Nov 15, 2024 Story by: Editor
The Justice Department has revealed that dire conditions at Georgia’s Fulton County Jail, including pest infestations, malnourishment, inadequate medical care, and rampant violence leading to multiple deaths, violate the constitutional rights of those in custody.
This announcement follows a civil rights investigation launched in July 2023, which uncovered that Georgia officials failed to protect incarcerated individuals from violence, neglected to provide humane living conditions, and ignored adequate medical and mental health care. The findings also highlighted a pattern of excessive force and the use of restrictive housing without due process.
The investigation gained momentum after the death of Lashawn Thompson, 35, in September 2022. Thompson found malnourished in a bedbug-infested cell within the jail’s psychiatric unit, died from neglect, as confirmed by a private autopsy. His case sparked national outrage.
A 105-page report detailed long-standing unsafe and unsanitary conditions at the jail, offering recommendations for Fulton County officials to implement. Neither Fulton County nor the Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to requests for comment.
Fulton County Jail: A Haven for Violence, Pests, and Neglect
The report painted a grim picture of conditions at the jail. From 2022 to the present, six incarcerated individuals have died from violent attacks, while over 300 stabbings with contraband and makeshift weapons were reported last year. Additionally, four suicides have occurred in the past four years, one as recent as April 2024.
The report noted that violence, including stabbings and assaults, is rampant. It cited an incident in August 2023 where, within 24 hours, at least seven individuals were stabbed, and one was killed in a burst of violence spanning five units and three floors. Jail staff also used excessive force, including Tasers, without proper justification.
The facility itself was described as hazardous, with broken toilets and sinks flooding housing units, pest infestations, and exposed electrical wires. Food preparation was found unsanitary, contributing to malnourishment among detainees.
Medical and mental health care were also inadequate. The jail failed to provide necessary medications, respond effectively to medical emergencies, or treat serious mental health needs, exacerbating conditions for those with mental illnesses. The report highlighted that isolation practices discriminated against individuals with mental health disabilities.
Children Among the Incarcerated
The investigation revealed that 17-year-old boys and girls, due to Georgia’s juvenile justice laws, were exposed to the jail’s violent and inhumane conditions. These minors faced physical and sexual abuse and lacked access to special education services, violating the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Lashawn Thompson’s Case
Thompson, who struggled with mental illness and homelessness, was arrested on a simple battery charge stemming from an old warrant after allegedly spitting at a Georgia Tech officer. Within three months of his detention, he died in deplorable conditions. The report noted that his death reflected a broader pattern, with four Black men suffering from mental health issues dying in the jail’s mental health unit within a year. Since the investigation began, six more Black men have died at the jail.
In August 2023, Thompson’s family reached an undisclosed settlement with Fulton County.
Federal Action and Justice Department’s Commitment
Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the conditions, stating, “Lashawn Thompson’s horrific death was symptomatic of a pattern of dangerous and dehumanizing conditions in the Fulton County Jail. The unconstitutional and unlawful conditions at the Fulton County Jail have persisted for far too long, and we are committed to working with Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to remedy them.”
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke described the conditions as life-threatening, adding, “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.”
Overpopulation and Next Steps
The jail, which houses individuals awaiting trial or serving short sentences, has struggled with overcrowding. Black individuals and those with mental health issues are disproportionately represented among the incarcerated population. The Justice Department reported three deaths at the jail in 2024 alone: one from a suspected drug overdose, one by stabbing, and one by suicide.
The Justice Department has issued a formal notice to Fulton County and the Sheriff’s Office outlining remedial measures. A federal lawsuit may be filed to enforce compliance.
“The County will work with the Justice Department toward a cooperative resolution,” the department stated. Source: NBC News
