A recent report from the U.S. Justice Department detailed the unconstitutional and illegal conditions in the Fulton County Jail in Georgia, the state’s most populous county. The report highlighted issues such as violence, excessive force, and unsanitary living conditions. It mentioned the case of Lashawn Thompson, a 35-year-old who died in a bedbug-infested cell in the jail’s psychiatric wing due to severe neglect. The report stated that assaults and stabbings with “shanks” are common at the facility, with over 1,000 assaults and 300 stabbings reported in 2023. The report also criticized the lack of an effective classification system, leading to violent offenders being housed with vulnerable individuals.
Federal authorities emphasized that the jail’s conditions have put lives at risk and have been detrimental to the well-being of those in custody. The report noted that assaults and stabbings are often overlooked or not properly documented, with some incidents involving staff initiating or allowing violence. While the current sheriff has addressed concerns about overcrowding and dilapidated infrastructure, the report stated that adequate action has not been taken to address the crisis of violence at the jail. The Justice Department expressed readiness to collaborate with the county to implement reforms and best practices to improve conditions.
The report also highlighted issues related to medical and mental health care in the Fulton County Jail, stating that detainees receive inadequate care, exposing them to the risk of injury, illness, and even death. Vulnerable populations such as LGBTQ individuals, young detainees, and those with serious mental illnesses are particularly at risk of harm from the violence within the facility. The report detailed instances of excessive force used by jail officers, including frequent and unsafe use of Tasers. It called for proper training, guidance, and consequences for staff who use excessive force.
The report described the unsanitary and hazardous conditions in the jail, including flooding, pest infestations, and inadequate food distribution. Inmates were found to be exposed to various harms, such as pest infestation, malnourishment, and unsanitary living conditions. Additionally, individuals held in restrictive housing, including 17-year-olds housed in county jails, were at risk of mental health decline, self-injury, and acute mental illness. The report listed minimum remedial measures for jail officials to implement and warned of legal action if the concerns were not adequately addressed by the authorities.
Concerns about the Fulton County Jail’s conditions have been ongoing, with a state Senate committee formed to examine the issues last year. The committee concluded that county officials needed to work together more effectively to address problems at the jail. Furthermore, the report called on the city of Atlanta to transfer its former jail facilities to the county to accommodate prisoners. Both county officials and the sheriff’s office expressed a commitment to address the challenges and work towards improving conditions within the facility. The Justice Department emphasized the importance of remedying the unconstitutional and dangerous conditions at the jail to protect the constitutional rights of those in custody.
