Fulton County Jail: Sheriff Labat says inaction 'could come back to haunt us'

ATLANTA - Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat is raising alarms about the deteriorating conditions at the county jail, describing the situation as a crisis that endangers both staff and inmates.

"Inmates are tearing the building apart and weaponizing it," Sheriff Labat said, highlighting the dangers posed by detainees using makeshift weapons crafted from parts of the facility itself. "We had several detainees that chose not to listen to a particular deputy, and in that case, the deputy did a great job of managing through all of this chaos."

The sheriff emailed the Fulton County Commissioners, urging immediate action to address longstanding maintenance issues. Among the problems, Labat noted housing zone doors that fail to lock, allowing inmates to move freely and potentially wield weapons.

"The locks don’t work, doors don’t shut, [and] pipe chasers can be gotten into," Labat said, expressing frustration over the facility's condition.

Since taking office, Labat has spent his first four years warning about dangerous conditions at the jail, but tensions between the sheriff and county commissioners have often impeded progress. This time, Labat insists, safety must take priority.

In just the past year, 79 staff members have been assaulted on the job, and deputies have confiscated 931 shanks, according to Labat. Despite the ongoing challenges, he commended jail staff for their courage and dedication.

"The heroes who work inside the jail are to be commended for their skills and bravery," Labat said.

Commissioner Natalie Hall attempted to raise the issue of the sheriff’s concerns during a Wednesday meeting, but Chairman Robb Pitts shut down the discussion.

"I personally believe that we are talking about an issue here now that could come back to haunt us, to state it gently," Pitts said. "And I am going to rule. This is out of line."

Meanwhile, Commissioner Marvin Arrington announced plans to introduce a resolution next month declaring a state of emergency at the jail.

Sheriff Labat also criticized what he called a "false narrative" suggesting his budget has increased, emphasizing that jail maintenance falls under the county’s jurisdiction. Efforts to obtain comments from commissioners were declined on the advice of the county attorney.

The situation reached a breaking point just two days ago when inmates armed with improvised weapons refused to comply with commands to disarm. Labat’s email stressed the urgency of resolving these issues to protect deputies, jailers, and other inmates from harm.

Fulton County’s jail crisis continues to escalate, and the debate over responsibility and funding remains unresolved. Further developments are expected at the commission’s next meeting.