Memphis, TN – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday released a sharply worded statement blaming county leadership for ongoing safety and infrastructure failures at the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar, citing overcrowding, understaffing, and deteriorating conditions that officials say threaten both inmates and staff.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the jail is owned and funded by Shelby County—not the Sheriff’s Office—yet deputies and staff continue operating inside what officials described as a “crumbling” facility. The statement said emergency repairs are underway, but major structural issues, including broken doors, failing locks, and nonfunctional escalators, remain unresolved.
An independent study conducted by the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), commissioned by the Sheriff’s Office, found severe overcrowding, chronic understaffing, and worsening infrastructure. The study recommended adding 1,000 beds over the next 20 years and exploring new jail facilities beyond the aging 201 Poplar site.
The release also addressed inmate deaths in 2025. According to the Sheriff’s Office, most deaths were linked to medical conditions, with only one death caused by violence involving another inmate. The jail’s medical provider, Wellpath, was selected by Memphis Mayor Lee Harris as the lowest bidder, despite recommendations from the bid review board, the statement said.
The Sheriff’s Office further alleged that Mayor Harris removed medical oversight from the Shelby County Health Department and placed it under the County Corrections Center, which officials say lacks physician-led oversight.
Funding disputes were also highlighted. The Sheriff’s Office claims the county withheld approximately $67 million by failing to approve personnel and operating budget requests, forcing the agency to rely heavily on overtime amid staffing shortages. Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. previously filed a lawsuit seeking relief.
“Our deputies and staff are doing everything possible to protect lives inside a building we do not own,” Bonner said, calling on county leaders to take responsibility for funding and oversight.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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