FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat said he has sent 100 detainees to the Cobb County Jail to help alleviate overcrowding at his county’s jail.
Labat described the move as “critical” and “necessary” to reduce the population at the 901 Rice Street Jail.
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“I am appreciative of Sheriff Craig Owens and the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office for providing housing for these individuals. A top priority for me is ensuring humane conditions for persons in our care and control. Sheriff Owens and I agreed upon a set criteria for those detainees eligible for the program. All of the individuals moved have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and are classified as nonviolent offenders. This is a huge step in getting our detainees off the floor,” Labat said.
The detainees were checked by medical professionals before being moved to Cobb County’ jail, Labat said. The 100 are facing misdemeanor charges and accused of nonviolent offenses.
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Currently, the Fulton County Jail system has a population of just under 3,100 detainees, with more than 300 of them using portable sleeping devices, Labat said.
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The Rice Street facility opened in 1989 and quickly became overcrowded.
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