The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia have launched a civil investigation into the conditions at Fulton County Jail.
Justice Department Announces Investigation into Conditions in Fulton County, Georgia Jail https://t.co/AqcsRQoKtn
— DOJ Civil Rights (@CivilRights) July 13, 2023
The investigation comes nearly a year after an incarcerated man was found dead in a cell on the jail’s psychiatric floor covered in bed bugs and insects. Also, the jail faces “credible allegations” that claim it is structurally unsafe.
In light of the allegations, the investigation will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Throughout the investigation, the DOJ notes living conditions, medical and mental health care, use of excessive force, and protection from violence will be examined. The investigation will also determine whether Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office discriminate against persons with psychiatric disabilities inside the jail.
“People in prisons and jails are entitled to basic protections of their civil rights,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. “During this comprehensive review of the conditions of confinement at the Fulton County Jail, the Justice Department will determine whether systemic violations of federal laws exist, and if so, how to correct them.”
Shortly after the DOJ and U.S. Attorney’s Office announcement, the Georgia NAACP released a statement welcoming the investigation into the jail’s patterns and practices.
“No one (especially Pretrial detainees) should be required to reside in the deplorable conditions of the Fulton County Jail. The Georgia NAACP will continue to advocate for change, justice, and accountability for the overall prison conditions at the detention center,” Georgia NAACP state president Gerald Griggs stated.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network.
