Shelby County officials are set to make a significant change in their approach to inmate isolation. Mayor Lee Harris is expected to sign an executive order on Wednesday that will effectively put an end to solitary confinement at the Division of Corrections and bring the institution in line with the United Nations Mandela Rules on prisoner treatment. According to a statement obtained by Shelby County Government, this makes Shelby County the first in the South to adopt these standards, a set of guidelines that, among other things, restricts the use of solitary confinement to no more than 15 consecutive days.
The decision comes as part of a push to align the corrections system with evidence that shows solitary confinement can be severely damaging both mentally and physically. Moreover, it often increases the risk of suicide among prisoners. The move to adapt to these international standards began back in 2023, when the jail began attempting to slowly but surely reduce the arbitrariness of offenses that land inmates in solitary. By introducing a point system for infractions and ramping up incentives and programming, the administration has aimed to foster a more rehabilitative climate among its incarcerated population. In addition, as mentioned in the Shelby County Government statement, the forthcoming executive order will also be followed by an ordinance aimed at legally embedding this new standard.
In remarks prepared for the signing, Mayor Harris emphasized the broader implications of such a reform, stating, "This executive order signing serves as an important reminder this Juneteenth week that freedom is not just symbolic." He suggested that ending solitary confinement is a critical step not only for reforming the prison system but also for preparing inmates for successful reentry into society after their release.
Others working closely with the corrections system have echoed Harris's position. Shelby County Division of Corrections Director Anthony Alexander highlighted the dual benefits of humane treatment after visiting other facilities that have implemented the Mandela Rules, emphasizing that it’s the right thing to do and makes the environment safer for both staff and inmates. Chief of Staff Jerri Green also weighed in, asserting that solitary confinement exacerbates mental health issues and only marginally contributes to public safety. It is reported that 85 percent of those in solitary confinement are there for nonviolent disciplinary reasons. Meanwhile, Reese Walker, Shelby County Division of Corrections Administrator of Programs, praised the county for becoming a beacon of justice reform in the Southern United States. According to a statement shared in the official Shelby County announcement, the team is ready to guide other facilities on implementing these reforms.
Backing up these views, Jessica Van Dyke from the Tennessee Innocence Project maintains the necessity of humane treatment within the justice system. "It is imperative that, as a government and as a society, if we are imprisoning people, we treat them with basic humanity, dignity, and fairness," she told Shelby County Government. The signing, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on June 18, is couched as part of broader celebrations during the week of Juneteenth, adding a symbolic layer to an act that promises to alter the fabric of incarceration and rehabilitation in the Southern United States.
