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OFFICE OF FULTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIDGET THORNE DISTRICT 1

Over the past year, I have heard from many residents with questions about the Fulton County Jail, particularly about funding, the federal Consent Decree, and what steps are being taken to improve conditions. 



I believe our community deserves clear, factual information. Here is where things stand. 

Addressing the Staffing Crisis at the Fulton County Jail

The staffing crisis within the Fulton County Sheriff's Office remains one of the most pressing challenges impacting safety and operations at the jail. To address chronic understaffing, Fulton County commissioned a staffing study and partnered with a recruitment agency to assist the Sheriff in hiring detention officers, with a target goal of adding 50 officers per quarter.

Interest in the positions has been significant, with 7,518 applicants submitting applications. Of those, 129 qualified candidates were vetted and forwarded to the Sheriff for hiring consideration in January. However, as of April, only 14 new detention officers had ultimately been hired.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners approved $16 million in January to fund recruitment and retention bonuses. Initially, the Sheriff rejected the bonuses because he wanted bonuses for the entire department. Following continued discussions, the Sheriff agreed to implement the targeted bonus program in April as part of broader efforts to stabilize staffing levels within the jail.

Why We Are Under the Consent Decree

The death of LaShawn Thompson drew national attention after his family alleged he was “eaten alive by insects and bed bugs” while detained in the Fulton County Jail. His death was later ruled to be caused by complications associated with severe neglect.

For many individuals, detention in the Fulton County Jail has become synonymous with dangerous and inhumane conditions, with dozens of detainees losing their lives due to violence, medical neglect, or unsafe living environments within the facility.

The consent decree seeks to address several longstanding and critical issues, including:

• Unsafe living conditions
• Violence within the facility
• Inadequate medical care
• Poor supervision and chronic understaffing

Our Commitment Under the Consent Decree 

One year into the federal Consent Decree, Fulton County has made substantial financial investments to improve safety, operations, and care within the jail. 

2025 (Actual Spending) 

• $12.8 million dedicated specifically to Consent Decree implementation. 

2026 (Budgeted) 

• $50 million allocated for continued compliance and improvements. 

These are targeted investments, not general operating dollars, focused on correcting deficiencies and improving conditions. 

Total Sheriff & Jail Funding Has Increased 

In addition to Consent Decree funding, overall Sheriff and jail funding has increased significantly: 

• $196 million in 2025 
• $233.7 million in 2026 

That is a substantial growth in funding over a short period of time. 



At the same time, the Sheriff has stated that an additional $118 million is needed to fully address ongoing operational, staffing, and facility challenges within the jail system. While the Sheriff continues to request additional funding beyond the approved increases, it is important for residents to understand that the jail has not experienced stagnant or declining budgets. The County has consistently approved major funding increases in an effort to improve safety, staffing, compliance, and conditions within the facility 

Where the Money Is Going 



The investments are specific and structured: 

2025 Investments 

• $5.8 million – Facilities 
• $3.9 million – Staffing (retention bonuses, overtime, supplemental staffing) 
• $915,000 – Detainee Healthcare 
• $677,000 – Security Enhancements 

2026 Budgeted 

• $31.9 million – Facilities 
• $9.8 million – Staffing 
• $2.7 million – Healthcare 
• $1 million – Security 

These allocations address infrastructure, maintenance, staffing stability, medical services, and security systems. 

Potential Costs of a New Jail 

There have been discussions about constructing a new jail facility estimated at approximately $2 billion. 

A project of that magnitude would have significant long-term financial implications for Fulton County residents. Any proposal of this scale requires careful analysis of potential tax impacts and long-term debt obligations. Residents deserve a clear understanding of what different facility options could mean for their property taxes before decisions of that size are made. 

Clarifying the Conversation 

There is no question that serious issues exist within the Fulton County Jail, and they demand continued attention and action. However, a prevailing narrative suggests these challenges are primarily the result of underfunding. That characterization is misleading and does not reflect the full financial picture. 

In recent years: 

• Funding has increased significantly. 

• Dedicated dollars have been allocated specifically for Consent Decree compliance. 

• Major operational and facility improvements are actively underway. 

While resources are essential, funding alone does not resolve every challenge. Many of the ongoing concerns involve management practices, staffing deployment, internal oversight, and day-to-day operational decisions. 

As stewards of taxpayer dollars, our responsibility is twofold: to provide the resources necessary to meet federal standards and ensure humane conditions — and to insist those resources are managed effectively and responsibly. 

Renovations & Mental Health Expansion 



The County is investing in improvements to the existing facility, including renovations and expanded mental health capacity. Addressing behavioral health needs inside the jail is critical for both safety and compliance.

With the addition of the new mental health facility, the goal is not only to improve care for individuals in custody, but also to reduce recidivism and incarceration by addressing the root causes that often contribute to individuals entering the criminal justice system in the first place.



40% of our jail population has mental or behavioral health issues. By implementing a mental health facility, the hope is that those with mental or behavioral health issues will be treated. Recidivism rates will decline and the overall incarceration rate will also decline. 

Sheriff Labat’s Perspective 

To ensure transparency and provide a complete picture of the ongoing discussions surrounding the Fulton County Jail, it is important to include perspectives from the partners responsible for operating the facility. The following summarizes Sheriff Patrick Labat’s perspective following the March 4 Board of Commissioners meeting. 

Sheriff Labat noted that several efforts to address jail population and operations are already in place, including the Inmate Advocacy Unit, which reviews cases to identify individuals eligible for release or transfer, coordination with justice partners, and agreements with other counties to house inmates to help relieve overcrowding. 

He also expressed concern that recent proposals regarding the jail were introduced publicly without prior coordination with the Sheriff’s Office, noting that some of the suggested measures are already underway and emphasizing the need for continued collaboration among county leadership. 

Additionally, Sheriff Labat clarified that the Sheriff’s Office operating budget for FY2026 is approximately $156.6 million, not $234 million as has been suggested.* He noted that most of the budget supports personnel and legally mandated services, and that funding related to the federal consent decree is a countywide obligation rather than discretionary funding for the Sheriff’s Office. 

^{*While it is technically true, the sheriff's general fund budget is only $156.6 million, the remaining $77.4 million nevertheless is allocated for the running and maintaining a safe and legally compliant jail.}

Responsible Governance 

Public safety and humane conditions are not partisan issues. They are shared responsibilities. 

My approach remains consistent: 

• Provide the funding necessary to meet federal standards. 

• Invest strategically in infrastructure and mental health services. 

• Protect taxpayers from unnecessary long-term financial burdens. 

• Demand accountability in how public dollars are used. 

We cannot solve complex challenges with rhetoric alone. Real solutions require strategic investment, operational discipline, and accountability at every level. 

Fulton County has committed substantial resources to reform. The next step is ensuring those resources translate into safer conditions, improved management, and long-term stability. 



That is the standard I will continue to uphold. I will continue to provide updates as we move forward and remain committed to transparency throughout this process. 

This month, I joined a bipartisan group led by Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, along with Commissioner Bob Ellis, in formally requesting that Governor Brian Kemp review the ongoing crisis at the Fulton County Jail and consider whether suspension of Sheriff Patrick Labat is warranted. During the Board of Commissioners meeting, disturbing testimony was presented regarding allegations of severe medical neglect involving former inmate Rashaad Muhammad, who reportedly suffered amputations after not receiving necessary medical treatment while in custody.

As commissioners, we have approved significant funding for jail operations, staffing, and improvements, yet residents continue hearing troubling reports about unsafe conditions and failures within the system. This issue is not about politics — it is about accountability, transparency, public safety, and ensuring basic human care within a county facility. I remain committed to supporting meaningful reforms and demanding answers for Fulton County taxpayers and residents.

Residents who would like to share their concerns directly with the Governor’s Office are encouraged to contact Brian Kemp:

🌐Governor’s Office Constituent Services Page

 ✉governor.kemp@georgia.gov

📞(404) 656-1776.

📬206 Washington Street

Suite 203

State Capitol

Atlanta, GA 30334

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