Friday, December 13, 2002

South Fulton to get Probation Detention Center

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted to donate land to the state of Georgia for construction of a Probation Detention Center at the board's December 4 meeting.

The donated land consists of approximately 25 acres between Stonewall Tell Road and Valley Lake Road in South Fulton County. The Center will be located next to Larmore Probation Detention Center.

The state has agreed to build a facility for 500 Fulton County probation violators at a cost of $10.5 million. The state will also operate the facility.

By housing probation violators, the Center's short-term residential program will reduce the number of inmates at the Fulton County Jail. Education, treatment programs and vocational counseling will be mandatory. Inmates will perform community service for their work assignments.

Community members are in support of the center's location. A Community Relations board made up of local residents will be established to provide input in the design process.