Autauga County jail evacuated due to 'health and safety concerns,' sheriff says

The Autauga County sheriff announced Thursday he was evacuating the county jail.

“I have a moral obligation to ensure the safety, health and security of all individuals who pass through the doors of the Autauga County Metropolitan Jail, whether they be my staff, officers assigned to law enforcement or inmates,” Sheriff Mark Harrell wrote in a statement posted on the site. Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

AL.com contacted the sheriff's office for more information and was directed to the county commission.

Efforts to reach a commission official for comment were not immediately successful.

“It will be up to the County Commission to properly and adequately resolve the issues to avoid health and safety issues before I … place another person in jail,” Harrell wrote.

The statement did not specify what exact issues the sheriff believes threaten the health and safety of those incarcerated.

“We worked on logistics with several agencies to house the detainees. We have made arrangements to process individuals quickly and house them in a safe environment,” the statement continued.

“I am aware of the consequences of this decision, but it is my obligation… Further information on when these issues will be resolved should be directed to the Autauga County Commission.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.