WALKER COUNTY, Ala. — Betty Jo Cooley, a former corrections officer, is set to plead guilty to falsifying records in a case involving inmate mistreatment at the Walker County Jail. The incident occurred on September 26, 2022, when Officer Joshua Connor Jones used excessive force against a pre-trial detainee. Cooley admitted to fabricating reports to conceal the abuse. Her sentence will be capped at ten months.
This case adds to the growing scrutiny of Walker County Jail, which has faced multiple allegations of inmate mistreatment. Recently, six officers entered plea agreements related to the death of Tony Mitchell, who endured inhumane conditions before dying from hypothermia.
Walker County, established in 1823 and named after Senator John Walker, has a history steeped in coal mining and is part of Alabama’s central region. With a population of over 65,000, it has struggled with economic challenges and a reputation for opioid abuse. Despite efforts to maintain professional standards, the county’s correctional facilities have been marred by incidents of abuse and misconduct, raising concerns about accountability and transparency.
The ongoing issues highlight the need for reform within the county’s criminal justice system to restore public trust and ensure the humane treatment of inmates.