Fulton County Jail is facing more scrutiny following the death of yet another person while in custody, which has now made it the fourth person in the last month to have passed away under their watch. Samuel Lawrence is now the latest person to have died, just days after he had pleaded for help due to the alleged inhumane conditions in his cell, which according to FOX 5 Atlanta, included no water, no working toilet, a decrease in food and having to sleep on hard metal floor.
Lawrence, who’d been incarcerated since December on a second-degree arson charge, wrote a prisoner civil rights complaint to the court where he went on to claim how he had not only endured beatings from inmates but also from officers. “He’s talking about how one time he was in handcuffs, and he was being stomped and kicked in the head,” his auntie Sheba Terrell, said, per FOX 5 Atlanta.
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The family says that Lawrence suffered from bipolar disorder and a big question that’s come into play since the recent deaths at Fulton County Jail is whether those who are suffering from mental illnesses are being treated differently. An investigation into the man’s death remains ongoing, with the family reportedly opting to have an independent autopsy performed on their loved one.Â
The Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia has been facing significant backlash due to a series of deaths among its inmates. Overcrowding and poor conditions have plagued the facility for years, leading to a concerning number of fatalities. According to recent reports, between 2009 and October 2022, more than 60 inmates have died while in custody at the Fulton County Jail. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for improvements within the facility to ensure the safety and well-being of its inmates.
The issue of inmate deaths at the Fulton County Jail has attracted national attention, prompting an investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ’s investigation was initiated following the deaths of multiple inmates and has shed light on the dire conditions within the facility. Last year alone, 15 inmates died inside the jail, and this year’s death toll is already on the rise. Such a high number of fatalities within a relatively short period is deeply concerning and warrants immediate action to address the underlying problems.
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Critics argue that the Fulton County Jail exemplifies a two-tiered system of justice, where white-collar defendants like former President Donald Trump are likely to spend only a few hours in the facility, while others spend weeks or even months awaiting trial. This disparity in treatment further exacerbates the existing issues within the jail, as resources and attention may be disproportionately allocated. It is crucial to ensure that all inmates are treated fairly and provided with adequate care and protection, regardless of their social status or alleged crimes.