Demanding Justice in Fulton County Jail

From civil rights leaders who have come before us to fight the same injustices in their time, I stand before you today as a proud single mother, an active community member, and an advocate for justice. The fight against injustice is not new, and we have to summon the courage of our ancestors to confront the systemic failures that continue to harm the most vulnerable among us. We have heard too many promises, seen too many reports that expose constitutional violations, and watched as individuals suffer behind bars without basic dignity. It is time to demand accountability from those responsible.

When U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan spoke about the treatment of incarcerated individuals at the Fulton County Jail, he described the failures of the system in heartbreaking clarity. He stated, "The Fulton County Jail has repeatedly failed to protect individuals in its care from physical harm, mental harm, and in many cases, from death." These are not just words; they are an indictment of a system that has been left unchecked for far too long. Too many of us have experienced firsthand the neglect and abuse that permeate institutions meant to uphold justice.

The key takeaways from the recent press conference led by U.S. Attorney Buchanan and his team are both alarming and unacceptable. Buchanan highlighted the systemic failures at the Fulton County Jail, including the lack of access to mental health care, the use of restrictive housing for suicidal detainees, and the frequent failure to provide basic medication. He said, "Daily medication is often unavailable and suicidal detainees are often isolated and locked in restrictive housing in lieu of treatment." These words underscore the severe neglect and disregard for the most basic human needs that have led to unnecessary suffering and, in many cases, death.

Even more concerning is the treatment of young detainees. Buchanan shared that seventeen-year-old boys and girls are being held in restrictive housing for up to 22 hours a day, with no access to educational programs or mental health services. He explained that, "The average stay of a 17-year-old in the Fulton County Jail is 392 days. During this time, they are particularly at risk for violence, lack of access to mental health care, and risk of suicide while in isolation." These are our children, our future, being treated with a level of neglect that is nothing short of a human rights violation.

The lack of accountability is evident. Buchanan said it clearly when he remarked, "The systemic neglect and disregard for basic human rights is a failure of leadership." Leadership is about accountability, and it is time for our officials to take responsibility for the systemic issues that have allowed this abuse to thrive.

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." The treatment of individuals at the Fulton County Jail is an injustice that affects all of us. When we allow the dignity of one person to be stripped away, we erode the very foundation of justice that we rely on as a society. Failing to address these systemic issues does not only impact those behind bars—it weakens our entire community. The neglect at Fulton County Jail is a public health crisis, a threat to community safety, and a violation of the basic principles upon which our society is built.

Coretta Scott King once reminded us, "Freedom is never really won; you earn it and win it in every generation." This is our generation's fight—to end the inhumane and unconstitutional treatment of those held in our jails. We must demand action, we must demand change, and we must demand it now. We must demand increased access to mental health care, proper officer training, and the end of restrictive housing for vulnerable detainees. We need educational and rehabilitative programs that give individuals a chance to rebuild their lives.

A Vision for Systemic Change

It is not enough to demand accountability; we must also envision and work toward systemic solutions. The change we need starts with concrete steps that address the root causes of neglect within the Fulton County Jail. We must increase funding for mental health services to ensure that every incarcerated individual receives the care they need. We need better training for staff so that they can respond appropriately to mental health crises and treat those in their care with dignity and respect. Improved oversight mechanisms must be implemented, including independent audits and regular reviews, to ensure that the jail operates transparently and meets basic human rights standards.

Furthermore, we need to end the practice of restrictive housing for vulnerable detainees, especially for young people and those experiencing mental health crises. Instead, we should establish rehabilitation and educational programs that give individuals a chance to rebuild their lives. The focus must shift from punishment to rehabilitation, providing opportunities for growth and reintegration into society. Only through these systemic changes can we begin to dismantle the culture of neglect that has persisted for far too long.

Consider other communities that have successfully reformed their jail systems—like Cook County in Illinois, which has increased funding for mental health services and rehabilitation programs, leading to reduced recidivism and improved outcomes. This shows that change is possible when we commit to systemic reform.

The Community's Role in Creating Change

The community has a crucial role to play in demanding and facilitating change. We cannot wait for others to act; we must take action ourselves. We need to organize protests to raise awareness and show our collective outrage. We must lobby local officials, attend city council meetings, and hold our representatives accountable. We can also support initiatives for incarcerated individuals, such as donating to organizations that provide legal aid or volunteering with groups focused on rehabilitation and support for those re-entering society. Additionally, you can work with local advocacy groups to provide resources such as clothing, transportation, and job training to those who are transitioning back into society. As Malcolm X once said, "You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or who says it." By working together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that the individuals behind these walls are not forgotten.

To my fellow community members, here are some specific actions you can take:

Donate Supplies: Provide essential supplies, such as toiletries, books, or educational materials, to organizations supporting incarcerated individuals and their families.

Attend City Council Meetings: Show up at meetings and demand that elected officials allocate more resources to reforming the jail.

Join or Organize Protests: Participate in protests to raise public awareness about the inhumane conditions in the jail.

Support Local Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with groups that provide legal assistance, rehabilitation, and support for incarcerated individuals and their families.

Contact Elected Officials: Call or write to specific officials, such as the Sheriff of Fulton County and members of the County Board of Commissioners, urging them to prioritize jail reform and mental health services.

Sign Petitions: Support petitions calling for reforms in the jail system and share them within your network to amplify the message.

Use Your Voice: Share stories of those affected by the jail's conditions to amplify the message. Every shared story helps to show that these are not isolated incidents, but part of a systemic failure.

By taking these actions, we can hold our leaders accountable and work towards meaningful change.

Broader Impact on Our Community

The systemic failures at the Fulton County Jail do not just affect those who are incarcerated; they weaken our entire community. When we allow these injustices to persist, we create a public health crisis that threatens everyone. The neglect of mental health services, the mistreatment of vulnerable individuals, and the lack of rehabilitation lead to higher rates of recidivism, increased crime, and a cycle of poverty and instability that affects us all. This issue disproportionately impacts marginalized groups—people of color, low-income families, and women—who are often overrepresented in the jail system. Addressing these injustices is not just a moral obligation—it is in the best interest of our community's safety, economic stability, and well-being. A community that allows systemic abuse to continue is a community that fails its people. We must recognize that justice and dignity for those behind bars strengthen the very fabric of our society.

Let us also remember the power of collective action. Throughout history, community movements have been successful in driving meaningful change—from the Civil Rights Movement to grassroots campaigns for social justice today. When we stand united, our voices amplify, and the impact we create grows. This is why it is so important for every one of us to participate and make our voices heard.

A Clear Call to Action

To the officials responsible for these conditions, we say: Your time of silence is over. You must be held accountable. We demand immediate action. We call on you to allocate increased funding for mental health services, end the use of restrictive housing for vulnerable detainees, and ensure that all staff receive comprehensive training on how to treat those in their care with dignity and respect. We demand transparency—regular independent audits and community oversight must be instituted to guarantee that these changes are being implemented.

To specific officials such as the Sheriff of Fulton County, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, and other key decision-makers: The community demands that you take swift and decisive action. The people you serve are watching, and we will hold you accountable for the choices you make from this moment forward. Failure to act will not be forgotten, and we will continue to apply pressure through protests, petitions, and community action until meaningful changes are implemented. And remember, the community will also pursue avenues for legal action if necessary, to ensure that justice prevails.

To those who may not yet understand the severity of these injustices: Know that the neglect within the Fulton County Jail affects us all. When we permit these abuses to continue, we create a ripple effect that impacts public health, safety, and the economic well-being of our community. Every person, whether directly impacted or not, has a stake in this fight for justice. We need you to stand with us—because an injustice to one is an injustice to all.

To my fellow community members: Our fight does not end with words. We must act. Join us in organizing protests, reaching out to local officials, and supporting organizations that advocate for incarcerated individuals. Attend city council meetings, speak out, and let your voices be heard. Together, we can create a system that values human dignity and treats all individuals with respect. Let us also remember that every small action can lead to significant change, and every voice raised adds strength to our movement.

We will not be silenced, and we will not be ignored. We will keep fighting until every person, regardless of their past or their circumstance, is treated with the dignity they deserve. This is our fight. This is our moment. Let us rise together and ensure that no one else has to endure the inhumane treatment that I, and countless others, have experienced. We are not powerless. We are the community, and we are ready to light the fire for justice and accountability.

- An Activist Mother, a Voice for Change