North Fulton Today

An incident at Atlanta's Fulton County Jail, involving an inmate setting fire to a cell, has prompted the response of the Atlanta Fire Department and necessitated the relocation of 15 prisoners. This event follows increased scrutiny of Sheriff Pat Labat, amid allegations of campaign disclosure failure and concerns about the jail's conditions.

Atlanta First News reports that the fire was promptly extinguished by prison staff, with no injuries reported. The cause of the fire, started by inmate Juan Edwards, remains unknown. Edwards was initially booked on August 27, 2023, and now faces additional charges of first-degree arson and interference with government property. His previous charges include aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, robbery, terroristic threats and acts, and violation of probation according to jail records. The jail staff collaborated with the Atlanta Fire & Rescue Department to ensure complete extinguishment of the fire.

Labat said in a statement to Atlanta First News: "I am proud of the women and men of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office for their dedication and ability to maintain order under challenging circumstances. The safety and security of the detainees in our care and custody is a top priority." In July 2023, a federal investigation into living conditions at Fulton County Jail was initiated by the Department of Justice. The probe focused on healthcare accessibility, use-of-force protocols, structural safety issues following a series of deaths and violent incidents at the facility where former President Donald Trump surrendered in August 2023.

According to an unidentified post last month, State Senator Josh McLaurin (D) called for Labat's resignation due to ongoing crises at Fulton County Jail. McLaurin stated: "Sheriff Labat has been questioned before for campaign disclosure failures, and now he has failed to be forthright with the Fulton Commission about vendor contracts. Meanwhile, the jail remains in crisis. The Commission needs a better partner. I call on Sheriff Labat to resign."