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General Presentments & Fulton County Jail Inspection Report

July-August 2023 Grand Jury Panel B

Superior Court of Fulton County State of Georgia

Jonathan Razza, Foreman Hailey Morton, Secretary JenniferDelman,Assistant Foreperson 'AnathaSims,Assistant Secretary

.

Inly-August 2023 Grand Jury Panel B Members

Vicky Babcock

'Emma Benkert

Destiny Bryant

'William Campbell

Denise Dauphun

'

Jennifer Delman (Assistant Foreperson)

Daniel Ford

Christian Gordon

Mat Jonsson

Frank Lanicford

Kenneth Limyadi

Anne McKown

Hailey Morton (Secretary)

Alexandra Pajak

Kishan Patel

Brian Petrucelli

AmyPrice

Jenifer Price

JonathenRezza(Foreman)

William Rooks

Anatha Sims (Secretary)

Mike Thompson

Kurl Uz

Jennifer Wills

Justin Yi


IL GRANDJURY PRESENTMENTS

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We,theGrand Jury,selected andsworn or the July-August2023Tem, Panel B,respecfly maketh folowingpesenments:

As of August 31, 202, this GrandJury Pane B hsacted on034 ndicments,resumingB33 True Billed and _4, No Billed duringtheterm.

IL INSPECTION OFTHEFULTONCOUNTY JAIL

• A.LEGALOVERVIEW:STATELowREQUIRESTHEGRANDJURYTOCONDUCTANANNUAL INSPECTIONOFTHECOUNTYJATL.

UnderGeorg aw,the Grand Jurymustperform cstin duties, Relevantheethe granduy must inspectte 'operations,' 'sanitarycondition,'sd thetemperaturecontrols ofthecounty ails 'at leatonce in achcalendaryear'

'Notably, desit thesatutory requirement doso,onlytwo ther Fulon County Grand Jury paneshaveinspectedthe FultonCounty Jail (he 'Ji' withinat eastth ast enyears with one inspection occring io2021 andthe other in 2022. Themost recent inspection took place uringthe November-December2022tom.

• B. THEFULTONCoUNTYSHERIFY'SOFFICERESCHEDULEDAND,ULTIMATELY, 'CANCELLEDTisGRANDJURY'SIN-PERSON JAILINSPECTION.

BecausemembersoftisGrandJuryhadrsdconcerning newsreportregain the Jl, is: GrandJury ampedtoinspecttheJilinaccordancewith isstatutorymandat,Indeed, diving his Grand Juy' first monthofservice, representatives oftheDistrict Atomey'soffi state that hisGrad. Jurywould conductan in-personinspectionofthe Jail and, in accordancewithO.C.G.A.§§ 15-12TI(X3)and 15-12-78,the Grand Jurywould sve reportdetailing is ndings welas 5 recommendationssndpresentments


'Tofacilitatesuch inspection, theDistrict Aorey's office directedtheGrand Juryfo 'communicate withenasigned liaison between th Fulton County District Attomey's Office andother FultonCounty departments.

'During initia discussions abouttheJai inspection Grand Jory members asked whetherthe Grand Jurycouldinspectdocuments andofherinformation. The initial respons receivedwas inthe negative. 'Theassignedliison elaborated, statingthat theGrand Jury would only takewhatwasreferredtoasa 'fieldtrip"to the Jalafer whichtheGrand Jurywouldreceive dratreport forit reviewandthe Foreperson's signature.

OnestheGrandJuryconfirmed independentlythat,underO.C.GA. § 15-1271(c),anygrand Juryorcommitteethere,whileconductinganinspectionof 8countyjail, may 'examine anypapers, books,records,andaccounts'and'compeltheattendance ofwitnesses, and to earevidence,'members ofthe GrandJuryasked membersoftheDistrictAtiomey'sOffice aboutthepossiblityofseving a subpoenato obtain documentsandinformationfrom theJail.

In respons,theDistrict Attorney'sOfficeagainreferedsuch members to the assigned lison, 'Whosubsequentlysated thattheGrandJuryhadnopowertoissue asubpoenaexceptwhenperforming aninvestigation,andrepeatedtha th visit othejailwas'just afel trip'. Subsequent tomembersof thisGrandJuryseekingfurtherclarificationabou theGrandJury's powertosubpoenadocumentsand information, additionalmembersoftheDistrict Attorney'sofficeaddressed theGrandJury.

Asenior memberoftheDistrict Attomey'sofficestatedthattheDistrictAttomey'sOffice noedod 1 researchwhethertheGrand Jurypossessedthepowertoissue a subpoenatothe FultonCounty Jail ndanyattendantprocedural requirements. SuchstatementsurprisedcertainmembersoftheGrand. Jurybecause,duringthe initialweeksoftheGrand Juy'stem,theDistrict Atomey'sOffice had asked thisGrandJuryt Issue 8 subpoenaforcertain medical records pertainingtoa injurythatanincarcerated personsustainedwhiledetainedwithintheFultonCountyJil

Approximatelytwoweeksaferth discussionwiththeseniormemberoftheDistrict Atiomey's office,onAugust 11th, andafterrepeatedrequestsby membersof thisGrand Jurytoissue a subpocna,8 draftofwhichGrandJurymembershad independently prepared, senior attoreyfrom theDistrict Attomey'soffice, presentedtheDistrictAttomey'sOffices research,Thissenioratorneysatedthtthe GrandJurywouldhavegreaterlegalauthoritytoserve subpoena on theFultonCountyJalifthe Grand Juryvotedtoconductaninvestgation-esopposedtoaninspection-oftheJail Whenamemberofthe GrandJuryaedtheseniorattorneywhyhebelieve theGrand Jurywouldhavegreater authorityto issue asubpoena if the GrandJuryvotedtoconduct aninvestigation sopposedtoaninspection,since OCGA.§ 15-12-71(c)usesthedisjunctive 'or'theseniorattorneyinvokedthe'RuleofLeity' snd certain'canonsof statutoryinterpretation.' In dition,thesenior ttoreystatethetifthe GrandJury votedtoserve asubpoenaontheJail,theGrandJurywouldlikelynothavesufficienttim remainingin tsterm oreviewanydocumentsthtth SherifP'sdepartmentmightproduce,orthattheSheriffs depertmentwouldnothavesufficient time available toproducedocuments. Asaresult,thesenor atomeyandanotherrepresentativefromtheDistrict Atiorney'sofficerecommended thatthe GrandJury

'couatygaveming uthoriis 5maybenecessary forth proper heatingandventilationof hej,which recommendationsth county govemingauthoritiesshallsictlyenforce). 2 ee0.C.G.A. §15-12-71(c) ("Anygran juryoranycommitee there whichhasunderaken10conductan


'Vote 0extendistermforseveralweeksor more,Thisvote oextendwasperformedend voted downby theGrandJury.

Inthe week folowing this discussion, on August 18% the Grand Jury redrafied, revised, voted, andultimatelyserved »subpoenadescribed ithsreport,which hues closelytotheGrandJury's mandte 1 inspect the Jail's operations andsanitaryconditions.

'AlthoughtheFultonCounty Sheriff'sOfficeinitially confirmed adate onwhichsuch inspection 'wouldtake place,the FultonCountySheriff's Offce rescheduled thevisit - itingthe DOJinvestigation a8 areason-and, ultimately, canceled this Grand Jurys in-person inspection. TheFultonCounty Sherif'sOfficeindicated thatan in-personinspectionwas nolongerpossiblewithinthisGrand Jury's term,citingthebookingof formerPresidentDonaldTrumpand variousallegedco-conspirators, The FultonCounty Sheriff'sOffics indicated that itwouldprovidepotentialavailability tafiturepanelof theGrandJury.

'The Grand JuryrecognizesthatnootherGrand Juryunder thsDistrictAttorney's administration orpreviousDistrict Attorney'sadministrationshavebeenideatified whichhaveindependentlyutilized their statutorypowersto issue a subpoensforpurposesof nspection of aFulton Countyoie. The. 'Grand Juryrecognizesandappreciatestheefforsofseveralmembers oftheDistrict Attomey'sofficeto researchrelevantstatutes anddocades-okd caselawtoadvise thisGrand Juryandmakefinaledits toa SubpoenathatwasultimatelyissuedtotheFultonCountySherifPs offi.ItisthehopeofthisGrand Jurythattheprocessofissuing GrandJury requestedsubpoenas forthe purposeof inspectionswillbe easierforfutureempaneledGrand Juries inFultonCounty.

Dueinparttotimeconstraints, the Grand Juryissued asubpoena ofa smaller scopethan originallyintendedandcorrespondingly reviewed asmallerportion ofrecordsthan would avebeen necessaryintheGrandJury'sopinionto perform anadequateinspectionregarding» angeofpotential 'operationalissuesthathavebeenraised10 theGrandJury's tention.ThisGrandJury recommendsthata subsoquentGrand Juryuseitssubpoena poweraspatofan inspection o investigation tofarther expand onthisreportanddocumeatsobtained regardingjeiloperations.

'TheFultonCountySherifP's Officeprovidedcertaindocuments andinformation in response to theGrand Jury'ssubpoens,as summarizedbelow,TheSherifP's Officealsorefusedorwas unable Producecertaindocuments andinformation.

LL THESUBPOENARESPONSE

'TheGrand Jury issued 8subpoena toproducerecordsfromthe Fulton CountySherif officewhichwas. servedonAugust18, 2023.The Sherif'officerespondedwith thefollowing on August25,2023. Some 'contentsoftheresponseare generallydescribedorsummarized below.

• A. Grand.JuryInquiryBL:Producedocuments suffcentto showanyandallchanges totheFulton 'County Juil's mentaland physical healthpolicies andproceduresthat were implementedbetween January1, 2022 andthepresent.
• i. HealthScreeningandExaminations

Documents producedbytheSherifP's Office indicateda substantial ange in Standard Operating Procodures(SOP400-11)regarding HealthScreeningand Examinations In Augustof2021. Aportion of thechanges listed in ths SOP, effective August 17,2021, aro as follows:

• ~ Addedorchangedvariouspoliciesandproceduresfor initial health screening andassessment
• ~ Addedor changed variouspolicies andproceduresregarding acomprehensivehealthappraisal
• ~ Addedor changedvariouspolicesandproceduresregardinginfra-system transfers
• ~ Addedor changedprocedures regarding thoprocedure and practi for collectionandrecording. ofhealthappraisals
• + Addedorchangedthatwrittenprocedure andpractiosshallprovidethat jalopereionsandhealth personnelaretrainedtorespondtohealth-relatedsituationswithin a4-minuteresponsetime,such rainingto beconductedonanannulbesis
• + Addedorchanged determinationbythe health authority the conditionsforperiodic health 'examinationsforinmates
• ~ Added orchangedthttraining instructions mustbeprovidedto recognize signs andsymptoms andknowledgeofactionrequiredinpotetial emergencysitutions
• -Addedorchangedthattraninginstructions mustbeprovidedformethodsofobtainingassistance
• -Addedorchangedthattraininginstructions mustbeprovidedforadministrationofbasicfirstaid
• ~ Addedorchangedthattraninginstructions mustbeprovidedforsignsandsymptomsofmental illness, violentbehavior,and acutechemicalintoxicationend withdrawl
• ~ Addedorchangedthattraning instructions mustbe providedforsuicide intervention
• ~ Addedorchangedthattraining instructions mustbeprovidedforpatient transfersto appropriate 'medica facilities orhealthcaroproviders
• ~ Addedorchangedthattraninginstructions mustbeprovidedforcertificationinCPR.
• -Addedorchangedtransportationsystemassuring timelyaccesstoservioesonlyavailable outside: thefacilityaddressingprioritizationofmedicalrecord,urgency, and transferofmedical information
• -Addedorchangedonsite infirmarycare(if present) minimumrequirementsincluding definition ofservices available, on-callphysician24 hoursperda,acosssbyhealthcaropersonnelton physicianorregisterednurseonduty24hours perday wheapatientsarepresen,inmates tobe withinsighto soundof &staffmember, 8manualincludingnursingcare procedres, an infirmary recordthat i aseparatesection ofthefullmedicalrecord,andcompliance withsatestatutes and licensing requirements
• -Addedorchangeddetailforcoverageofchronicconditionsspecifyingcareandtreatment including monitoringof medications,lab tasting,useof chroniccareclinics,healthrecordforms, andfrequencyofspecialist consultationand review
• + Addedorchanged awrittenlitofreferalsourcesforemergency androutinecare obereviewed 'andupdated annually

'Thefollowingprocédures werealreadypresentand nmaifiedinthisSOP at thetimeoftheeffective date:

• Procedure andpracticeforsickcalltobeconducteddailybyaphysicianandlorotherqualified personnel, including 8procedure forrespondingto inmate reportfornon-emergencyillnessand injury, sikcallprocedurssupervisedbythefuiltyphysicianordesignee, treatmentwithin a timeperiodprovidedbythefacility physicianordesignee,arrangements for sick calservices at alternatelocations, andmeeting of theneeds of inmateno-emergenthealthcareneeds.

il. MentalandPhysicalHealthPolicies

'The SherifP'sOfficeproduced documents indicatingasubstantial change inStandard Operating 'Procedures (SOP 400-13)regarding Mental HealthProgram ServicesinOctoberof 2021. Whereas 'previously this Standard Operating Procedures (hereinafter SOF)mentioned the needfo the health authorityto'ensurethatallinmateswith mental health problems maintaintheirbest leveloffunctioning. 'whileincustody,'thedocument also statedthatwritenpolicyand procedares, possibly defined elsewhere, wouldspecifythe parameters ofmeatal healthanddisability treatment at th fuilty,thisSOP 'document lacked certain details regardinghow these proceduresmustbe implemented.

EffectiveOctober8,2021,thefollowing changeswereimplement tthe SOP400-13foralljail 'operationsregarding MentalHealth Program Services:

• ~ Addedorchangedrequirementfor screening for mentalhealthproblems on intake.
• foracutepsychiatric episodes. 'Addedorchangedstabilizationof
• ~ Addedorchangedrequirementfor referral to outpatientservicesformental linesses. ~ Addedorchangedcrisis intervention and management
• to licensed mental healthfacilitesfor inmates whose 'needsexceedfacility treatment capebiliies. + Addedorchanged obiaining
• mentallyilland preventionofpsychiatric deterioration. 'Addedorchangedreferalandadmission
• anddocumenting informed consent, ~ Addedorchangedapprovalofmental
• healthservicesbythe appropriste meatal heathauthority. = Addedorchangedrequirementofintial
• -Addedorchangedmentalbealthscreening requirementsconcerningdetalsof inquiry, 'observation,andinmatedisposition.
• heathscreeningfor al inmatesby mental-health 'personnel.
• -Addedorchangedtimeframeofmental health appraisalforreferredinmates within 14daysof admissionto the ucilty.
• -Addedorchangedreferral otreatment, useofassessmenttools asneeded, anddevelopment snd implementation of treatment plan includinghousing assignment jobassignment andprogram participation.
• -Addedorchangedcomponents of mentalhealthexaminations including assessmentsofcurrent 'mental statusandcondition, suicidal potential,violence potentialhistoricpsychiatric treatment records,medicationtreatment history,therapyandsupport, historicdragandalcohol treatmeat, education history,sexualabuse,predatory behavior,drugandalcobolabuseand addiction.
• + Addedorchanged ovaluation ofindividuals withseverementalilnessordevelopmental disabilities and referralfo placement inaltsmatofciltis.
• + Addedorchangedrequiredconsultbetween programadministrator ordesignee and responsible linician ordesigneepriorto takingsoonregardingchronically Il, physicallydisabled,geriatric, seriously mentally ill,o developmentaly disabled inmates regarding housing sssignments, programassignments, disciplinary measures, andfacilitytransfers.

• B. GrandJuryInquiry#2: Produce documentssufficienttoshowanyand all changestotheFulton (County Jail' cleaning processes and procedurethatwere implementedbetween January1, 2022and thepresent.

I. Sanitation Procedures, Inspections, andHousekeeping Program

'TheSheriff'sOffice produceddocumentsindicating changes inStadardOperating Procedures(SOP 100-05) regardingtheSanitation Procedures, Inspections,and HousekeepingProgrameffectiveinJuneof 20.

'Whereaspreviouslythis SOP identified the need for acleanand sanfaryenvironmentand instructions regardingsanitation,cleaning,pstand veemin contro,andgeneralhousckesping,the revisedSOP made effectiveonJune 14,2023 addeddetailsspecifying:

• ~ A minimummonthly inspection by &contractedpest controlcompany. ~
• Detailspecifyinghousekeepingplans coveringal facilityeraswillincludedaly housekeeping throughasignmentofesponsibilites to stafand inmatesandthatfciliesshal becleansndin goodrepair.

'TheSheriff's Offce alsomade unspecifiedchangestothisSOPon February 1, 2022.

'Thefollowingprocedures wersalreadypresentand unmodified inthisSOPatthe imeofthe June2023 effectivedate:

• ~ Appointmentof aSanitationSupervisorbytheChief Jailerresponsiblefor ic, safety, sanitation inspectionsbyindependent agencies, andcoordinating activities ofDivision FireSafty and SanitationOffices.
• membersmustat a isimum receiveon-the-jobtainingfrom the facility's qualified Safey/Sanittion Specialisto fiosafetyofficer.
• ~ AppointmentofaSanitation Officer bytheChiefJale forconducting, documenting,ad coordinatingweeklyinspection scheduledbythe Sanitation Supervisor. ~ Qualified sta
• ~ Weaklysanitationinspections inalareascovering cleanlinessandorderliness, lighting,
• ~ Inspectionofinmatehousingareasforperishablefoodsandems thamayenticspestsor vein,physicalinspectionoffclityfo potential hidingplacesofvermin, placementofbooks magazines andnewspapers.
• veatilation,heating, healthhazards,equipment functioning,plumbingequipment,toilet,bath, and nundryfacilities,verminandpests.
• -Inspectionfordalycleaningand moppingofcells ndtl aoss.
• -Notifications ofInspectionsfo schedulingpurposesand reschedulingwhennecessary.
• -Inspection ofwastereceptacles to boemptiedand washeddaly.
• ~ Writenexplanation finspections arcunablefobe completed. ~
• Tnspection reportstobe distributed to Chie Jailer andfcilityand ifwatchcommanders.
• -Assignedresponsibilty to AdministrativeSection CommandersorWatchCommander 0correct deficiencies recordcorrectionsmade,anddeliverreportof orctionsto th ChiefJailer or 'Administrative Section Commander within 24 hous.
• ~ InspectionreporttobedistributedtoSectionFire, Safety,and SanitationSupervisors.

• Inspection reports to be forwarded to theChif Jailer and Fire Safety, and Sanitation Officer Supervisors within 7 daysof inspection.
• ~ Fulton County Health Department Inspections to be conducted annually with results submitted to Sheriff.
• Sanitation Officer reviews reports and advises commandersof areasof deficiency.
• ~ Written housekeeping plan to be maintained for all facility arcas.
• ~ Sanitation Supervisorto ensure housekeeping plans arc adhered to by staff
• ~ Review and approvalofhousekesping plan bytheSanitation Supervisoror designee and a copy ofthe plan kept on file by the ChiefJailer and Weich Commanders
• + Standards to be maintained include floors to be kept clean, dry and polished,sinksand toilets clean,fumitureandcountersclean,windows andmirrorsclea, laundered mopsandrags, doorsfracks clean, and trash removed and stored promptly in designated locations.
• ~ Dailyinspectionoffoodservice reas, staff, andinmateworkers.
• ~ Daily, weekly, and monthly documented inspestions ofall areas, eviewsofthose reports, and actionstaken to address discrepancies found.
• + Weekly inspection offood serviceby qualified departmentstaffmember.
• Daily inspectionofthe laundry room and equipment. ~ Weekly Safety Sanitation Inspection ofal areas,
• ~ Weekly inspectionoffood service reas by Accreditation Unitstaff member.
• -ComprehensivemonthlySafety/SanitationInspection of afciltyareasby aFireand Safety/Sanitation Specialist.
• Weekly inspectionsoffood serviceareas.
• ~ Annualinspectionbyfederal,statsandlorlocal sanitation andhealthoffical.
• -Aunualinspectionsofthe kitchenby theFulton CountyHealthDepartment. -Pestivermincontroltobeprovided
• on ascheduledbasisoras neededby a qualifiedprofessional exterminatorwith all serviced areas documented.
• C. GrandJuryInquiry43:Produceany and llcurrent processesandprocedures fornotifyingthenextof kin,emergencycontact,personalrepresentative, spouse,orfamily memberof detained person who isexperiencing, hisexperienced, orwhohasbeendiagnosedwith amentalhealthcondition or episode.
• i. Process for Notifying Emergency Contact, Familyor RepresentativeofInmates Experiencing Mental Health Conditions

'The Sherif's Office's response: 'No responsive records. Additionally, this request secks documents thet may be covered by regulations regarding the confidentialityofindividuals medical and health information.'

'Although the Fulton CountySherif's Office denied that any responsive records exis, the Sheriff's Office 4150objected to this request based on regulations regarding the confidentialityof individuals medical and health information. ThisGrand Jury disagrees with suchobjection.Thisrequest doesnotseek protected healthinformation. Rather, it seeksonlyprocesses andprocedures. BasedontheSheriffOffica's response,thisGrandJuryconcludesthat no such processesorprocedures exist.

• . GrandJuryInquiry#4: Produce documents sufficient o show the nunber ofdetained people with 'serious mental liness currently waiting o be transferred to ste hospital for competency restoration.

I Number of Inmates Awaiting Transfer for Competency Restoration

'The Shrifs Off response: 'Fulton County Jail carenly have 60 individual who are wating to goto 'hospitalsfor competency restoration.'

• E. GrandJury Inquiry#5: Producedocumentssufficient toindicateallcurrentlymissing or 'malfunctioningdoor locks in any and all Fulton County Jail facilities and Annexes.
• IL Malfunctioning or Non-CompliantFacllity Equipment

Documentation produced by the Sheriff's Office indicated that asofMay 8, 2023:

'The following equipment and facilities have been noted as 'Non-Compliant' inLocations 3N, 38, IN, IN,4N,48, 5N, 58,68,6N,7N,7S, 25.Noteallcostslistedinthissectionare indicatedas'WorstCase Costs.' Acompoundingfactorusedforbudgetarypurposesisnotincludedinthedetailedfiguresinthe table below.



The totalcostincluding CompoundingFactorthroughJune2024islistedas$13,132,580

'ThenumberofMalfunctioningdoors indicatedin aseparate documentasofAugust3,2023:

Malfunelionin;

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Ntmber:

]


• F. Grand.JrInquiry#6:Produce documents uflicent1showthe ob il and numberofsayandall currentlyuniled sing positions within thFulton County Ji,
• i. Jail UnderstaffingDae fo VacantPositions

Documentationproducedbythe SherifP's Offic indicatedthat asof August20, 2023the following 78 staffingpositionsrevacanuniled:

Waaiion,

1.1 SENET: 5] Vilcant Position

Count



Forpurposesofexample,given s hypotheticalfullyloaded averagecostof $250,000peryearpervacant position, andassumingnooffctingreductioninlawsuitpelsorsetementsoroth cost resulting fromincreasedstaffing,theannualcost to fl al stedvacantsayposionswool be $19,500,000.

• G. GrandJyInguiry#7:Producedocumentssufficient 1 showth nameofayandaljis,prisons, or otherpenal institutionsinwhich theFultonCounty Jailcurentlyleases beds,asweil as the umber ofpeop inFultonCountycustodyheld ineachfcily.
• H. Grand ryInquiry #8:Producedocumentsidentifying the maxizumpopulationcapactyofesch Fulton County Jal fclity, includingany and all Annexes.

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i Jall Capacity and Reported Overcrowded Conditions

Documentation producedbythe Sherif's Office indicatedthatasoftheperiod between August 18%and August 20%, 2023

'Total Jail Population: 3643 'LoanOuts-Other Agencies: 21 LoanOuts-Medical Facilities: 27 PortableSleepingDevices: 451

FlanosalioNa MaxGlsci {57 45 TPBouiy



'Qusoureed Location Population


• 'ACDCDaily not included in total
• 1. GrandJuryInquiry#9;Produceanyand al reportsofrecommendationsaboutthejalin theSheriff 'Office's possessionofany Fulton County GrandJuryempancledbetweenJan1, 2020andthepreset.
• I Receipt, Consideration,andRetentionofGrand JuryJailRecommendationsand Reports

'The Sheriff's Office's response: 'No responsive records.'


'This Grand Jory is aware that Fulton County Grand JuryA empaneled fo the November/December 2022term submitted an inspectionreportfocusedon theFulton County Jailwhich wasnotproducedby the Sherif's Office in response t this Grand Jury's subpoena request.

• IV. RECOMMENDATIONSREGARDINGTHE PROCESSESAND PROCEDURESOF THEFULTON 'COUNTYGRANDJURYTO CONDUCT INSPECTIONSAND ISSUE GRAND JURYREQUESTED SUBPOENAS
• 1. Makenecessary changss to cusurethat futureGrand Juriesinitiating an inspectionofthe Jal are: abletoestablish an inspection datebeforethelastmonthofempaneiment 0allow timefor rescheduling,follow-upinquires, and timetoproduce a report.Anycouatyofficesubjectfo inspectionby aGrand Juryshoukdmakealreasonable fortstoaccommodate adateof inspection specifiedbytheGrandJury.Notwithstanding exception! circumstances, th schedule establishedforthe Grand Jury's inspection ofthe Jal or any othercountyoffice shouldnotbe alteredwithout approval ofthepresiding Judge.
• 2. MakenecessarychangestoensurethtfuturoGrand Juriesar fullyawareoftheirabil to conductinspectionsontheir own accordofcountyoffices,which includesthepowertosubpoena documentsasdeterminednecessary by eight(8)ormore members oftheGrand Jury. Such inspections donotnecessarilyrequireanextensiontothetenoftheGrand Jury.
• 3. MakenecessarychangestoensurethatfutureGrandJuries arosufficiently informedatthe timeof intial empanelmenttroughwrittendocumentationofth processesandproceduresforissuing subpoenas, sdeterminednecessarybythe Grand Juryandnotbyanyothe offic,for the purposeofGrand Juryinspectionsandlorinvestigationsintocountyoffices.
• 4. Implement oversightmeasaresinvolvingat leasttwoFultonCountyoffices (for examplethe DA's officeand JudicialOffice),no toincludetheSheriff's Office, to ensurethatFultonCounty GrandJury Jailinspectionsareperformedat castanaly.
• 5. Ensurethatanypreviously issuedGrand Juryreports inthelast twoyearspertainingto anyoffice thatany futureGrand Jury inspects orinvestigates isprovidedtothenextinspectingor investigatingGrand Jury.
• 6. Ensurethat anypreviousGrandJoyissuedsubpoenas andresulting documentsproducedforthe purposeof inspection o investigation of acountyoffice nth asttwoyears reprovidedto the nextinspectingorinvestigating rand Jury performing asimilainspection o investigation.
• V. RECOMMENDATIONSREGARDINGTHE FULTONCOUNTYJALLANDRELATED ORSUPPORTING FULTONCOUNTYOFFICES

'ThisGrand Juryrecommendsthtthe Jal undertakethe following stops toensurethat iat least meetsallConstitutionalminimumstandards.

• A. Address Structural Conceras, Staffing Shortages, and Capacity Limitations

BetweenOctober2013 andOctober 2016,the Jail operatedunder nConsentDero oresave its fiuhy locks, staffing shortages, and overcrowding. As a rosut ofsuch Consent Decree, the Jal came into atleast partial compliance for period.

'Seven years ner, the Jail hes roidivated. Tay, is strcturs ro 'clpldated snd rapidly eroding 78 positions remain unfilled, and inmatescontinueto seep on 'portable sleeping devices.'

Accordingly, this Grand Jury recommends thatthe Jail ene ito a court-spproved and coursupervisedmonitoringandcomplisnceplan aspert of anyeffortto esolv thfdera investigation info these matters. Anysuch monitoring and compliance plan should inode, among other things, specific, measurable milestones toresolvethe structural concems, staffing shortages, and capaity limitations.

B. Address useofExcessive Fores,Inadequate Healthcare,and Other Inhumaze Conditions

In 2006consent degre, acout foundthat thoJail suffered rom nbumane conditions, including inadequatehealthcareand vilenco, amon other severe problens.

• AttomeyGeneralMerrickGarlndrentlysatedthatthe LS.Departmentof Justice ©... launched[an] investigation ino theFulton County Jail basedonserous allegationsofunsafe, 'unsanitary livingconditionsatthejul, excessiveforco nd violencewithin thejail, discrimination against incarceratedindividualswth meatal healthsues,ad flue 0provideadequatemedical careto incarcerated individual.'

'ThisGrand Juryrecommends hatthe Jailener acourtapprovedand court-supervised 'monitoringandcomplianceplanaspat ofanyeffort toresolveth federalinvestigation.Anysuch monitoring andcomplianceplanshouldinclude, amongotherthings, specific, measurable milestonesto Tesolveinstancesofexcessiveforce,th provision of indequatehealthcare,adothrinhumane. conditions within the Jail.

C. AddressLice,Bedbugs,and Other Infestations

Asthemedia havewidelyreported, LawshawnThompson, a35-year-oldmandied in September GF2022inabedbuginfestedcel inFultonCounty Jo'spsychiatricwing™

'TocombatanyinfestationstisGrand Jury recommendsthe folowing:

• + Thatthe Jail seek sufficientfundstoconduct routine monitoringforbedbug, including, butnot limitedt, theuseofbedbugsniffingdogs. Furthermore, thisGrandJuryrecommendstha the Jil routinelyexterminate fo bedbugsandothrpestsandvermin,Until all uman-borne infestations ar resolved, the exten possible, thisGrand Jury recommendsthatthe Jailmachine wash llbeddingand othe machine-washable items veryfivedays n waterofa temperature exceading120degrees Fahrenheit. The Jailshouldfreeze emsatsmaximumtemperatureof degreesFahrenheit that cannotbemachine washedfr a miniroumoffourconsecutivedays or execute otherprofessionally.recommended meansofresolving infestations.
• «That dhe Jal mops or vacuums al common areas at last daly.

• «That theGeorgiaDepartment of Health considersadjustingthefrequencyof Pulton County Jail inspectionsas determined necessarybythe Health Department.

D.Other Jail-Related Recommendations

• «Increase in FultonCountySheriffsOffice budgetasnecessarytoaccommodaterecommended staffinglevels- giventha ther are 78 vacantpositions reported andpossibly moreneeded andprovide adequate compensationtoattract and retain adequate ui staff. By meansof example thisGrandJury hascrafted apotentially high figureof $19.5M to illustrate hypotheticalcost to fully staf the 78 vacantpositions. Whatever theactualannualcostwouldbe,itwouldresult in additional jobsforcountyresidents inaddition 0 a Likely substantiaimprovement to operations andsafetyofthejailaswllas areduced likelihoodof costlylawsuits. Assuminghypothetical $250,000perstaffmemberaddingup $19.5M,thiswouldbeapproximately 1% or lessofthecost ofanew aii afciltythatwouldal requir sufficient staffing levels to operatecffectively.
• + ProvidefundingasneededtotheFulton CountySherif'Officet bring equipmentandfacilties 'withinthe jail to compliance. ConsideringtheSherif'Office'searlier sated andpotentially over-stimated figureof$13,132,580 necessarytobrig certainJalfacilities to complience and 'comparingthi to reportedlyconservative cost estimates of S1.6Bfor new ai facility,this animalcostwill ikelyrestinasignificantimprovementtojailoperations,well-beingandsafety atessthan 1%ofth costof newJal.
• «Advocate andpartnerwithFulton countyofficesandothrrelatedorganizations 0aggressively identifyaltemaive meansof rehabilitating inmateswith meatal health issues, thosewhoare. convictedoflessercrimes,orthosechargedwithlessercrimes and awaitingindictment.
• + Consideringthat thelestGrandJury report regardingthe ailwasnotproducedin response to & subpoenaservedtothe ShesifP'sOffice,implement measuresnecessary to ensue thatthe Fulton 'CountySheriff'sofficeand ChiefJale receives, reviews,considers,andretainsallGrandJury issuedreports,includingthisreport, pertaining 1 theFultonCounty Jail
• «Implement newpoliciesandproceduresinvolvingtheSherifF'sofficeandothercountyoffices aadsupportingorganizationsasnecessary tomakereasonable attemptstocontact family members,emergencycontacts,orrepresentatives of inmates withsignificantmental healthissues topromoteoutsidesupportfor inmates and to increasethenumberofinmatesthatareabitopost bond.
• «The nextempaneledGrandJuryshouldcompletotheJulinspectionprocesswithfullknowledge ofthecontentsofthisreport, sthisGrand Jurywasnotabletoinspectthejalas originally plannedorissuesubpoenas in atimelymanner 1 gatherinformationnecessary to conducta sufficient inspectionofthe allan Itsoperations.Specifically,the nextempaneledGrandJuty shallberead thisreportandgiven acopyinth firstofficial rand Jury sessionfolowingtheir empancling.


'We wish to recommend that acopyofthis Grand Jury July/August 2023 Term, Pancl B resentmentsbe. Sm

Mr. Robb Pitts, Chairman, Fulton County Board ofCommissioners;

Ms. Natalie Hall, Vice Chair, Fulton County BoardofCommissioners;

Mr. Bob Ellis, Fulton County Board ofCommissioners;

Ms. Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, Fulton County Bordof Commissioners;

'Ms. Lynn Paxton, M.D., M.P.H., Georgia DepartmentofPublic Health;

'Curtis Clark, Fulton CountyChiefJailer;

Patrick 'Pat' Labat, Fulton County Sheriff,

Ms. Fani Willis, Fulton County District Attomey;

Hon. Ural Glanville, Fulton County Superior CourtChief Judge;

'Hon.CraigL. Schwall, FultonCounty Superior CourtJudge; He Seinn tnrrpr cnt

'Hon. Robert C. 1 McBurney, Fulton CountySuperiorCourt Judge;

'TheFultonCountyGrandJuryPanel Bof theJuly /AugustTermhas preparedthis reportof Grand Jury 'Presentmentsandrequestthatthereport bepublishedasprovidedforin O.C.G.A. § 15-12-80.

Submitted this 31% dayof August,2023bytheFulton CountyGrandJuryJuly/AugustTerm 2023, Panel B

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ORDER

The foregoing General Presentments of the July / August Term of 2023 of the Grand Jury, Panel B, having been presented to this Honorable Court, and the Court having reviewed ts contents and being otherwise fully advised in the premises,

IT1S ORDERED that the General Presentments of the July/August Term 2023of the Grand Jury, Panel 8, be filed with the Clerkofthe Superior Court.

IT 1S FURTHER ORDERED that the General Presentments of the July/ August Term, 2023 of the Grand Jury, Panel B, pursuant to the provisions of 0.C.G.A. § 15-12-80, shall be submitted for publication by the Clerk of Fulton County Superior Court in the Fulton County Daily Report, the official county legal organ within fifteen (15) days,as a legal notice at least one time with costs to be paid from the general funds ofFulton County.



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THE HONORABLE KEVIN FARMER JUDGE, SUPERIOR COURT OF FULTON COUNTY