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A section of the Albany County Jail facade collapsed early Thursday (June 12), leading to the relocation of inmates as a safety measure. According to Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, the collapse occurred around 3 a.m. and involved an area measuring approximately 8 feet by 100 feet. Fortunately, the incident did not result in any injuries, as the affected section was inaccessible to inmates.
CBS6 Albany reported that engineers and construction teams have been consulted to assess the damage and begin repairs. Sheriff Apple stated that a demolition crew is expected to dismantle the damaged wall in the coming days, with repairs anticipated to take at least three months and cost several hundred thousand dollars.
The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation, but it is suspected that water infiltration may have contributed to the structural failure. As a precaution, inmates housed near the compromised area have been relocated within the facility.
The Times Union noted that despite the damage, the jail's thick walls prevented any risk of escape. The situation is being closely monitored to ensure the safety of both inmates and staff.