Atlanta City Council debates $68 million jail sale to Fulton County

Atlanta City Council members are debating a proposal to sell the Atlanta City Detention Center to Fulton County for $68 million. The resolution, which recently advanced from the public safety committee to the finance committee, would involve the city leasing back portions of the facility and paying Fulton County for housing, food, and medical care for detainees.

Council member Michael Julian Bond has urged his colleagues to reject the sale, arguing that it would deprive future city leaders of leverage. Bond suggested that instead of a sale, Atlanta should form a joint authority with the county to address jail overcrowding. Other council members, including Antonio Lewis, noted that several justice system officials, including District Attorney Fani Willis, have expressed opposition to the deal.

The proposal comes as Fulton County seeks to expand its capacity due to overcrowding and operates under a federal consent decree following investigations into unsafe conditions and constitutional violations at the Rice Street jail.