Shelby County is opening up a dialogue on juvenile justice reform with the announcement of a Countywide Juvenile Justice Consortium organized by Commissioner Henri E. Brooks. This event is slated for Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will take place at Hollywood Community Center. An expert panel, featuring key local officials, will address concerns about the recent changes at the Shelby County Juvenile Court Detention Center. The forum is free and welcomes all residents, especially parents and guardians of detained youth, to participate in the discussion.
According to an announcement by Shelby County, key questions are expected to focus on the facility’s new leadership and the reasons for the transition. With youth incarceration a pressing issue in the community, families affected by the system are calling for greater transparency. The upcoming meeting is intended to shed light on what lies ahead for detainees and their families.
Commissioner Brooks emphasized the importance of this event, saying, "This is an opportunity for families to hear directly from the decision-makers and better understand how these changes will affect our children and our community." The panel, which includes Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon, and Director of Corrections Anthony Alexander, will gather to offer their insights and field questions from residents, as reported by Shelby County.
Active participation in the juvenile justice process is an important step for those impacted and for concerned residents of Shelby County. Individuals looking for more information ahead of the consortium can contact Commissioner Brooks at (901) 857-6443.
