FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2024
Contact: media@colorofchange.org
ADVOCATES CELEBRATE AS FULTON COUNTY SCRAPS PLAN FOR $2BILLION JAIL
National – At a meeting yesterday, the Fulton County city government confirmed they are scrapping plans for a new $2B jail, instead opting for a $300M renovation plan. County commissioners voted with a 4-3 vote to repurpose funding for the new jail and use it for renovation of the current facility, officially halting construction plans for the $2B jail.
The original plan, for the 2 billion jail, would have been the most expensive incarceration facility the country had ever seen. Since the announcement, the proposal was met with widespread, visceral opposition from Fulton County residents and national criminal justice advocates.
Just last month, the Community Over Cages coalition launched a campaign against the jail, complete with a report debunking the case for a $2B facility.
“We’re elated to hear the news that the $2B jail will be scrapped. This was a long fight with local advocates demanding their voices to be heard.” said Michael Collins, Senior Policy Director at Color of Change “ For far too long, those in power have disregarded the will of the people. Today, that has been rectified. There is still a long road ahead for justice reform, the need to prioritize investment into alternative measures to ensure the safety of Black communities remains crucial.”
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