Consent decrees in corrections: a case study of the Fulton County jail

• Main Author: Moore, Roy M
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center 1987
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/3599; http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5122&context=dissertations

This degree paper is based on a research paper entitled "Consent Decrees in Corrections" delivered at a conference on "Correctional Health Care" in Orlando, Florida, March 5-8, 1986. The conference was sponsored by the American Correctional Health Services Association. This degree paper and the research paper on which it is based have not been published and I retain full proprietory and copyright to both papers. The intent of this paper is to discuss the provision of constitutionally acceptable services and care in the field of corrections at the Fulton County Jail which led to the filing of a consent decree. Of particular importance are the variables used by the parties who filed the federal suit alledging that facility conditions, inmate overcrowding, health related services, security availability, inmate personal services, and grievance measures did not meet the standards for human habitation in a correctional facility. The major findings of this degree paper are as follows: 1. Overcrowding experienced by the jail prior to the Consent Decree remains one of the major problems still hindering the progress of the Fulton County Jail. 2. Health Related Services have improved dramatically since Fulton County moved to incorporate contract medical services. 3. Inmate personal services have been substantially upgraded. 4. Grievance measures have been instituted to appropriately respond to inmate needs and desires. 5. Security has been improved by the addition of staff. 6. Facility conditions have improved by painting cells and other areas, making repairs to electrical, plumbing and sanitation systems throughout the building. Information concerning Consent Decrees was collected from interviews with Georgia Department of Corrections Officials, publications of the American Correctional Association entitled Corrections Today and Corrections Magazine, the Georgia Code of Law and scholarly works on the subject of corrections. As a direct participant in the case, this writer had personal exposure to many of the occurrences and situations cited.