Federal judge agrees to drop consent decree against Fulton County

U.S. District Chief Judge Thomas Thrash Jr. has granted Fulton County’s motion to terminate a consent gecree imposed nine years ago.

Since the consent decree was first put in place in 2006, Fulton County has invested millions in improvements to the Fulton County Jail, including upgrades to hearing, air conditioning, elevators, backup generator system, plumbing upgrades, and replacement of cell locks. The Board of Commissioners has also provided funding to support staffing levels at the jail.  In addition, Fulton County launched Odyssey Case Management system to improve information sharing among justice partners, further enhancing operations at the Jail and the justice system as a whole.

“The judge’s decision reflects the hard work Fulton County staff have put in to improving conditions at the jail,” John H. Eaves, Fulton County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman, said in a news release. “The County’s efforts to alleviate overcrowding and improve safety conditions for both staff and prisoners have been formally acknowledged, and for that we are extremely pleased.”