By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Editor’s Note: We have reached out to Autauga Commission members, the County Attorney and County Administrator regarding information contained in this article. When and if they respond, we will update.
Even without prisoners being housed at the Autauga Metro Jail, health and safety issues continue. UPDATE: The Autauga County Commission notified Sheriff Mark Harrell just prior to the Commission meeting this evening that the estimate to repair elevator issues has been approved. It comes after an employee had to be rescued from the elevator when it malfunctioned.
All prisoners were evacuated from the jail on June 6, 2024, after the discovery of mold, and specific areas of black mold in particular. Another factor was the lack of a working fire alarm system in the facility.
Prisoners were transferred to various other facilities across the state. However, we have learned that on July 6 a sheriff’s office employee conducting a fire watch for the jail became trapped in an elevator when the door would not open. Reports indicate there was a smell and presence of smoke, apparently from an electrical panel. However, there was not an active fire.
Jail Warden and Captain Larry Nixon filed an initial report which states around 9 a.m. on July 6, 2024, an employee was conducting a fire check inside the metro jail. Upon completion, the officer entered the elevator to go up to mezzanine #2 to exit the building. However, the elevator became stuck.
The officer called dispatch who then called 911.
Captain Nixon was notified and responded to assist in trying to get the doors open. He arrived around 9:25 a.m. and grabbed the keys rushing over to reset the control panel for the elevator.
The Prattville Fire Department arrived a short time later and was escorted to the elevator pump room behind the (F6) gate. Nixon noted there was an aroma and visible signs of smoke coming from the electrical panel.
Fire rescue personnel turned the power off and were able to open the doors removing the officer. The officer was not injured and did not require medical treatment.
Nixon has since contacted an elevator maintenance company for possible repairs. An estimate of those repairs has been sent to county officials, per Sheriff Harrell.
As of today, the power remains out in a section of the jail and repairs have not been made. The elevator remains shut down.
This incident was reported to the Autauga County Commission, as that agency is responsible for maintenance of the Autauga Metro Jail. During the Commission meeting tonight, Sheriff Harrell was notified by Chairman Jay Thompson that the repairs have been approved to correct the issue. Harrell thanked Thompson for communicating that information to him.
The Alabama State Fire Marshal’s office visited the jail prior to prisoners being evacuated. When it was discovered there was not a working fire alarm for the jail, the sheriff was ordered to maintain regular fire patrols, which include employees physically walking through all floors to make sure there is no fire or safety issue. It was soon after this visit, that Harrell made the final decision to evacuate the jail for health and safety reasons, which also included concerns about mold in multiple areas. At least a portion of that mold has been determined to be black mold, which is considered potentially dangerous if touched or inhaled.
Even though the building is absent of prisoners, officers and jail staff are still required to conduct fire watch patrols regularly.
Here is a link to the agenda for tonight’s Commission meeting. https://www.autaugaco.org/Sites/Autauga_County/Documents/Commission/AGENDA-CONSENT%2007162024.pdf
