For Immediate Release: October 17, 2023
Contact: media@colorofchange.org 

In Atlanta, Color Of Change Applauds Jail Population Reduction, and Demands Further Action

Today, The Fulton County Board of Commissioners released the Fulton County Operational Report, which revealed a jail population reduction of 263 people, a 7% margin of reduction between September and October. In response to this new data, Color Of Change released the following statement from Rashad Robinson, President of Color Of Change:

“The recently recorded reduction of over 250 incarcerated individuals from the Fulton County Jail is an important step forward for dignity and humanity. We know that decarceration saves lives, and produces benefits to fiscal spending and public safety. America’s justice systems have always kept Black and poor people locked up, while the rich, the white, and the wealthy walk free. In Fulton County, thousands of unindicted incarcerated people watched as Trump and his allies were afforded an expedited booking that allowed them to spend a matter of hours in the County Jail — while others continue to endure deadly stays in the facility for months — and even years.”

“The reduction shows that decarceration is possible in Atlanta. Looking forward, we need to take more of these actions — including reducing the use of cash bail and clearing the county’s backlog of cases to keep the population in jails down — not constructing a $2 billion jail or transferring individuals to facilities out of state. Color Of Change will continue to demand more comprehensive reform-minded policies from local prosecutors and officials in Fulton County, and across the country.”

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