The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Groups plan town hall on Cobb jail conditions
Activists and some families who say inmates’ health and safety may be at risk want to discuss concerns.
Three organizations will host a town hall meeting Monday to discuss what they describe as “inhumane” conditions at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.
The town hall meeting hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, Cobb County Southern Christian Leadership Conference and La Gente de Cobb will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Life Church at 1839 Powder Springs Road in Marietta.
The purpose of the town hall is to “listen to the concerns” of families, friends and commu
nity members for people incarcerated at the jail during a lockdown that began in September, according to an ACLU media advisory. “Everyone in this commu
nity should be alarmed over the deaths of Georgians while in custody in the Cobb County jail,” said Andrea Young, exec
utive director of the ACLU of Georgia. “The county’s current response is inhumane and unacceptable.”
Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren and his department have come under fire after seven inmates died while in custody during the past 12 months. Activists and families of some inmates say jail conditions could threaten the health and safety of inmates and a long-term lockdown of the jail made communication with inmates difficult.
Glenn Daniel, a spokesman with the Cobb County Sheriff ’s Office, which runs the jail, said in a statement that the sheriff “believes in the rights of individuals to gather and productively discuss issues of their choice.”
“Freedom of assembly is a bedrock principle of this nation,” he added.
Dan iel confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the facility was placed on lockdown from Sept. 27 to Oct. 25 “to discourage dangerous and disruptive behaviors among inmates and to ensure the safety of our staff and inmates.” Daniel said inmates were allowed contact with family members during the lockdown. Inmates were sequestered in their cells for nearly 24 hours a day, with only 15 minutes to shower, he said.
The ACLU says allegations such as the Sheriff ’s Office deny
ing visitation with family members, access to mail and personal phone calls, if true, could violate the U.S. Constitution. The ACLU has filed an open records request with the Sheriff ’s Office for information related to its policies and procedures. It is seeking records on jail staffing, inmate numbers, use of force records and the number of complaints filed by inmates alleging abuse or misconduct.