Alabama Plans for Regional Jail

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — In an effort to reduce costs and eliminate overcrowded local jails, three Alabama cities are working to create the first shared jail in the state.

An appointed regional jail authority, made up of mayors and other liaisons from Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills, will build and operate the jail. The authority would like to create a 100-bed facility to replace the cities’ existing outdated facilities.

The joint jail would be a cooperative venture and city officials plan to combine their municipal court systems at the new facility. They are also thinking of sharing office space, staff and judges to minimize inmate transports.