Fulton Co. Delays Vote to Fix Faulty Jail Locks

11:09 AM, Nov 21, 2012   |    comments
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ATLANTA (AP) - Fulton County commissioners are delaying a vote on whether to spend $5 million to fix hundreds of faulty locks at a county jail, saying sheriff's officials need to do a better job of supervising inmates.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the board voted Monday to postpone the decision until Dec. 5.

Jailers told the newspaper the locks are so shoddy that inmates can open cell doors, leading to attacks on staff and inmates.

The locks are so old they have been discontinued and replacement parts are no longer available.

A lawsuit over the jail's deteriorating conditions forced county officials to operate the jail under federal oversight. A consent order requires the jail's locks to be in working condition.

Commissioners voted to discuss the issue at a meeting on Dec. 5.

 

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