Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat held a press conference Friday where he voiced concerns about a decision by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners to fund improvements for the jail without rebuilding it.

The Board of Commissioners voted 4 to 3 last week to spend $300 million on renovations for the jail instead of building a new $2 billion facility. Overpopulation issues at the facility contributed to 10 inmate deaths last year and plans to outsource inmates outside Atlanta.

Labat said officers are working to keep people safe but there have to be improvements at the jail.

“It doesn't matter if we spend $1 billion,” Labat said “If we don't move toward the future with respect to not just how we treat people, but the increase in technology, a forward-thinking process, people are going to continue to die. But it won't be at the hands of the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, won't be at the hands of any other detainees if we can prevent it."

Labat said the renovations are a step forward, but the timeline is dangerous.

“As you listen to the Board of Commissioners, this is a planned out process that will be will extend to 2026," he said. "We need help immediately. We will still have to outsource detainees to make this particular project as seen by the Board of Commissioners happen."

Since June 1, Labat reports there have been 10 stabbings and 75 shanks — makeshift stabbing weapons — confiscated from people in the jail. The facility is under investigation by the Department of Justice and a state Senate subcommittee.

Tags: Georgia  Jail  Fulton County Jail  Atlanta  Jail deaths