AUTAUGA COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) - Several proposals meant to make improvements to the Autauga County Metro Jail were voted down Tuesday by the Autauga County Commission.
It’s been nearly two weekssince Sheriff Mark Harrell evacuated 168 inmates and had them transferred to various jails due to health issues.
Harrell told the County Commission that an outside agency tested the facility and claimed they found extensive mold.
The agency reported those problems came from the HVAC system and the duct work, which would need to be fixed on top of the extensive cleaning to remove the mold.
“They ignored any and all requests that we try to do to get things fixed,” Harrell said. “This is not a political statement on my part. It’s not a dog and pony show by what Kyle Shirley says, the county attorney. This is me, a law enforcement officer who swore an oath to protect and serve, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
The Autauga County Commission released a statement in response. They claim they responded immediately when told about mold concerns, but the experts they sent were not allowed to finish their work.
Furthermore, officials say Environmental-Materials Consultants, Inc. tested the jail and found no significant danger or harm.
