Madison County is facing three federal lawsuits filed by the families of inmates who died in the jail.

In a video interview with AL.com Opinion Manager Shelly Haskins, Sheriff Blake Dorning and Chief Jail Administrator Steve Morrison couldn't talk about those pending legal cases, but they did address the training their jailers receive. Madison County puts its jailers through 6-8 weeks of intensive training, despite the fact that Alabama doesn't require any training for corrections officers, Morrison said.

Despite low wages, with some even qualifying for food stamps, Morrison said his staff is dedicated and well-trained. He said the wage disparity causes major turnover among jailers, and the jail is currently down 24 uniformed corrections officers.

If jailers break policy, or commit a crime, they are usually dismissed quickly, Morrison said. A jailer who was arrested for aggravated child abuse this week is now on administrative leave pending a hearing before Dorning.