Nov 17, 2024 Story by: Editor
The Fulton County Jail in Atlanta subjects inmates to “inhumane, violent and hazardous conditions” that endanger their safety, according to a 16-month investigation by the US Justice Department, announced Thursday.
Justice Department officials revealed a host of problems at the jail, including broken toilets flooding housing units, infestations of roaches and rodents, exposed wiring, insufficient food, inadequate medical and mental health care, and unjustified use of force by staff, such as Tasers.
“The jail does not adequately protect inmates from violence by other inmates, such as stabbings, sexual abuse, or even murder,” Kristen Clarke, assistant US attorney general for the Justice Department’s civil rights division, stated during a news conference in Atlanta.
The conditions at the jail violate the Eighth and 14th Amendments of the US Constitution, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, according to the report.
Investigative Findings and High-Profile Cases
The investigation, launched in 2023, was partly prompted by the 2022 death of Lashawn Thompson, an inmate who died in the mental health unit of the jail. Thompson, covered in lice and filth, suffered from untreated schizophrenia, dehydration, malnutrition, and severe insect infestations. The Justice Department described his cell as “not fit for a diseased animal.”
“Our investigation finds longstanding, unconstitutional, unlawful, and dangerous conditions that jeopardize the lives and wellbeing of the people held there,” Clarke said. “Detention in the Fulton County Jail has amounted to a death sentence for dozens of people who have been murdered or who died as a result of the atrocious conditions inside the facility.”
In the 16 months since the investigation began, six inmates died at the jail within a single month, including one killed during a series of assaults that resulted in at least seven stabbings across five units in 24 hours.
Broader Implications and Recommendations
The report outlines minimum remedial measures to address issues such as inmate safety, excessive force, environmental hazards, and access to healthcare. Clarke expressed optimism about cooperation with local officials.
“We can fix these problems, and we are pleased that Fulton County has pledged to cooperate with us in doing so in the road ahead,” she said.
However, the Justice Department warned that failure to address the concerns within 49 days could lead to a lawsuit.
Mental Health and Vulnerable Inmates
The report underscores severe issues faced by inmates with mental health needs. Thompson’s case was among four Black men with significant mental health challenges who died in the jail’s psychiatric unit within a year. Other incidents include deaths caused by cellmate violence and prolonged neglect of basic health needs.
Approximately 62% of inmates entering the jail have mental health or substance use issues, and 75% of deaths since 2021 involved individuals with mental health diagnoses, the report revealed.
Assaults, Malnutrition, and Unsanitary Conditions
The Fulton County Jail recorded over 1,000 assaults and 300 stabbings in 2023, outpacing similar facilities nearly 2-to-1. Investigators also found “substantial evidence” of malnourishment among inmates and unsanitary food preparation conditions, including rodent and cockroach infestations in the kitchen.
Justice Department officials highlighted the suffering endured by the jail’s youngest detainees. Seventeen-year-old boys and girls, many held in isolation for over 22 hours daily, receive no educational services and face heightened risks of violence and suicide.
“These young people deserve better,” said Ryan Buchanan, US attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
Local Response and Planned Improvements
Fulton County officials have approved $300 million for renovations to address the facility’s dire state. At a separate news conference, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat called the renovation a “huge step forward” but reiterated the need for a new jail in the future.
CNN has reached out to Thompson’s family for comment on the Justice Department’s findings. Source: CNN
