Fulton County Board of Commissioners Takes Action to Improve Jail Conditions with $1.3 Billion Investment
April 15, 2026
During their meeting on Wednesday April 15, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners took action to improve conditions at the Fulton County Jail, including approval of financing for a new special purpose facility and future renovations of the Rice Street Jail.
The Board voted unanimously to approve inducement resolution for bonds not to exceed $1.3 billion to support the Jail Capital Improvement Program.
“The approved plan balances the need to offer safe, humane and dignified conditions for detainees with fiscal responsibility for all taxpayers,” said Chairman Robb Pitts. “This is the right thing to do and a historic step forward for the Fulton County Jail.”
Design work will begin this year on the new special purpose facility, which has been programmed in coordination with the Fulton County Sheriff’s office.
The individuals housed at the special purpose facility may include detainees with mental and physical health needs, female detainees, and other special populations. Plans for the special purpose facility include an infirmary and key Jail support services, including Food Service, Laundry, Intake, Visitation, and other key programs. Co-location of these services will improve overall efficiency of Jail operations.
Phase II of the Jail Capital Improvement plan will include approximately $444 million in renovations to housing spaces within the existing Rice Street Jail. Additionally, the Central Plant will be expanded to serve the Rice Street Jail with an expected cost of $45 million.
Construction of the special purpose facility is expected to begin in early 2028, with a projected opening date in 2031. Renovation to the Rice Street Jail is expected to be completed in 2035.
In preparation for construction of the special purpose facility, several older facilities adjacent to the Jail will be demolished, including the Bellwood facility, Jefferson Place, the Warden’s House, and the current Accountability Court. That work is expected to begin this year.
Fulton County remains committed to long-term strategies and funding of programs to help individuals receive mental health and substance use treatment in the community, and to divert eligible individuals into other programs.
These include community-based mental health and substance misuse services, with a 2026 budget of more than $23 million. In 2024, the first Fulton County Behavioral Health Crisis Center opened in collaboration with the state of Georgia; a second Behavioral Health Crisis Center is now in the planning stages.
Fulton County also continues to fund evidence-based diversion programs – including the Center for Diversion and Services, county-subsidized ankle monitors, pre-trial diversion services, and accountability courts.
Fulton County and its justice partners are engaged in ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Justice System as a whole.
The Board voted unanimously to approve inducement resolution for bonds not to exceed $1.3 billion to support the Jail Capital Improvement Program.
“The approved plan balances the need to offer safe, humane and dignified conditions for detainees with fiscal responsibility for all taxpayers,” said Chairman Robb Pitts. “This is the right thing to do and a historic step forward for the Fulton County Jail.”
Design work will begin this year on the new special purpose facility, which has been programmed in coordination with the Fulton County Sheriff’s office.
The individuals housed at the special purpose facility may include detainees with mental and physical health needs, female detainees, and other special populations. Plans for the special purpose facility include an infirmary and key Jail support services, including Food Service, Laundry, Intake, Visitation, and other key programs. Co-location of these services will improve overall efficiency of Jail operations.
Phase II of the Jail Capital Improvement plan will include approximately $444 million in renovations to housing spaces within the existing Rice Street Jail. Additionally, the Central Plant will be expanded to serve the Rice Street Jail with an expected cost of $45 million.
Construction of the special purpose facility is expected to begin in early 2028, with a projected opening date in 2031. Renovation to the Rice Street Jail is expected to be completed in 2035.
In preparation for construction of the special purpose facility, several older facilities adjacent to the Jail will be demolished, including the Bellwood facility, Jefferson Place, the Warden’s House, and the current Accountability Court. That work is expected to begin this year.
Fulton County remains committed to long-term strategies and funding of programs to help individuals receive mental health and substance use treatment in the community, and to divert eligible individuals into other programs.
These include community-based mental health and substance misuse services, with a 2026 budget of more than $23 million. In 2024, the first Fulton County Behavioral Health Crisis Center opened in collaboration with the state of Georgia; a second Behavioral Health Crisis Center is now in the planning stages.
Fulton County also continues to fund evidence-based diversion programs – including the Center for Diversion and Services, county-subsidized ankle monitors, pre-trial diversion services, and accountability courts.
Fulton County and its justice partners are engaged in ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Justice System as a whole.