Dept. of Justice, Fulton County agree to work together to fix Fulton County Jail
DOJ reaches agreement with Fulton County over jail
The Justice Department reaches a consent decree agreement with Fulton County to fix filthy and deadly conditions at the jail. The DOJ says the Fulton County Jail has been plagued with violence and life-threatening conditions that violated the constitutional rights of the people housed there.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - A court-enforceable agreement has been reached to address unconstitutional and inhumane conditions at the Fulton County Jail, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
RELATED: Department of Justice Fulton County Jail investigation: Rights of inmates violated
The investigation found that conditions at the jail violated the 8th and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A proposed consent decree was filed in federal court to resolve these findings.
"This proposed consent decree serves as a cooperative measure to address the grievous pattern of inhumane – and frequently violent – treatment of people in custody, along with the filthy and unsanitary living conditions they endure," said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.
"The Board of Commissioners will collaborate with the Department of Justice, the Fulton County Sherif’s Office and other appropriate partners to ensure the terms of this agreement are in fact implemented," said Fulton County Commission Chair Rob Pitts.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the significance of the decree: "We are encouraged that local officials have agreed to a plan that will begin to address the inhumane, unconstitutional conditions that were reflected in Lashawn Thompson’s horrific death."
"The problems at the Fulton County Jail did not arise in a day and will not be fixed in a day but I am determined that they will be fixed," said Pitts.
Fulton County Jail (FOX 5)
Lashawn Thompson died at the age of 35 in September 2022 just three months after he was booked into the Fulton County Jail. His body was discovered in a cell on the psychiatric floor covered in bed bugs and insects after he was unable to pay his $2,500 bail for a misdemeanor charge.
Key Findings and Proposed Reforms
The federal investigation, initiated in July 2023, identified severe violations, including violent assaults, unsanitary conditions, inadequate medical and mental health care, and mistreatment of vulnerable individuals. The consent decree, pending court approval, mandates a range of reforms, including:
- Enhancing supervision and staffing to ensure safety and reduce violence.
- Maintaining functional doors and locks to improve security.
- Providing adequate medical and mental health care for incarcerated individuals.
- Implementing a comprehensive cleaning and pest management system.
- Ceasing the use of isolation for vulnerable individuals, particularly those at risk of self-harm or mental health issues.
- Ensuring special education services for incarcerated children with disabilities.
An independent monitor will oversee the implementation of these measures, issuing public progress reports every six months. Community members will have the opportunity to provide input on the jail’s compliance.
RELATED STORIES
- Fulton County Jail: Sheriff Labat says inaction 'could come back to haunt us'
- Fulton County sheriff responds to scathing DOJ report on Fulton County Jail conditions
- Protesters demand action after DOJ report exposes conditions at Fulton County Jail
- Georgia Senate report: 'Dysfunction' between agencies major cause of Fulton County Jail problems
Fulton County responds
Shortly after, Fulton County released the following statement about the Consent Decree:
In its ongoing commitment to improving physical conditions at the jail, Fulton County has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice to resolve the investigation into the jail through a Consent Decree that was presented to the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Georgia today.
The Board of Commissioners and County Administration will collaborate with the Department of Justice, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, and other appropriate partners to ensure that the terms of this agreement are implemented.
Importantly, Fulton County will continue its work to improve the Jail facility. In 2024 the Board of Commissioners committed to investing up to $300 million in Jail facility improvements and we have already taken significant steps in that effort.