Fulton County Chairman Rob Pitts said the county has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve a DOJ investigation of the Fulton County jail through a consent decree that was filed in federal court "today." He told reporters the county will work with the DOJ, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and other partners to implement the agreement.

The county emphasized that its response will include both immediate repairs and longer-term facility improvements. "In 2024, the board of commissioners committed to investing up to $300 million in jail facility improvements," Pitts said. He added the county has hired a project manager to begin a facility assessment and pointed to an ongoing $13 million "blitz" repair program and other recent investments.

The blitz repair program at the county jail on Rice Street began in 2023 and, according to Pitts, includes replacing lights, repairing cell doors and locks, applying new coatings to walls and showers, fixing plumbing, painting, and resealing concrete walls. Pitts said that work is on track to be completed within the next 90 days.

Pitts also said commissioners in August approved $3.2 million for additional critical repairs at the Rice Street facility, including upgrades to fire alarms, replacement of kitchen and laundry equipment, and modernization of elevators. He listed ongoing population-reduction initiatives the county is pursuing with justice partners, including an ankle-monitor program, funding for a new diversion center with the City of Atlanta, and accountability courts.

Pitts characterized the DOJ's findings as centering primarily on jail management rather than the physical plant that the county controls. "If you read the Department of Justice study, you'll note one thing that's crystal clear. The majority of their findings relate to the management of the jail and not the physical plant for which Fulton County government is responsible," he said.

Pitts also addressed speculation about a new facility, saying neither the DOJ investigation nor the consent decree calls for a new $2 billion jail.

Jessica Corbett, director of external affairs for Fulton County, told reporters that because the matter is an active legal proceeding county officials are limited in what they can discuss publicly and asked that reporters send questions to her in writing. "This is an ongoing legal matter, so we'll be very limited. If you have questions, send those to me and I will provide answers to everything I can," she said.

County officials said the consent decree was filed in federal court and will proceed through the legal process there; they did not provide a court filing date or a timeline for implementation. The county said it will collaborate with the sheriff and other partners to carry out the terms of the agreement and continue the work to improve jail conditions.

No formal votes or other board actions were announced at the briefing, and the county attorney and county manager were present but did not make public remarks during the session.