|
|
| Fulton to Move 500 Inmates |
| By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |
| Published: 12/19/2005 |
|
The Fulton County Sheriff's Office will begin transferring at least 500 inmates this week to lockups in South Georgia to ease persistent overcrowding. The transfers will put the county's jail population at its Rice Street facility below the 2,250 level in a federal consent agreement that would settle a lawsuit over conditions at the jail. The population last week was 2,881. Sheriff Myron Freeman would only confirm that agreements were reached to house his inmates but would not say where they are going, when they would leave or how much the county will pay. Freeman, however, already is being criticized by defense lawyers, who are threatening to sue the county because the relocations will put more distance between them and their clients. While "outsourcing" inmates may help the county comply with the proposed consent order, which is expected to be signed early next year, it may also create problems for judges trying to manage huge caseloads. Those being transferred will not include defendants who face death penalty trials, so Brian Nichols, accused of gunning down a Fulton judge and three other people in March, will not be among them. Pelham Police Chief Neallie McCormick and Decatur County Sheriff's Office Capt. Janice Van Kirk confirmed last week that they would pick up a total of 180 Fulton inmates early next week. McCormick said he expected to eventually house more once a deal is worked out between the city of Pelham and the state to lease an empty 225-bed prison in Mitchell County. Pelham will charge Fulton $35 a day per inmate. The cost will include housing, clothing, feeding and transporting inmates to and from Atlanta. Fulton also is talking with Cook and Brooks counties about housing inmates, but no agreement has been reached. Decatur and Brooks counties border the Florida line. Cook and Mitchell, where Pelham is located, are just one county each away from Florida. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think