ATLANTA, Ga. – Leaders of the Georgia Senate confirmed they’ll announce Thursday the creation of a Senate subcommittee to research circumstances on the overcrowded Fulton County Jail.
Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat has referred to as the scenario a “humanitarian disaster.” and has partially blamed the jail’s extreme overcrowding on the district legal professional’s workplace, saying prosecutors aren’t getting by way of a backlog of instances quick sufficient.
Fulton County commissioners are contemplating a $1.7 billion plan to construct a substitute facility for the ageing jail. Within the meantime, the sheriff has requested the approval of an emergency plan to relocate as many as 1,000 inmates to services in South Georgia and Mississippi.
The jail is already below assessment by the U.S. Justice Division. Ten inmates have died in custody this 12 months alone.
The probe by the Georgia Senate subcommittee is predicted to showcase a political battle that has nationwide curiosity. Some state Republicans will eagerly put Fulton County District Legal professional Fani Willis within the scorching seat as she prosecutes former President Donald Trump and others in an election racketeering case. First-term Republican State Sen. Shawn Nonetheless is a Trump co-defendant, and Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones might find yourself being charged individually.
The announcement of the Senate subcommittee is scheduled for 9 a.m. at Liberty Plaza throughout from the State Capitol. Verify again with Atlanta Information First for updates.
