Georgia lawmakers continue probe of Fulton County Jail | State

The Fulton County Jail Subcommittee is examining the “root causes” and possible solutions for fixing the Fulton County Jail following a string of deaths and violence at the facility. Earlier this week, officials said they charged an inmate with aggravated assault and possession of prohibited items in connection with the stabbing of fellow inmate Shannon Jackson, also known as Shannon Stillwell, a current co-defendant in the high-profile Young Slime Life — or YSL — street gang trial.

Despite continued concerns about the facility’s conditions, county officials said they have reduced the jail’s population from about 3,600 detainees two-and-a-half years ago to 2,819 on Dec. 7. However, the county sheriff told lawmakers that some detainees don’t want to accept a plea deal that would allow them to leave the jail.

“You’d be surprised at the number of people … we have gone to [who are charged with] misdemeanors and said, ‘Okay, here’s the offer.’ And people would just rather stay in jail,” Fulton County Sheriff Patrick “Pat” Labat told the committee.