ATLANTA — A recent state investigation into the Fulton County Jail is now bringing a list of findings and recommendations to help improve conditions and streamline essential processes.
The investigation began following a series of deaths inside the jail -- which Fulton County Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat said is literally falling apart in places.
At a Friday morning press conference, state senators presented their report while also calling out some Fulton County leaders -- saying there is plenty of blame to go around.
One state senator said breakdowns in the system are to blame for the troubled Fulton County Jail while discussing the public safety subcommittee's findings following its investigation into the Rice Street jail.
"So, to sum it up, there's plenty of blame to go around," Sen. Randy Robertson said.
That committee reported that it started meeting last year following a series of deaths inside the jail. The committee met a total of seven times to gather their findings.
During those meetings, the group came up with 17 findings and recommendations. While state senators explain that the Fulton County Jail is facing many of the same issues that other jails in the state of Georgia are up against.
The senators specifically pointed out what they called the primary issue that is plaguing the Fulton County Jail.
"One of the recommendations, which I believe is perhaps the most important, is the relationship, the professionalism and the teamwork between the four areas that will ultimately solve this problem," Sen. John Albers said. "(That) is the county commission, the district attorney, the judges and the sheriff."
Sen. Randy Robertson said, "And what we've discovered in the district attorney's office is dysfunction to where cases are being moved entirely too slow. There are no efforts that we saw being made to expedite beyond the normal process. This must be changed."
The Fulton County sheriff also used "dysfunction" as a descriptor. However, he pointed to a different agency for that fault.
"There is dysfunction between anybody that does business with the board of commissioners -- four people in particular," Sheriff Labat said. "They are very intentional about doing everything they can to limit how we as a sheriff's office interacts."
One of the recommendations said the sheriff and commissioners need to start meeting weekly to improve their relationship.
Senators said the report also calls for the City of Atlanta to turn over the Atlanta Detention Center to the county -- something Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts said he agrees with, adding that he is completely on board with all of the recommendations.
"I want the city to transfer their jail to us," Pitts said. "I want the constitutional offices to follow our purchasing procedures, and I want the judges to give us a full day’s work for the full days pay that they receive."
11Alive reached out to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office for any comment they have on the senate subcommittee's report, but we have yet to hear back.
Re-watch the full press conference to see the state subcommittee's findings: