Gwinnett County Jail officials have made the decision to pull hot water machines from the facility. Citing multiple incidents of scalding attacks among the incarcerated population, the machines have been deemed a security risk.
Reports from FOX 5 Atlanta disclose that the decision came after at least six serious injuries occurred this year in the jail due to scalding water assaults; this includes both inmates and staff, the Sheriff's Office tried to mitigate the risks by lowering the temperature yet they ultimately removed the machines when lowering the temperature did not suffice. "Unfortunately, there have been over four instances in 2024 alone where inmates were assaulted with this scalding water, along with two incidents involving staff members," Col. Benjamin Hayes explained, highlighting the severity and recurrence of these dangerous encounters, which have led to additional charges against the attackers.
According to a statement retrieved from WSB-TV, the jail maintains a consistent temperature of 72 degrees year-round, an effort to curb the spread of illness—a concern that balances against the recent removal of hot water access. The statement from the Sheriff’s Office asserts, "These hot water units are an amenity we had provided for years but, unfortunately, we had to take these drastic steps to prioritize safety and security."
While the decision has provoked some public concern, the Sheriff's Office maintains that it is in the best interest of all individuals within the jail, though officials recognize the inconvenience caused, the inmates retain access to hot and cold water for their personal hygiene despite the lack of machines now for making hot beverages or meals Col. Hayes mentioned that measures for safety and security have to take precedence over conveniences, stressing the importance of maintaining the overall welfare of the jail's population.
