Major changes are coming to the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
The changes come after the family of LaShawn Thompson spoke out following his death at the jail. Thompson was found dead in his cell in September 2022, three months after he was incarcerated for misdemeanor battery.
In announcing plans to sue the county last week, family attorney Michael Harper said that Thompson died from being 'eaten alive' by 'bed bugs and insects'. He was being held in the psychiatric wing.
The office of Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat issues a statement about changes at the jail
In a statement Monday, Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat's office said:
“It’s clear to me that it’s time, past time, to clean house.” At an executive staff meeting held over the weekend Sheriff Labat asked for, received, and accepted the resignations of the Chief Jailer, Assistant Chief Jailer and Assistant Chief Jailer, Criminal Investigative Division.
In addition, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is reviewing all legal options to change medical vendors and enter into a new contract with a provider that can effectively, consistently and compassionately deliver the best standard of care.
The medical examiner ruled Mr. Thompson’s cause and manner of death as ‘undetermined.’ However, as a result of the preliminary investigation several immediate actions have already been taken including:
•approving an additional expenditure of $500,000 to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice and other vermin within the Fulton County Jail which was done in addition to prior cleaning operations targeting communicable diseases that are common in congregant settings
•updating protocols for security rounds
•adding additional staff members to the mental health unit
•transferring more than 600 inmates to other counties in an effort to help relieve overcrowding, at an average cost of approximately $40K/day
Once the internal investigation is complete, Sheriff Labat will make an official request for review by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations to determine whether any criminal charges are warranted in this case.
In response, Attorney Harper tells Audacy Atlanta, "LaShawn Thompson died at the Fulton County Jail on September 12, 2022. Only after the family released those deplorable jail photos and the following international outrage did the sheriff make changes."