Fulton County commissioners have turned down a proposal to replace all the locks at the jail. The controversial vote on Wednesday was split right down the middle.
Col. Mark Adger, the chief jailer at Fulton County Jail, told Fulton county commissioners that inmates compromised the locks at least 40 times last year. The locks can reportedly be defeated with socks or string.
"We've had five that were violent in nature where either a staff member was attacked or another inmate was attacked," said Adger.
To combat those numbers and ensure staff safety, jail officials have increased security rounds in the 24-year-old facility and recommended replacing more than 1,300 locks for a hefty price tag of $5 million dollars.
However, several commissioners raised concerns about the cost and the monitoring of inmates.
"The folks around here pull my coat everyday…saying the goal was worthwhile. However, the dollars are not there," Fulton County Commissioner Emma Darnell said.
"Mr. Adger you tell me you got a lot of process in place that help you control inmate activity. That was my biggest issues, but I haven't seen anything," said Commissioner Bill Edwards.
The final vote was 3-3. With Commissioner Tom Lowe absent at the time, the measure did not pass, infuriating Chairman John Eaves.
"It's political dragging feet, playing around, gamesmanship that's going on. It's silly," said Eaves.
Fulton County Sheriff Ted Jackson said in a statement that he is confident there will be a resolution as he continues to work with the Fulton County Commission.
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Locks at the Fulton County Jail can reportedly be defeated with socks or string.
