05 LC 22
5750
House
Resolution 161
By:
Representatives Morgan of the
39th,
Brooks of the
63rd,
Talton of the
145th,
Teilhet of the
40th,
Barnard of the
166th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
independent investigations for deaths of persons confined in jails or
correctional institutions; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
some persons who are confined in jails have not been convicted of any crime;
and
WHEREAS,
persons confined in jails or correctional institutions after conviction and
sentencing retain certain legal rights; and
WHEREAS,
the death of a person confined in a jail or correctional institution causes
grief for family members and friends; and
WHEREAS,
family members and friends of a person who has died while confined to a jail or
correctional institution are often frustrated in their attempts to find out what
happened to cause the death; and
WHEREAS,
in some cases, family members and friends of persons who have died while
confined to a jail or correctional institution have suspected that misconduct
has been concealed by investigators who are employed by the jail, by the
correctional institution, or by the same political subdivision responsible for
the jail or correctional institution; and
WHEREAS,
the best practice in cases of alleged conflict of interest is to avoid all
appearance of impropriety.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body urge the elected officials, appointed officials, wardens, and other
individuals in charge of jails and state and county correctional institutions to
seek independent investigation routinely for the death of any person confined to
jail or a correctional institution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the Board of Corrections, the Georgia Sheriffs Association and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the Board of Corrections, the Georgia Sheriffs Association and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.