Senators call for DOJ Investigation of Bibb County Jail
Senators Warnock and Ossoff say they support local reforms efforts, but believe federal intervention is necessary.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Local leaders and families impacted by incidents inside the Bibb County Jail, are reacting to the news that Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are urging the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into the jail.
Paula Platt, the mother of Stephen Fossett, who died in custody last year after being tased during a medical emergency according to an incident report, expressed her joy over the renewed push.
“I am elated I’m so thankful that someone else is looking into what happened in the Bibb County jail because there have been so much, so many atrocities,” she said.
Platt hopes the potential investigation will spark changes within the jail to correct systemic injustices.
“I’m hoping that charges can be brought, that changes can be made,” said Platt. “That there can be additional justice reforms implemented, and that the community will continue to fight for their loved ones that are incarcerated.”
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Senators highlighted concerns about the jail citing violence, unsanitary conditions and potential civil rights violations.
Gwenette Westbrooks, President of the NAACP Macon branch, reported that during a recent visit to the jail, conditions remain the same. She reported ongoing issues such as staff shortages, broken sinks, and toilets, and overall unsafe living conditions.
“It should not be a death sentence, and they should not be living in inhumane conditions,” she said.
Westbrooks is confident their finds will reveal inhumane conditions within the jail similar to those identified by the NAACP and the Grand jury report.
In response to the Senators’ call for an investigation, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis said issued a statement saying quote, “I am aware that Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate conditions at the Bibb County jail. Members of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and I look forward to working with the Department of Justice on this investigation if and when the Attorney General grants this request.”
Senators Warnock and Ossoff say they support local reforms efforts, but believe federal intervention is necessary.
