FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kathryn Hamoudah 404/688-1202 or [email protected]

Atlanta, GA—The Southern Center for Human Rights supports the legislation introduced by Councilmember Antonio Lewis (District 12) and co-signed by Councilmembers Jason Dozier (District 4) and Liliana Bakhtiari (District 5) to initiate the staged withdrawal of Fulton County from the Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC). The more than 30 reported deaths of individuals under the custody of the Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat’s tenure, including 16 deaths since the transfers of incarcerated people from Fulton County facilities to ACDC,  demonstrates that the additional bed space and supposed superior condition of the ACDC facility are not significant enough factors to overcome the numerous constitutional and human rights violations documented in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) report. 

Last November, the DOJ released a scathing report on the conditions in Atlanta’s Fulton County jail, uncovering severe constitutional and statutory violations and unsafe conditions in Fulton County, many of which are unrelated to the condition of the building. These issues include inadequate staffing, unsanitary living conditions, and insufficient medical care, all of which contribute to a dangerous environment for both people incarcerated and staff. 

The DOJ highlighted staffing shortages as a central issue. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, responsible for staffing and supervising the jail, has repeatedly struggled to maintain a safe and secure environment. The lack of sufficient staff not only hinders effective supervision but also allows the facility to fall into disrepair, fostering an environment ripe for violence and contraband. Without adequate personnel, transferring incarcerated people to other agencies or maintaining ACDC is infeasible. 

In fact, on March 4, another person was found dead at the Fulton County jail, and on March 9, an officer at the jail was assaulted. This illustrates the complete failure of the intent of the lease to keep people incarcerated at the jail safe and Sheriff Labat’s inability to keep people from substantial risk of serious violence under his watch.  

Timely ending the lease of ACDC is the logical next step given the significant decrease in the total population of people detained by Fulton County, the ready supply of additional beds available to Fulton County as a product of its existing lease agreements with several other counties, and the improved efficiency in judicial processes within the Fulton County criminal legal system are the sort of results reflecting the desired long-term solutions originally contemplated by the City of Atlanta when entering into the agreement.  

“Rather than expanding carceral capacity which fails to address underlying issues, a focus on the jail’s culture of inhumane practices is essential,” said Tiffany Roberts, Public Policy Director at the Southern Center for Human Rights. “Remediating inadequate staffing by reducing the jail population could also mitigate many of the constitutional violations outlined by the DOJ and improve conditions for those housed within the facility. Ultimately, a comprehensive approach that tackles abusive practices, considers staffing shortages, and addresses facility hazards is crucial.”