Commissioners approve $1.36B in funding to renovate troubled Fulton County Jail

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution Wednesday to fund renovations at the troubled Fulton County Jail.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction, and it was unanimous vote by the Board of Commissioners,” said Fulton County board of commissioners chairman, Robb Pitts.

In a unanimous vote, commissioners approved the resolution, which states that funding for renovations cannot exceed $1.36 billion.

“That money will be used to renovate Rice Street and to build a separate on the same footprint, though, free standing medical facility,” Commissioner Pitts added.

Even though he voted to approve the resolution, Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. said he was against renovating the Rice Street facility but for a special use facility getting “underway immediately.”

RELATED: Commissioners approve $1.1B renovation plan for Fulton County Jail

In 2025, commissioners approved a $1.1 billion plan to renovate the jail. Along with significant renovations to the jail, the proposed plan included a newly built special-purpose facility for medical care and to support housing needs.

Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat has opposed renovations, instead pushing for a new facility.

In 2024, commissioners scrapped plans for a new facility, which would cost $1.7 billion. Instead, the board approved $300 million to rehabilitate the current jail.

The Fulton County Jail has long been plagued by issues and controversy.

The Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation in 2023, citing jail conditions, violence, filthy living conditions and the in-custody death of a man whose body was found covered in insects.

Numerous inmate deaths have been reported at the jail over the past few years.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.