Atlanta City Council to discuss removal of Fulton inmates from city jail

The Atlanta City Council's Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee will convene on August 25 to consider a resolution aimed at halting Fulton County's use of the Atlanta City Detention Center. Authored by Council members Antonio Lewis, Liliana Bakhtiari, and Jason Dozier, the resolution proposes a staged withdrawal of detainees currently held there under the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Fulton County started housing inmates at the detention center in 2022 due to overcrowding at its own facilities, following a four-year lease agreement with Atlanta. The Fulton County Jail has faced extensive criticism for its conditions and low staffing levels, leading county commissioners to approve $1. 1 billion for renovations last week.

These renovations, however, are expected to take several years to complete. Ending the use of the city detention center could reshape local detention practices and improve conditions for detainees. The committee's decision will be crucial for addressing ongoing concerns about inmate welfare. Local officials are keenly aware that this move could reflect broader shifts in public safety policy and correctional practices in Atlanta.