Carla Wilson
Elmore Autauga News
The Autauga Metro Jail is expected to reopen on or around Dec. 31, 2025, as renovations and remediation near completion more than a year after the facility was evacuated due to mold and safety concerns.
The Autauga County Commission has scheduled two independent environmental companies to conduct final mold testing on Dec. 19. A walkthrough of the facility is planned for Dec. 29, according to county officials.
The Commission, which oversees maintenance and building operations for the jail, reported that major systems inside the facility have been repaired or replaced. The jail’s fire alarm system has been returned to service and certified, the HVAC system has been redesigned and replaced, and the jail’s security control system has been fully replaced. Interior cleaning and testing have taken place throughout the renovation process.
Autauga County Commission President Jay Thompson said he recently toured the facility and expressed appreciation for the work completed.
“I walked through the jail a few days ago, and everything is looking good,” Thompson said. “I appreciate everything that has been done and all of those involved who have brought this project to near completion.”
Before inmates can return, Sheriff Mark Harrell and his staff must be trained on the new security control panels, and the Health Department will need to complete its required inspections.
“No one wants to be back at the jail more than I do,” Harrell said. “We will try to have our own tester there on Thursday. It is short notice. We have a court date on Jan. 12, and hopefully we can move back in there.”
Harrell said they are currently housing approximately 179 inmates in other facilities, placing the department more than 40 inmates over the jail’s capacity. He said that reopening the jail will take time and must be done safely.
“It’s not an overnight thing,” Harrell said. “We’re going to have to make sure everything is done right, make sure we’re doing things safely, and make sure we have all the equipment we need back in the jail. There are cameras that are still not working, which are required for a jail facility.”
The Autauga County Jail was evacuated on June 6, 2024, after Harrell ordered all inmates removed due to ongoing concerns related to moisture, mold and other health and safety issues. Inmates were relocated to other facilities around the state, a move that sparked months of public discussion and debate.
Later in 2024, the Commission unanimously approved a $575,516 bid from Stallings & Sons Inc. for phase one of the jail’s cleaning and remediation. PH&J Architects developed the renovation plan and oversaw the remediation work and subsequent facility upgrades.
After more than a year and a half of the jail being closed, Harrell said he is eager to return operations to the Autauga Metro Jail once final testing and inspections are complete.
“I think it’s time,” said Harrell.
