Fulton County has asked a judge to end federal supervision of its troubled Rice Street jail.

On Friday the county filed a motion in U.S. District Court in Atlanta to end a consent decree that has long governed the operation of the jail.

“While I cannot comment on the legal issues involved in the filing, I know the county has worked tirelessly to address all of the issues which led to the case being filed,” County Commission Chairman John Eaves said Wednesday.

In 2004 the Southern Center for Human Rights filed a lawsuit over unsafe, overcrowded jail conditions. The parties later agreed to a consent order that called for dozens of improvements. The county has largely finished that list, though it has struggled to keep the jail fully staffed.

About the Author

Keep Reading

State Election Board members John Fervier (center) and Janice Johnston (right) listen along with Executive Director James Mills during a session and consider investigations of election fraud and misbehavior at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta in July. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Featured

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins' Senate campaign used Sen. Jon Ossoff's Senate portrait (center) to create an AI-generated video of Ossoff talking about his vote not to end the government shutdown.  The video was reposted to Collins' campaign account on X (left). (Screenshot)

Credit: Screenshot