Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office released a written statement shortly after 3pm on Tuesday confirming that the city is looking at other potential options when it comes to housing for inmates in the City of Birmingham. City and county officials met with staff at Birmingham Jail on Tuesday afternoon to discuss a “transition to jail”. Sources tell WVTM 13 that the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County negotiated to house inmates from the city at the Jefferson County Jail. Sources say a major factor in the possible move is the physical condition of the prison, which is reportedly deteriorating. There are concerns that the county jail cannot safely house the city’s inmates with the number of inmates already in the county jail and the staff currently in place. Sources say the city would likely send its prison staff to the county jail, which would help some. The statement from Mayor Woodfin’s office does not address anything specific regarding the potential move to the county jail, but says, “The city is considering the future of the municipal jail and alternative options in order to provide an effective and efficient system. No final decision has been made and there is no clear timetable.” The mayor’s office says prison staff will be the first to know of any upcoming changes. The city also says prison workers will remain employed by the city no matter what happens next.
Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office released a written statement shortly after 3pm on Tuesday confirming that the city is looking at other potential options when it comes to housing for inmates in the City of Birmingham.
City and county officials met with staff at Birmingham Jail on Tuesday afternoon to discuss a “transition to jail”.
Sources tell WVTM 13 that the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County negotiated to house inmates from the city at the Jefferson County Jail. Sources say a major factor in the possible move is the physical condition of the prison, which is reportedly deteriorating.
There are concerns that the county jail cannot safely house the city’s inmates with the number of inmates already in the county jail and the staff currently in place. Sources say the city would likely send its prison staff to the county jail, which would help some.
The statement from Mayor Woodfin’s office does not address anything specific regarding the potential move to the county jail, but says, “The city is considering the future of the municipal jail and alternative options in order to provide an effective and efficient system. No final decision has been made and there is no clear timetable.”
The mayor’s office says prison staff will be the first to know of any upcoming changes. The city also says prison workers will remain employed by the city no matter what happens next.
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