Fulton County to weigh $1.1 billion jail overhaul

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners will consider a $1.1 billion at its next meeting. Multiple inmates have died at the jail in recent years and there have been many more violent non-fatal attacks.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The Fulton County Board of Commissioners will consider a $1.1 billion capital improvement plan for the county jail at its meeting Wednesday.

What we know:

The proposal, unveiled at a press conference Monday, calls for extensive renovations at the troubled Rice Street Jail and construction of a new facility next door for detainees with mental health, medical, and other special needs. County officials said the plan would bring the main jail into compliance with current code requirements.

To cover the cost, officials said they will rely "primarily" on revenue returned to Fulton County as City of Atlanta tax allocation districts expire over the next several years. The county said the financing plan is designed to avoid a significant tax hike.

What they're saying:

"This option will prioritize the needs of people with mental health, medical, and other special needs, and will mitigate the impact of construction on all taxpayers," the county said in a release.

Timeline:

According to county documents, procurement for the new medical and mental health building is expected to begin in 2026, with completion in 2028. Renovations to the main Rice Street facility would begin in 2029 and wrap up by 2034.

The backstory:

The Fulton County Jail has come under fire in recent years for severe overcrowding, crumbling infrastructure and unsafe conditions.

Federal investigators say inmates are frequently exposed to violence, unsanitary living spaces, inadequate medical and mental-health care and excessive uses of force by staff.

More than 30 people have died in county custody since 2021, prompting lawsuits, public outcry and a U.S. Department of Justice investigation that found the jail to be in violation of inmates’ constitutional rights.

Fulton County Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat has pushed for a brand-new jail in the past, but that request was denied. Instead, commissioners previously voted to spend $300 million renovating the existing jail facilities.

RELATED STORIES