Attorneys representing several people injured or killed at the Fulton County Jail have filed a class-action lawsuit against the jail, its chief jailer and Sheriff Pat Labat.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“The time for talking is over,” said attorney Michael Harper. “We want a federal judge to declare that the Fulton County Jail is treating its inmates in an unconstitutional manner. The declarative provision is intended to improve the condition of the prison.”
The class action’s lead plaintiffs include Shannon Jackson, who was stabbed in prison during the YSL trial, and another inmate who suffered severe scarring from a bedbug infection.
The injuries were so graphic that the images had to be blurred for television.
Harper said he also filed a separate lawsuit for Dayvion Blake’s estate.
Last year, an inmate murdered Blake in prison.
“They were able to get into his prison because the locks weren’t working and stab him in the back,” Harper said.
RELATED STORIES:
Last month Channel 2 Action News told you about a DOJ investigation that found the prison violated the constitutional rights of its inmates.
Thursday Channel 2’s Audrey Washington contacted the sheriff’s office for comment on the class action lawsuit.
They said they could not comment because the office had not yet reviewed the lawsuit.
Last month Labat discussed problems in prison.
“These are opportunities that can be solved and that’s what our plan is as we move forward,” Labat said.
“We need change in Fulton County,” Harper said.
Lawyers are now waiting for a federal judge’s certification before others can join the class action lawsuit.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
