Birmingham and Jefferson County negotiate to move city inmates to county jails

By Judy J. Beasley Last updated Dec 3, 2022

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Inmates at Birmingham City Jail could soon be on the move.

Sources have confirmed to the WBRC that the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County Sheriff are negotiating a deal to move inmates from the Birmingham City Jail to be housed in county facilities.

Birmingham prison has been deteriorating for years. If a deal can be reached, inmates in the city could be moved to county facilities in Birmingham city center or Bessemer.

NEW: The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is negotiating a potential contract with the City of Birmingham to house inmates from the Birmingham City Jail, which has been deteriorating for years. Deal NOT done, sources tell me, but cost structure being discussed

—Jonathan Hardison (@FOX6Hardison) December 2, 2022

Considerations such as the added cost of corrections assistants, medical expenses, food, any conditions to be decided…as well as the potential impact on the Jefferson County Detention Center. it is already often above its intended capacity https://t.co/6cKi0IQLld

—Jonathan Hardison (@FOX6Hardison) December 2, 2022

Jefferson County Commission Chairman Jimmie Stephens said he is aware of the negotiations and plans to meet with the two sides next week.

Stephens says the deal is not set in stone and he wants to know more about how these city inmates would be treated, housed and transported to and from court. He says that’s a lot of added liability and potential liability for the county.

Stephens thinks the commission should sign the deal to make it happen.

WBRC also contacted the City of Birmingham to confirm and received no comment.

Birmingham advisers LaTonya Tate and Hunter Williams were also unable to comment.

Receive news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.