The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to approve $1.3 billion in financing for a sweeping jail improvement program. The plan includes building a new special-purpose facility with 1,800 beds focused on housing seniors, youth, and inmates dealing with mental or behavioral health challenges.
Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. noted that roughly 70 percent of the current jail population has mental health needs. The Rice Street jail was originally built for about 1,500 inmates but currently houses around 2,000.
'This is the right thing to do and a historic step forward for the Fulton County Jail,' said County Chair Robb Pitts. Sheriff Patrick Labat, who has been outspoken about conditions at Rice Street, said the vote is a 'step in the right direction' but maintained that a full replacement is necessary.
The plan also includes $489 million to renovate the existing Rice Street facility. Some commissioners expressed concern the new building will be 'instantaneously too small' by the time it opens.
