Ongoing Dispute Over Oaga County Metro Jail
The ongoing conflict between Agarga County Sheriff Mark Harrell and the Autoogre County Commission reaches a critical point today as a judge deliberates on the potential dismissal of the case concerning Oaga County Metro Jail.
It’s been about a year since Harrell took legal action against the committee, following the evacuation of the prison due to mold issues. He maintains that the committee has failed to uphold its duty to keep the facility well-maintained.
The county, however, contends that the conditions at the jail did not warrant evacuation and insists that steps were taken to address the facility’s shortcomings.
In a motion to dismiss, the county claims that a recent assessment by an environmental consultant did more than recommend mold remediation; it also called for a comprehensive evacuation of the prison.
“Recently, Commissioner John Tailkill inspected the facility for the alleged issues,” the county noted in its filing. “Commissioner Thrailkill, who has a background in home building, suggested that prison staff utilize a bleach and water solution for mold cleanup in accordance with the EMC’s guidance.”
Harrell disagrees with this portrayal, asserting that Servpro had found the prison’s HVAC system “infected with black mold.” He added that the company deemed the system inoperable for safety reasons. According to Harrell, Servpro would not handle repairs because the mold problem was deemed “too severe,” thereby necessitating a specialized removal process by a corrections company.
Harrell evacuated the facility on June 6, 2024, coinciding with the EMC’s assessment, which returned a report four days later. This report mostly categorized the existing mold as not significantly harmful, although it did identify “black mold” in a specific corridor primarily used for transporting inmates to court.
The dismissal motion emphasizes the EMC report and the qualifications of Trent Hills, a registered environmental manager and certified compliance officer. His role demands a bachelor’s degree and twelve years of hands-on experience in environmental fields.
These credentials stand in stark contrast to Harrell’s main assessment source, A+. It seems that Harrell has leaned heavily on “expert” Kevin Ricke from A+ Cleaning and Restoration, whose qualifications, the county argues, stem from a series of online courses rather than formal education.
Moreover, there’s a communication breakdown; Harrell asserts that the committee is evasive regarding information and support. He also claims the committee has not adequately addressed issues related to the prison.
The county’s motion to dismiss suggests there is no legal basis for an enforcement session under Alabama law. It argues that the committee follows an “open door policy” with the Sheriff.
“They are not avoiding communication,” the county wrote, adding that Harrell tends to favor sending “demanding letters and making public statements” over having direct conversations with the committee. This lack of communication, they argue, demonstrates Harrell’s unwillingness to cooperate.
In response, Harrell pointed out that it was the county attorney who requested not to hold those discussions publicly.
The county’s latest argument counters Harrell’s assertion that the county has neglected the jail’s problems, asserting that they are actively working with various parties to address repairs while complying with Alabama’s bidding laws.
There are additional points of contention laid out in the court filings, especially concerning Harrell’s claims about inadequate funding for court security staffing. The county, meanwhile, argues that his budget proposal lacks provisions for new court security funding.
All these matters will be addressed this morning in front of a Dallas County judge, as the county commission seeks to have the case dismissed while Harrell aims for the court to acknowledge his amended complaints and continue with the case.
