The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office could be a step closer to receiving $6.4 million in supplemental funding to cover overtime pay and staffing incentives for the troubled county jail — months after commissioners first approved the funds. The sheriff’s office and county administration are “in current talks” to receive the funds, said Natalie Ammons, the […]
Tag: Jail
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Keisha Lance Bottoms’ legacy: Facility, services for mental health, drug issues
A legacy of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms may be a facility with services to help those struggling with issues of mental health, drugs and extreme homelessness. The program is portrayed as an alternative to arrest and incarceration.
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As mayoral campaign launches, Mayor Bottoms’ carceral reforms scrutinized
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ two major criminal justice reform efforts face rising scrutiny from the Atlanta City Council as her reelection campaign gets underway.
Posted inMaggie Lee
Speedy trial? Not so fast. Georgia’s considering longer deadlines.
Witnesses forget, victims give up, people sit in jail.
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Fulton sheriff presses Atlanta for use of jail
Mayor’s office says her vision is a “higher and better purpose” for that land.
Posted inMaggie Lee
No-shows rise in Atlanta court; chief judge calls the causes a “mixed bag”
Folks don’t realize a no-show can mean losing a driver’s license, says top judge
Posted inMaggie Lee
Mental health episodes are ending in Georgia jails. The state Legislature may make some changes.
When a medical condition, not criminal intent, is behind bad behavior.
Posted inColumns
Fulton approves $800 million budget
But new sheriff, DA say they’ve discovered costly problems
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Atlanta mayor announces policing plan and moves on jail-closing plan
Bolster support of police, reform policing, and still close the jail
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Report to Atlanta mayor: Close the jail and don’t punish poverty
“It is in everyone’s interest to allow all people to have economic opportunity.”
Posted inMaggie Lee
‘Defund the police’ didn’t pop up overnight. A metro Atlanta activist explains.
“Millions of children go to school where there are many cops, but not one nurse.”
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Atlanta mayor hits pause on budget; public safety spending in the air
Pressure is on to get the city jail shut.
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Questions linger over which way Georgia’s criminal justice system will trend
“Justice” is in the eye of the beholder
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Fulton plans to publish data on criminal justice system — soon
Everybody talking about criminal justice in Fulton should find something of interest soon — that is, when the county starts publishing new, detailed statistics on courts.
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Criticism bubbles up under Atlanta’s policy to curtail cash bail
At public appearances, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms regularly celebrates the city’s moves to close the city jail and get rid of cash bail, but one member of City Council is using the word “failure” for how bail waivers are being implemented.
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Decarceration activists bring message to Fulton County
Fulton County’s commissioners are open about the overcrowding crisis at the county’s main jail. Activists have a solution: stop what they call “over-incarceration” in the county.
Posted inMaggie Lee
Atlanta’s looking to repurpose a jail. It’s in a league with few other cities.
Cities including New York, Dallas and an area near Portland have found themselves with empty prisons or jails recently. And buyers for the big, hulking buildings.
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Six months after Atlanta curtails cash bail, struggles for some defendants remain
Not all those nonviolent offenders who are now free from a bail bondsman have a home to go back to, or have the resources to deal with the mental illness or addiction that may be plaguing them.
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Atlanta to end jail contract with ICE
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Thursday signed an executive order that will end a deal that’s seen the city jail house hundreds and hundreds of detainees on immigration charges on behalf of the federal government.
Posted inMaggie Lee
Activists allege immigrant abuse at Atlanta jail in ICE closure campaign; jailer says record shows high standards
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has hit “pause” on a contract that sees the city jail hold ICE detainees. Activists say one reason she should end it permanently is poor conditions at the jail. The city’s corrections leader says his facility is up to the best standards.
