Atlanta, GA — The U.S. Justice Department has announced a significant agreement with *Fulton County*, Georgia, aimed at addressing systemic issues within its jail system that have been deemed unconstitutional. This court-enforceable consent decree, still pending a federal judge's approval, is a response to the alarming findings from a civil rights investigation initiated in July 2023, which revealed that the conditions in the jail posed serious risks to detainee safety and treatment.

According to findings released in November, the investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of violence, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate medical care within the jail, culminating in at least six deaths within weeks of the inquiry's opening. Reports highlighted that a detainee died after being strangled by a cellmate, and the jail experienced severe issues including frequent infestations of lice, *cockroaches*, and *rodents* alongside rampant circulation of drugs and weapons (New York Times).

The consent decree mandates comprehensive reforms, which include enhancing safety protocols to protect detainees from violence, improving staff training and supervision, ensuring functional locks and security systems, and implementing sanitation measures to eradicate pests. Furthermore, an independent monitor will be appointed to oversee the jail's compliance with these reforms and will provide semiannual public reports on its progress.

Fulton County Sheriff *Pat Labat* expressed commitment to the agreement, stating, “This consent order is a road map to a better future for our facility, staff, and the individuals entrusted to our care,” indicating that it is designed to foster meaningful and lasting change. The Sheriff's Office has acknowledged the problems highlighted by the Justice Department as longstanding issues that have been well documented (AP News).

These conditions have disproportionately affected the county's Black population, many of whom face significant mental health challenges while incarcerated. Additionally, the jail has faced criticism for its inadequate provision of food, leaving many detainees malnourished amid claims of systemic negligence.

Amid preceding reform efforts, the Fulton County Jail had already been under federal oversight from 2006 to 2015 due to similar issues. Attorney General *Merrick B. Garland* noted the current consent decree as a critical step toward remedying the dangerous and dehumanizing atmosphere that has persisted far too long in Fulton County's detention facilities.

As part of the consent decree, officials are expected to develop actionable plans to improve the management and environment of the jail, focusing on the urgent need for better health care, security measures, and overall living conditions for detainees.

The escalation of violence within the jail system has been alarming, with 314 stabbings and approximately 1,000 assaults reported in 2023 alone, significantly outweighing figures from other metropolitan jail systems in the region.