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Fulton County leaders cite overcrowding, underused diversion center while planning jail maintenance and staffing changes
Summary
County officials reported a jail population above 3,000 and discussed underuse of a new diversion center, ongoing maintenance backlogs at the Fulton County Jail and a near-complete "blitz" of housing units as officials weigh staffing and budget decisions.
Fulton County commissioners were told Wednesday that the county jail population has climbed above 3,000 and that the diversion center intended to reduce bookings is serving far fewer people than projected.
County Manager (title not specified) and Steve Nirocki, director of strategy, told the Board that a one‑day snapshot on Oct. 6 showed 3,032 inmates and that the average length of stay had increased to about 202 days. Nirocki said the unindicted population improved to about 18 percent, but added, "we remain concerned about the jail population. It is above 3,000 now."
The report also showed usage figures for the new diversion center, operated by Grady: 104 diversions in September, with Atlanta accounting for 73 (about 70 percent) of those referrals. Nirocki said the center's average daily census has fluctuated month to month and is currently low — an average daily census of three in September — which the county manager and commissioners called well below expectations for the facility.
Commissioners pressed staff for context. Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. asked…
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