ATLANTA — A subcommittee met again in Fulton County over the many issues plaguing the jail on Thursday, according to a press release from the Georgia Senate's office.
It's scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Georgia State Capitol. The subcommittee, chaired by Majority Caucus Whip Sen. Randy Robertson, is expected to discuss "current incidents and challenges reported at the Fulton County Jail."
This is the second meeting of the subcommittee; the first was earlier in November. It has followed numerous deaths in the last months and reports on the deteriorating conditions inside the facility that prompted a U.S. Department of Justice investigation and Sheriff Pat Labat's attempts to clear overcrowding by transferring inmates elsewhere.
Following that meeting, a Fulton County detention officer was arrested in a case involving contraband. An 11Alive report in November also looked into hundreds of unconvicted defendants who are spending months awaiting formal charges.
Later in December, the Rice Street jail got the news that the Fulton County Board of Commissioners debated the recommended $1.75 billion for a completely new facility, which would allow for 4,416 beds and wraparound services.
That's roughly 3.9 times the capacity the existing Rice Street jail was designed for. Government officials are looking at a sales tax to help fund the project but will have to leave it up to voters.
Specifics were not provided for Thursday's meeting; check back for new information.