The Autauga County Metro Jail was evacuated on Thursday morning due to “health and safety issues.” The specifics of these issues were not disclosed at the time. Following the evacuation, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook that they would be taking in 24 inmates from Autauga County due to the situation.
In an interview with Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon on Friday afternoon, he stated that the length of time the inmates would stay in Blount County custody was uncertain. Sheriff Moon mentioned that the Autauga County Commission would be responsible for addressing and resolving the issues at the jail, leading to the evacuation.
Blount County offered to house 45 inmates and ultimately took in 24, bringing their inmate count to the cap of 175. However, Sheriff Moon noted that they were prepared and had recently released 14 inmates to alleviate overcrowding. Some inmates in Blount County expressed concerns about the financial responsibility for housing Autauga County inmates. Sheriff Moon clarified that Autauga County would continue to pay for food and medical expenses for their inmates housed in Blount County. Surrounding counties were also contacted for assistance with housing Autauga inmates, but it is currently unknown which counties provided aid.
Upon reviewing the charges for the 24 inmates transferred from Autauga County, it was found that most were facing drug possession charges, while two individuals were charged with trafficking. The circumstances surrounding the situation and the future of the Autauga County jail remain ambiguous as the county commission addresses
