BLOOMINGTON – Late last week, VET Environmental Engineering (VET), the environmental company contracted by Monroe County to test the Justice Center, reported finding minor amounts of mold inside the jail facility. In some cases, only single spores were detected. Laboratory analytical results indicate that the mold was present at “acceptable levels.”
Out of an abundance of caution, Sheriff Ruben Marté determined that the best course of action was to proceed with remediation. A fogging process was chosen, which requires affected areas to remain uninhabited for three hours, followed by a wipe-down before reentry.
Because the work must be completed in phases, portions of the jail are being evacuated while remediation occurs. Evacuating a jail is a rare and complex undertaking. The standard response would be to transport more than 200 residents to other jails in central Indiana, a process that can cause lengthy disruptions to court services, limit residents’ access to family visits, and interrupt electronic communication with loved ones for extended periods.
Instead, Sheriff Marté and his team formulated a plan to temporarily house residents in the courtroom areas of the Justice Center while remediation occurs. This solution allows residents to remain in Monroe County, close to their families and the courts, while we work to ensure a safe facility.
Sheriff Marté praised the teamwork and dedication on display: “I am proud of my staff for the creativity and compassion they have shown during this process. By working together, we are protecting the health of our residents and staff while maintaining dignity and care. I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to our Judges, the Clerk’s Office, the Prosecutor’s Office, the County Council, and the Board of Commissioners for their cooperation and assistance throughout this process. This is another example of Monroe County stepping up to meet challenges with both responsibility and compassion.”
Although the remediation process will only require partial evacuation on Wednesday, the process is expected to continue through Thursday. The remediation occurring on Thursday will not require evacuation, as residents in these areas can be relocated internally. Once completed, the affected areas of the facility will have been fully remediated, including the laundering of linens and a thorough wipe-down of all hard surfaces, ensuring a clean environment for both residents and staff.
