A Critical Step Forward
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland says, “This proposed consent decree is a critical step toward correcting the dangerous and dehumanizing conditions that have persisted in the Fulton County Jail for far too long.” He emphasizes that after uncovering unsanitary conditions, brutal physical attacks, and other alarming issues, local officials have agreed to a plan that promises real change.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division further explains the gravity of the situation, noting that detention in Fulton County “amounted to a death sentence for dozens of people” due to widespread violence and neglect. She describes the proposed agreement as a national model for fixing similar violations, incorporating stronger safeguards, mental health care, and better educational opportunities—particularly for minors and people with disabilities.
For U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan of the Northern District of Georgia, the path forward is about accountability and cooperative problem-solving. He underscores the need to end the “filthy and unsanitary living conditions” and the “inhumane—and frequently violent—treatment” identified in the DOJ’s investigation.
