Etowah jail The jail has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and investigations over the years, with allegations of mistreatment and abuse of inmates. In 2017, the Department of Justice launched an investigation into the jail's use of solitary confinement, which found that the practice was being used excessively and inappropriately. The investigation also found that the jail was failing to provide adequate mental health care to inmates. In response to these findings, the Etowah County Sheriff's Department implemented a number of reforms, including the creation of a Mental Health Task Force and the implementation of new policies and procedures for the use of solitary confinement. However, concerns about the treatment of inmates at the jail continue to this day. One of the most controversial aspects of the Etowah County Jail is its practice of housing federal immigration detainees. The jail has a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hold up to 327 immigration detainees at any given time. Critics argue that this arrangement has contributed to the jail's overcrowding problem and has led to the mistreatment of immigration detainees. In 2018, a group of immigration detainees filed a lawsuit against the Etowah County Sheriff's Department, alleging that they were being held in unsanitary and inhumane conditions. The lawsuit also claimed that the detainees were not being provided with adequate medical care and were being subjected to excessive use of force by jail staff. * Humidity: 58% In recent years, the jail has also implemented a number of initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism rates and improving outcomes for inmates. These initiatives include job training programs, reentry planning services, and partnerships with local community organizations. In conclusion, the Etowah County Jail is a complex and controversial institution with a long and storied history. While the jail has faced numerous challenges and criticisms over the years, it remains an essential component of the criminal justice system in Etowah County. Through ongoing efforts to reform and improve the facility, the Etowah County Sheriff's Department is working to ensure that the jail is a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff. The Etowah County Jail, located in Gadsden, Alabama, is a maximum-security detention facility operated by the Etowah County Sheriff's Department. The jail has a long and complex history, with its roots dating back to the early 20th century. The current Etowah County Jail was built in 1993, replacing an older facility that was built in 1908. The new jail was designed to house up to 466 inmates, but overcrowding has been a persistent problem. In 2017, the jail's population reached a record high of 954 inmates, more than double its intended capacity. The jail has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and investigations over the years, with allegations of mistreatment and abuse of inmates. In 2017, the Department of Justice launched an investigation into the jail's use of solitary confinement, which found that the practice was being used excessively and inappropriately. The investigation also found that the jail was failing to provide adequate mental health care to inmates. In response to these findings, the Etowah County Sheriff's Department implemented a number of reforms, including the creation of a Mental Health Task Force and the implementation of new policies and procedures for the use of solitary confinement. However, concerns about the treatment of inmates at the jail continue to this day. Despite these challenges, the Etowah County Jail remains an important part of the criminal justice system in Etowah County. The jail employs over 200 staff members and provides a range of services to inmates, including medical and mental health care, educational programs, and substance abuse treatment. In recent years, the jail has also implemented a number of initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism rates and improving outcomes for inmates. These initiatives include job training programs, reentry planning services, and partnerships with local community organizations.