Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat remains adamant that the county must build a new jail despite the Board of Commissioners’ vote Wednesday to approve a $300 million renovation plan, which he described as “smoke and mirrors.”
Labat called a press conference Friday morning to address his disappointment with the vote and to call on the commissioners to reconsider their decision not to support a new, nearly $2 billion facility proposed in December.
“It was my understanding that once it became clear the board was no longer going to pursue building a brand new, $2 billion jail that [the sheriff] was supportive of the renovation plan. I don’t know why he’s going around now saying he’s opposed to it,” Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts told Capital B Atlanta.
Labat told reporters Friday that the sheriff’s office will accept any help the county offers; however, he maintains the need for a completely new jail because the deteriorating facility is only part of the problem.
“I think it’s short-sighted,” Labat said. “This project is putting a Band-Aid on open-heart surgery.”
The majority of Fulton’s commissioners disagree. Last month, they voted 4-2 not to pass a motion that would’ve directed the Office of the County Manager to pursue a sales tax to pay for a new jail.
After the press conference, Labat led media inside the jail to tour three of its housing units: two that were occupied and one currently under renovation. Along the way, he described what he said are problems with the existing building’s construction.
The current jail was designed under a so-called indirect supervision model, which requires more staff to operate. According to Labat, most modern jails are a direct supervision model, which means 24/7 supervision of the incarcerated population and requires less staff because incarcerated people are housed in a central location and resources are brought to them, rather than deputies having to escort them around the building.
Labat also noted the materials used to build the Rice Street jail; he said it was constructed with commercial grade materials as opposed to correctional grade.
With the commercial grade materials, he said, incarcerated people are able to turn deteriorating light fixtures, plumbing, and electrical wiring into weapons that they can use against one another and the deputies.
“Since June 1, we’ve had 10 stabbings and seven shanks found,” he said.
