DOJ Probes Conditions at Georgia's Fulton County Jail

The Department of Justice has launched a civil investigation into Fulton County Jail in Georgia following allegations of constitutional violations, including the mistreatment of incarcerated individuals with psychiatric conditions. The investigation will examine living conditions, access to medical and mental health care, excessive use of force, and potential discrimination against those with psychiatric conditions. The probe was prompted by credible allegations of an incarcerated person dying covered in insects and filth. The jail has also faced issues such as structural safety concerns, violence resulting in serious injuries and homicides, and officers being prosecuted for excessive force. An independent autopsy revealed that Lashawn Thompson, who died in the jail, suffered from severe neglect. The investigation is being conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.