Autauga County Sheriff evacuating jail due to health and safety concerns; County responds
Autauga County’s sheriff is removing inmates from the jail based on what he calls health and safety concerns. Other county officials have responded to his actions.
In a statement provided to Action 8 News, Autauga County Sheriff Mark Harrell says he is evacuating the Autauga County Metro Jail due to health and safety concerns.
“On January 16, 2023, I was appointed as sheriff of Autauga County by Gov. Kay Ivey. On that day, I swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the State of Alabama and the United States.
“I have a moral obligation for the safety, health and security of all individuals who come through the doors of the Autauga County Metro Jail, whether it’s my staff, law enforcement officers or inmates.
“Effective today June 6, 2024 I will be evacuating the Autauga County Metro Jail. It will be up to the County Commission to properly and adequately fix the issues to prevent health and safety issues before I, as the sheriff of Autauga County, will place another individual in the jail. We have worked out the logistics with several agencies to house inmates. We have made arrangements to process individuals quickly and house them in a safe environment.
“I am aware of the ramifications of this decision but it is my obligation by State and Federal Law to do so as sheriff Of this great county. Further information on when these issues will be resolved need to be addressed to the Autauga County Commission.”
Action 8 News received this statement from Autauga County Administrator Scott Kramer:
“The County Commission is aware of certain facility issues at the Autauga County Metro Jail. We have been working diligently, and in good faith, with Sheriff Harrell and his staff to address their important concerns; we will continue to do so and ask him and his staff to do the same.
“Just this week the County Commission had workers in the building to assess and attempt to address those concerns. We have also had multiple experts inspect the facility. We will persist to make improvements, but within the scope of the law and the resources available to us, to ensure the wellbeing of anyone – inmate, staff, law enforcement officer, or member of the public – who enters the jail.”
We will be making no further comments at this time.
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