Sheriff addresses inmate deaths at Athens-Clarke County Jail, cites fentanyl

“We do believe we have identified the most recent source where that fentanyl was coming in,” said Williams, who added that jail staff are not suspected of involvement.

The individuals who died in custody are: Torrance Bishop, 39, who died on April 22; Shabazz Wingfield, 32, who died on May 5; and Boycie Howard, 31, who died on July 8.

A jail spokesperson confirmed Wednesday the death of a fourth inmate, Brent Boling. The spokesperson attributed Boling’s death to an undisclosed medical condition. Jail officials said Monday that Boling was on life support after he was transferred to a hospital last week.

The sheriff said at Monday’s news conference that his office is working to implement new safety measures, including changes to how staff conduct welfare checks on inmates. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting separate investigations into each death, as well as the presence of drugs in the jail.

The deaths and overdoses are raising concerns among family members, advocates and community leaders.

County Commissioner Ovita Thornton attended the news conference Monday as “a concerned citizen,” she said.

“As a commissioner, how can I help you help the sheriff’s department educate my colleagues?” she also asked Williams.

Williams said the jail is currently understaffed by at least 50 positions and that the facility’s camera system is outdated.

The jail launched a program earlier this year aimed at supporting inmates, including those struggling with substance use, with a long-term goal of reducing recidivism. The program, however, serves about 20 inmates at a time, while the jail’s general population nears 500.

“We have to be at a point where we’re willing to look at resources other people have and pull them together,” Williams said.

“We try to find these resources so that not only while people are incarcerated, when they get out, they’re linked to mental health resources.”