May 22, 2020

ACS Athens: COVID-19 and the Athens-Clarke County Jail


In light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Athens-Clarke County Commissioners Mariah Parker and Tim Denson co-authored a resolution "in support of sheltering-in-place, social distancing and medical care access for incarcerated individuals currently held in the Athens-Clarke County Jail.” A link to the resolution can be found here. In this online panel discussion, hosted by the ACS Athens Lawyer Chapter, Commissioner Denson addressed conditions at the jail, the dangers they pose to those incarcerated and the community, and how he and Commissioner Parker want all participants in the criminal legal system in Athens to respond to this threat. Ms. Roberts offered a statewide perspective on these issues and the challenges the crisis presents to efforts to reform the criminal legal system. Judge Hope addressed how he and his court have responded to the crisis. Former State Representative Deborah Gonzalez moderated.
Featuring:
Hon. Tim Denson, Commissioner, Athens-Clarke County Hon.
Ryan Hope, Judge, Athens-Clarke County Municipal Court
Tiffany Williams Roberts, Community Engagement & Movement Building Counsel, Southern Center for Human Rights
Moderated by: Deborah Gonzalez, Former State Representative