PR04-007

Date:

March 6, 2004

 
Fulton County Sheriff Declares State of Emergency at Jail
 

At an emergency meeting this morning with high ranking officials of the department, Sheriff Jacquelyn Barrett expressed that the woefully understaffed jail is now at a breaking point, and emergency measures must now be taken. The Sheriff is concerned that public safety is at risk due to severe jail overcrowding, increased workloads, and deep staffing cuts.

The jail has taken on additional responsibility for processing inmates from the city of Atlanta, as well as other jurisdictions throughout the county while having more than 180 positions eliminated due to budget reductions over the past two years. The increased volume of jail inmates continues to outpace the jail’s ability to meet legal mandates and constitutional requirements. Several independent studies, including the county’s own management analysis confirm that the jail needs additional staff. The Sheriff has now determined that the jail can no longer function with an already over-worked staff under these difficult conditions.

The Sheriff has already begun to communicate with other elected officials for assistance in this emergency situation. One local sheriff has already pledged his support by offering available bed space to help ease overcrowding. Fulton County Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards has also pledged his support in restoring budget funds for necessary staffing.

While the Sheriff appreciates the recent Grand Jury report confirming that the jail is understaffed and overcrowded, she continues to express her concern that with every system failure, the public’s safety is at risk. The Sheriff also continues to enforce her “zero tolerance” policy among staff. The Sheriff has initiated an internal investigation to determine if procedures were followed during a brief escape by an inmate at the Fulton County Courthouse yesterday. The suspect, identified as Ulyssess Johnson, has since been apprehended and charged with escape. Johnson is being held on charges of trafficking cocaine.

Sheriff Barrett plans to announce a “state of emergency” address at a press conference Monday, March 8, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. The press conference will be held at 185 Central Avenue, ninth floor, in the main conference room.

For more information, please contact Lieutenant Clarence Huber at (404) 730-4148. Lieutenant Huber can also be reached on his digital pager at (404) 742-6798.