Shelby County Jail, also known as 201 Poplar, was featured in a Facebook Live video showing conditions inside its medical pod. The video was recorded by Derrick McDonald, a paralyzed Memphis man who spent nearly a week in custody. According to WREG, McDonald, who was booked on old driving warrants, reported the presence of “roaches, bugs, gnats, fruit flies, like black mold everywhere, water everywhere.”
McDonald stated that he was denied basic hygiene care and told Action News 5 that his requests to be changed out of soiled clothing were ignored. During the live video, he said, "N**** been down here two days and ain’t got changed, no nothing..." A friend of McDonald, Xochitl Samuels, who is also paralyzed, told Action News 5 that she was shocked after seeing the video, saying, "This was horrible to not have someone attend to you."
The video has led the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to open an investigation into both the conditions described and how McDonald had access to a phone while in custody. FOX13 Memphis reported that McDonald expressed concern for his health during his detention.
The incident occurred amid heightened attention on 201 Poplar, following the deaths of four inmates in custody within a month, as reported by FOX13 Memphis. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office stated that inmate care is managed by a medical company contracted by the Mayor’s Office, and both entities are working to investigate the complaints. McDonald, who has since been released and had his charges dismissed, said he plans to advocate for changes at the facility and noted that actions were taken only after his video brought public attention to the situation.
