Another stabbing at Fulton County Jail reported by sheriff's office
Fulton County Jail (FOX 5)
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Violence continues to be a serious issue at the Fulton County Jail, as another stabbing incident was reported last night.
What we know:
According to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, a "resident" was stabbed and transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities have identified the perpetrators, and they are being charged accordingly, according to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.
The specific details about the incident, including the names of those involved and the charges they will face, have not yet been released. FOX 5 Atlanta reached out for additional information and was told they would not be releasing anything else at this time.
The backstory:
The Fulton County Jail has a long history of violence, with hundreds of incidents reported annually. A Department of Justice (DOJ) report revealed that in 2023 alone, there were:
- 313 stabbings inside the jail.
- More than 1,000 assaults recorded.
- A 1.5 times higher rate of stabbings than New York City jails.
- A stabbing rate 27 times higher than Miami-Dade County jails.
- More than 200 emergency transports in the first nine months of 2023 due to injuries from assaults.
The DOJ launched an investigation into the jail's dangerous conditions after the high-profile death of LaShawn Thompson in September 2022. Thompson, who had been held on a simple battery charge, was found slumped over in his cell in the mental health unit. A medical examiner described his body as malnourished and infested with lice, concluding he was "neglected to death."
RELATED: Department of Justice Fulton County Jail investigation: Rights of inmates violated
The DOJ ultimately determined that inmates' constitutional rights were being violated, citing the jail’s inability to keep people safe and the inhumane conditions inside the facility.
OTHER RECENT STORIES
- Bill could force Atlanta to house Fulton County inmates at city jail
- Fulton County Jail inmate’s sister speaks out after brother reportedly extorted
- Fulton County DA Fani Willis pushes for jail funding ahead of budget deadline
- YSL RICO trial defendant files class-action lawsuit over Fulton County Jail conditions
What's next:
Following the DOJ’s findings, the Department of Justice and Fulton County officials have agreed to work together to address the dangerous conditions inside the jail. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has not yet provided further details on how they plan to curb the ongoing violence, but this latest stabbing adds pressure on officials to take immediate action.
RELATED: Dept. of Justice, Fulton County agree to work together to fix Fulton County Jail
As the investigation into this latest attack unfolds, questions remain about whether current measures are enough to improve safety or if more drastic reforms are necessary to protect those incarcerated in Fulton County.