Georgia Senate Committee Calls for Jail Improvements and Cooperation in Fulton County

ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia Senate committee has recommended increased collaboration among county officials to enhance conditions at Fulton County’s jail, while also urging the city of Atlanta to transfer its former jail to the county for prisoner housing. This committee was established in response to alarming overcrowding and a series of inmate deaths, including the high-profile case of Lashawn Thompson in September 2022, which drew scrutiny from the Justice Department over issues of violence and unsanitary conditions. The current inmate population at the main jail has decreased from nearly 2,600 to just over 1,600, although the overall jail population remains high, with around 400 inmates housed in part of the Atlanta City Detention Center. Senate Public Safety Committee Chairman John Albers emphasized that the report primarily outlines operational improvements that can be implemented through better cooperation among local officials, rather than legislative changes. The report also pointed out ongoing tensions between Sheriff Pat Labat and county commissioners, describing their relationship as “tenuous” and unprofessional. Labat has proposed the construction of a new facility to better address the mental and physical health needs of inmates, although funding such a project may necessitate a property tax increase, a contentious issue given the upcoming reelection of three county commissioners. While Labat expressed skepticism about Atlanta's willingness to transfer its 1,300-bed jail, Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts indicated a readiness to collaborate with lawmakers to explore additional resources, including more judges and facilities for mental health care.