Edwina Donnelly Mitchell

In 1951, she was appointed Superintendent of Tutwiler. She believed harsh conditions and strict measures only hardened people whose lives had led them to prison, telling an interviewer, "The attorney general used to ask me to sit in on meetings for him when I was an assistant. I went out to see the institutions we were putting people in, and I was so upset I've never lost interest in the correctional field."^[2] Instead, she housed the women in shared cells, where they were allowed some personal items in their area.^[3] Spurred by proposed state legislation to revamp the prison system, based on allegations it was a financial liability by not being self-supporting, women's clubs toured Tutwiller to observe the situation for themselves. The visitors found prisoners growing their own food, and learning the textile trade. Mitchell explained her philosophy of teaching the prisoners how to get past their own hostilities, "I believe everybody can be improved with the right kind of self discipline."^[4]

After reaching retirement age for a state job, Mitchell was given a waiver to continue overseeing Tutwiler. Her personal physician urged her to retire when she reached the age of 70. Although the announcement was made in January 1965, no date was set.^[5] She was hospitalized with a heart attack in January 1966, and she officially retired July 16.^[6]

Mitchell died February 4, 1968.^[7] She was elected to the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in 1973.^[2]