’s chief deputy commissioner, to take over the role beginning May 1, 2026.
Lovelace brings more than 30 years of corrections experience, including overseeing maintenance and construction projects and managing all prisons within the state system. He has also played a key role in the development of the Governor Kay Ivey Correctional Complex in Elmore County.
“There has not been another governor in my lifetime who has done as much for the Alabama Department of Corrections than Governor Ivey. There have been longstanding challenges facing Corrections, and Governor Ivey decided she would tackle those head on, and we have made progress because of it,” said Lovelace. “I am honored to serve under Governor Ivey’s leadership and am grateful also to Commissioner Hamm for all that he has poured into ADOC. Governor Ivey instructed me with finishing strong to ensure Corrections seamlessly transitions to the next Administration, and I look forward to helping lead the ADOC team to doing just that.”
According to the governor’s office, Lovelace’s background also includes decades in law enforcement, beginning with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office in 1975.
