Warnock, Ossoff urge DOJ to investigate Bibb County Jail over violence, unsafe conditions
Georgia senators cite stabbings, suicides, and unsanitary conditions in letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are urging the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a federal investigation into the conditions at the Bibb County Jail in Macon, citing reports of violence, unsafe conditions and potential civil rights violations.
In a letter sent Thursday to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the senators outlined a series of incidents at the jail, including the stabbing death of 22-year-old Breele Jahiem Johnson on June 4. Multiple other inmates were injured in that same incident.
“The reports emerging from Bibb County Jail are disturbing,” the senators wrote. “Unfortunately, violence at this facility is not rare. In April, an inmate had boiling water thrown on his face, causing severe burns. In May 2024, an inmate died after being tasered by officers. Just last week, another inmate was stabbed and had to be taken to a local hospital. Since 2020, four individuals have died by suicide.”
Warnock and Ossoff pointed to additional concerns about living conditions inside the facility. The letter cites broken plumbing, poor lighting, unsanitary environments and the presence of rodents and waste in hallways.
“Given the extremity of the reported health, safety, and civil rights concerns that persist in the jail, we urge the DOJ to conduct a full and thorough investigation into conditions at this jail and whether the rights of any individuals who work at or are incarcerated at these facilities may have been violated,” the senators wrote.
According to the letter, the senators said they are encouraged by recent local efforts to improve conditions but said federal action is warranted based on the severity of the issues.
In 2024, Warnock led a successful push for the DOJ to investigate Fulton County Jail, which resulted in a federal consent decree earlier this year.
Read the senators’ full letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi below:
Dear Attorney General Bondi:
We are writing you today to request that the Department of Justice (DOJ) open an investigation into conditions at the Bibb County Jail in Macon, Georgia.
Throughout our time in office, we have conducted oversight and taken action to expose and address civil and human rights abuses in prisons and jails, including in federal, state, and local institutions across Georgia. The reports emerging from Bibb County Jail are disturbing. On June 4, 2025, Breele Jahiem Johnson, 22, was stabbed to death.1 Multiple other inmates were injured in the same incident. Unfortunately, violence at this facility is not rare. In April, an inmate had boiling water thrown on his face, causing severe burns. In May 2024, an inmate died after being tasered by officers. Just last week, another inmate was stabbed and had to be taken to a local hospital. Since 2020, four individuals have died by suicide.6 The pattern of violence at this facility is troubling.
Living conditions at the Bibb County jail are also unacceptable. After touring the jail, the president of the Georgia NAACP stated that the “cracked walls, broken plumbing, poor lighting and unsanitary conditions create an environment no human should be subjected to.” According to others, rodents and waste are regularly seen in the hallways.
We have been encouraged by local officials’ recent efforts to address Bibb County Jail conditions. However, given the extremity of the reported health, safety, and civil rights concerns that persist in the jail, we urge the DOJ to conduct a full and thorough investigation into conditions at this jail and whether the rights of any individuals who work at or are incarcerated at these facilities may have been violated. Our offices are ready to assist your work in any capacity.
