Muscogee County jail plagued by leaks, mold and overcrowding as officials make case for new facility
Water pouring through ceilings, mold growing in multiple areas, deteriorating plumbing, overcrowded housing units and aging infrastructure are among the problems Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office leaders say continue to impact operations inside the Muscogee County Jail.
During an inside tour of the facility, jail administrators walked CNAW2News through several areas they say highlight why a replacement jail is urgently needed.
Officials pointed to leaking pipes, rusted ceilings, damaged flooring, mold, outdated systems and maintenance issues that they say have persisted for years despite repeated repairs.
“It’s not because we want it — we need it,” Commander Robert Trombley said. “A new jail will make it easier for the officers, the inmates and safer for the community.”
Aging infrastructure creates daily challenges
Throughout the tour, commanders described a facility that has become increasingly difficult to maintain.
According to jail officials, water leaks have become so common that maintenance crews often install pipe clamps to temporarily stop one leak, only for another to appear a few feet away.
One hallway alone previously required more than 70 pipe clamps, officials said.
In several locations, CNAW2News observed stained ceiling tiles, exposed piping, rust, standing water, buckets catching leaks and warped flooring caused by years of water damage.
Officials also showed medical areas where recurring leaks have forced nurses and healthcare workers to relocate offices multiple times.
“It’s a disruption,” one medical employee and Commander Robert Trombley said, explaining that treating inmates becomes more difficult because of limited space and ongoing maintenance issues.
Administrators said officers routinely spend time emptying buckets collecting water rather than focusing on jail operations.
They also expressed concern about mold, deteriorating ceilings and exposed wiring in some portions of the building.
Overcrowding adds pressure
Sheriff’s Office officials said the jail was designed with an operational capacity of 1,069 inmates, but the inmate population reached approximately 1,234 during CNAW2News’ visit.
While some beds may appear empty, officials explained they cannot simply place inmates wherever space exists because inmates must be separated according to their security classifications.
“It’s hard to match everybody up,” Commander Robert Trombley explained.
Officials said overcrowding increases tensions inside housing units, creates additional stress for inmates and requires more staffing resources.
Changing inmate population
Veteran jail administrators also said managing today’s inmate population presents different challenges than it did decades ago.
One commander, Robert Trombley, who has worked in corrections for 28 years, said assaults on correctional officers and gang-related activity have become greater concerns.
He also noted that many inmates enter the jail with untreated medical conditions.
Officials said medical screenings have identified inmates suffering from illnesses including tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS — sometimes before the individuals themselves knew they had those conditions. They said the Georgia Department of Public Health previously assisted after multiple inmates tested positive for tuberculosis.
June fire highlighted operational concerns
The tour also included the housing unit affected by the June 16 fire inside the jail.
According to officials, inmates allegedly created makeshift “wicks” using rolled paper, ignited them and placed them inside a ventilation system, sparking a fire above the sprinkler heads.
The fire damaged lighting, electrical equipment and surveillance cameras and forced the evacuation of more than 500 inmates. Authorities said the incident remains under criminal investigation.
Jail leaders defended the decision to rapidly relocate inmates during the emergency, saying officers faced difficult choices as smoke quickly filled affected housing units.
They also praised correctional officers and responding agencies, noting that dozens of deputies and officers responded overnight to help restore order.
Technology and design concerns
Officials said many problems stem from the jail’s original construction, arguing that a modern facility could improve safety while reducing staffing demands through updated technology and more efficient housing designs.
They noted that some plumbing repairs require entire housing units to be emptied so maintenance crews can access walls, creating additional security concerns.
Other issues cited during the tour included:
Persistent plumbing leaks and water damage throughout the building.
Mold growth in multiple areas.
Air conditioning issues in portions of the jail.
Property storage areas that have outgrown available space.
Damage to inmate property caused by leaks.
Ongoing repairs that officials say take months or years to complete because of the facility’s aging infrastructure.
Officials also pointed to a long-running air conditioning replacement project, saying only a small portion of the work has been completed after roughly a year, while a new jail could potentially be finished before all HVAC upgrades are complete. They argued the pace of repairs illustrates the difficulty of maintaining an aging facility.
“It’s not a want”
As the tour concluded, jail leaders reiterated that they believe constructing a new jail has become a necessity rather than a convenience.
“I think a lot of people in the community have family members, loved ones and friends inside our facility,” Captain Chris Toelle said. “The conditions that you’ve witnessed are what they’re having to live in. Like the commander said, it’s not a want — it’s needed.”
Related stories
LocalLee County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant faces long road to recovery after cancer battle
LocalLee County Sheriff’s Office honors employees with awards for courage and lifesaving actions
LocalHunt files ethics complaint over alleged use of Lee County Sheriff’s Office GPS System
LocalLee County Sheriff Jay Jones alleges Alabama GOP Chairman threatened removal over candidate endorsement
LocalBarn fire reported in Lee County; multiple agencies respond