County Jail Crisis Sparks Emergency Inmate Housing Agreement

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the creation of a new job description and an inmate housing agreement with Autauga County.

The meeting began with a motion to draft a job description, which was unanimously approved with a vote of 4 to 1. The chairman and attorneys will collaborate on this task to clarify the responsibilities and expectations associated with the new position.

Sheriff Jones then addressed the urgent situation regarding inmate housing. He reported that the Otago County Jail faced structural and health issues, rendering it unable to house inmates effectively. In response, Sheriff Harrell sought assistance from neighboring counties under a mutual aid agreement. Lee County agreed to house some of Otago County's inmates, currently accommodating ten individuals.

Sheriff Jones informed the commission that Otago County has offered to compensate Lee County for housing these inmates at a per diem rate equivalent to what is charged to local municipalities. The agreement is flexible, allowing Lee County to tailor it to their needs, and it stipulates that Lee County will not bear costs for major medical issues related to the housed inmates.

The meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts among counties to address immediate challenges in inmate management while ensuring that financial arrangements are in place to support these services.