The Shelby County Jail, located at 201 Poplar, is under scrutiny following a recent assessment that identified significant structural and operational issues. A May report obtained by WREG highlights problems such as broken toilets, moldy ceiling tiles, and corroded water pipes, underscoring the urgent need for reform. Submitted to the Shelby County Commission, the report could prompt long-overdue upgrades to the facility, which has already received some emergency funding.
During a commission meeting, Jim Hart of the County Technical Assistance Service presented findings that included everything from a “piecemealed” clinic space to out-of-service escalators interrupting medical emergency responses, as noted by Action News 5. These issues have been plaguing the jail, which, despite a previously approved $10 million funding allocation by the commission for emergency repairs, remains in dire need of further financial support.
Adding to the facility's litany of issues, the assessment detailed by Local Memphis cited overcrowding as a persistent problem. The 177-page report includes an executive summary that highlights the need for more maintenance workers and identifies out-of-service beds due to maintenance or behavioral issues as a bottleneck to effectively managing jail capacity.
Of the potential solutions, another entails the construction on a site at Firestone Avenue and Morehead Street that might result in the closure of the old Jail East building, as per Local Memphis. Bonner expressed optimism about the progress, saying, "We know the journey to a new jail facility is far from over, but today's presentation is a major accomplishment and a sign that we're heading in the right direction."
