An inmate at Fulton County Jail, Richard Parham, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for stabbing Deputy Clarence Houston multiple times during the intake process on September 5, 2022. Parham had been arrested by Atlanta police the night before on charges of making terroristic threats, as per FOX 5 Atlanta.
The attack took place as Parham was being processed into the jail, according to a WSB-TV report.
Parham's conviction comes amid ongoing safety concerns at the Fulton County Jail. A 2023 Department of Justice report highlighted 313 stabbings and over 1,000 assaults at the facility.
An independent monitor has been appointed to oversee the implementation of court-ordered reforms, which include increased supervision, better staffing, and enhanced mental health care. Parham faces additional charges, including several counts of terroristic threats and being combative with a police office.
