Federal Court Appoints Monitor for Fulton County Jail
ATLANTA — On Friday, a federal judge appointed a veteran monitor with thirty years of experience in the corrections field to oversee a consent decree aimed at improving dangerous and unhealthy conditions within Georgia’s most populated county jail.
U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May selected Kathleen Kenney for the role after the U.S. Department of Justice, along with Fulton County officials and Sheriff Pat Labat, recommended her appointment as part of the consent decree proceedings.
The Justice Department initiated a civil rights investigation into the jail conditions in Fulton County in July 2023, highlighting issues such as violence, unsanitary living environments, and the troubling in-custody death of an individual whose body was discovered infested with insects.
The investigation revealed that jail administrators failed to ensure the safety of detainees from violence, implemented excessive force, and maintained “unconstitutional and illegal conditions” within the facilities.
Last month, officials from the Justice Department and Fulton County announced that they had reached a consent decree enforceable by the court.
This agreement includes the appointment of an independent monitor for an initial duration of two years to evaluate the jail’s adherence to the established requirements. The monitor will also produce public reports every six months.
While the decree does not specify a termination timeline, it will conclude once the county demonstrates compliance with its conditions for a year.
Kathleen Kenney has been a member of a three-person expert panel since April 2022, overseeing the use of force in specific facilities within Los Angeles County’s jails as part of a court-ordered settlement.
Prior to that, she served as a consultant with a criminal justice consulting firm and held the role of interim commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Corrections from June 2019 until February 2020.
Kenney’s extensive experience also includes 25 years with the federal Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice, where she spent 13 years as assistant director/general director for the Bureau of Prisons.
Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts expressed that Kenney’s appointment represents “an important step forward” for implementing the consent decree.
He emphasized the committee’s commitment to collaborating with federal authorities and the sheriff’s office to “swiftly improve jail conditions.”
In a statement via email, Pitts stated, “I am pleased to have a Monitor with such impressive credentials, who will bring integrity to the process and will ensure compliance by all parties.”
Similarly, Sheriff Labat expressed satisfaction with Kenney’s appointment, noting that his agency’s legal team has been devising a strategy focused on enhancing jail conditions, recruiting and retaining a qualified workforce, and promoting accountability through advanced training.
“We are confident that we are moving in the right direction,” he stated.
The main jail in Atlanta has experienced persistent issues over the years.
According to the Justice Department’s investigative report, there exists a “crisis of violence” within the facility, characterized by instances of stabbings, sexual assaults, and homicides.
Vulnerable groups, including individuals who identify as gay, transgender, young, or those suffering from serious mental health conditions, face heightened risks from such violence, leading to physical injuries and lasting psychological trauma.
The report also highlighted inadequate training and oversight for jail officers regarding the appropriate use of force, noting a recurrent pattern of excessive force being used against individuals in county custody.
Furthermore, the investigation uncovered severe deficiencies in medical and mental health care provided to detainees, violating their constitutional rights and exposing them to the risk of injury, serious illnesses, mental health deterioration, and even death.
