[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6505849,"mediaKeyId","5489931-80f7d1ce3e1f7a7ec15a74f18e5ed9c0","parentId",5489931,"title","Community groups tell commissioners of alleged medical neglect and abuse at 201 Poplar jail intake","audioSeconds",1354,"startMs",3422000,"endMs",4776000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489931-80f7d1ce3e1f7a7ec15a74f18e5ed9c0&start=3422&end=4776","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489931-80f7d1ce3e1f7a7ec15a74f18e5ed9c0/thumbnail_3422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505849/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Community-groups-tell-commissioners-of-alleged-medical-neglect-and-abuse-at-201-Poplar-jail-intake","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505849-a7d717a7da1f510287824202888f64e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764058&Signature=GYfj-D0vzl7gztsJAeSCrte334~Jh8aADO39KbML56NKWO20~m6gJeJplPV~Tc9NfcqHG3xYws4uDyMJQodpcA3leUCs80Z7HMwVzfFWdvwDHYYO4rk-k5PMo4DLBuX3LiEAiFOoSsEHYGfdZVUO5FsQYD-NUoruILkRsONiSMrQNI5FkaMDyxfE3UvUP7Lm7TTspmBffSEzwM77WrhmJkWBHfdpc9HL8IssjwiFnVLYXpjviGDIGbpo3s5dMo~Od5JOBlQzCTYrOu2MbFUz8HFsqkLd0lLo-Rla5crNttKU4bXXWo~0EVmwS8k7exJntXTIvWbud-CpMzztRgSgLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shelby County, TN","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple speakers during the July 30 public‑comment period told the Shelby County Board of Commissioners they had received repeated accounts of mistreatment, medical neglect and retaliation by staff at the Shelby County jail intake facility at 201 Poplar.

Laramie Wheeler, advocacy coordinator with Just City, read a range of testimonies from people housed at 201 Poplar. “These are not isolated complaints. They are part of a troubling pattern and they raise serious concerns about the treatment of people in custody, particularly by correctional staff,” Wheeler said. Her testimony listed allegations including ignored medical sick calls, incorrect medications, denied hygiene supplies, use of mace on medically fragile detainees and staff retaliation against people who file grievances.

Mitchell Leander, another advocate presenting accounts, referenced the U.S. Supreme Court’s Estelle v. Gamble precedent and said: “Deliberate indifference to the serious medical needs of incarcerated people violates the Eighth Amendment.” He and Wheeler asked the commission to take the reports seriously and to ensure detainees can access legal counsel and grievance processes.

Commissioners asked questions about oversight and legal recourse. Commissioner Britney Thornton emphasized that the sheriff, as the elected official, has operational responsibility for the jail and asked staff to explain how detainees could pursue legal complaints. Commissioner Brandon Ford read a comment card for a constituent requesting interpreters at commission meetings under the Americans with Disabilities Act; Commissioner Erica Sugarman offered to follow up with the constituent on an ordinance to improve access.

Shelby County officials present at the meeting did not dispute there were problems raised in public comments; they noted that grievance and correctional standards are governed by Tennessee statute and the Tennessee Corrections Institute. Commissioners urged advocates to pursue legal remedies and to provide documentation so county staff and the sheriff’s office can investigate. Multiple speakers asked that the county consider the fiscal consequences of litigation if conditions are not corrected.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to follow up on the reports and asked county legal staff to advise on avenues for redress and oversight. Several advocates said they would continue to press for changes in care, grievance access and independent oversight.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Shelby County, TN - --> Commission Meeting for July 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment, Just City and community members described repeated accounts of medical neglect, staff retaliation and unsafe conditions at the Shelby County jail intake facility at 201 Poplar. Commissioners asked for clarification on legal recourse and oversight.","taxTitle","Shelby County, Tennessee","taxId",19114,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505853,"Commission approves $11.2 million to fund juvenile detention transition from sheriff to county corrections",2520,8000000,10520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489931-80f7d1ce3e1f7a7ec15a74f18e5ed9c0&start=8000&end=10520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489931-80f7d1ce3e1f7a7ec15a74f18e5ed9c0/thumbnail_8000000.jpg","/articles/6505853/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Commission-approves-112-million-to-fund-juvenile-detention-transition-from-sheriff-to-county-corrections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505853-554d873133594f311d449e8a1849b422/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764058&Signature=LuhGKwrQYOCEUO2nVOjnBPcvTukLTIgBAKGg5ltLdq8SkqWHPwWL2wRlQ5r5LytSNzBY~OR-VgcnsFP9uA0tfKCgE0XFeD2WB0LgIx5bzBGfEnZEZ9y~RDNvNU~-3Tq58OQbPg020dIcq7YTN9QEeTZKg20YznDXAZ2T~U3Pqy6d9dioErynhzVD7VsYAeTAR-3fvszYCemM5q6nmTfzhSUTehqU6IK6rJy6AJDCbsSMm-B~2RP-TUMpQJmszrDyRteiI3IEHieST64QO4WK-aarh~UWNuvE-Pl3wwmcBoxLrYjUPjpwXdQSaGG01KpHLAX8ctD7n3igjy-IxxqDlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board of Commissioners on July 30 approved a resolution amending the FY 2026 operating budget to allocate $11,226,461 to support transition of the Youth Justice and Education Center (YJEC) from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to the county Division of Corrections.

The measure, intended to cover staff, training and operational costs associated with the transfer, passed after extended committee discussion. The clerk recorded aye votes from Commissioners Charlie Caswell Jr., Erica Sugarman, David C. Bradford Jr., Britney Thornton, Brandon Morrison, Henry Brooks, Vice Chair Avant and Chairman Michael Whaley; Commissioners Amber Mills and Brandon Ford abstained. The tally reported 8 ayes and 2 abstentions.

Juvenile court officials and county administrators said the funding is needed to avoid a management gap on Oct. 1, the date some proponents said state law would require revised custody arrangements if a local management agreement were not in place. Juvenile Court Judge Tarek Sugarman (as identified in the meeting transcript) described prior transfers of responsibility and warned the commission that without the appropriation the county could face an emergency need to hire outside contractors or be forced to absorb responsibilities without adequate staff and resources.

Judge Sugarman told commissioners that responsibilities for juvenile detention had moved during a 2015 transition and that the county had previously provided related staff and operating dollars; he said the current shift requires additional appropriation to the Division of Corrections to recruit, train and staff the facility. He referenced recent state legislation (Senate Bill 718 / House Bill 797 in the transcript) that affects management responsibilities and cited an existing memorandum of understanding between county entities.

Chief Administrative Officer Harold Collins said the county had included funding for the transition in earlier budget drafts but the commission removed the line during final budget actions; the administration said it put the request back because training and staffing deadlines make the October transition date time‑sensitive. Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Alicia Lindsey and Corrections Director Anthony Alexander were present; Lindsey said the sheriff’s office lacks sufficient funding after the budget change to continue full operations at YJEC beyond Sept. 30 while corrections ramps up.

Commissioners pressed finance officials for precise fund‑balance numbers and cautioned about drawing down reserves. Deputy CFO Michael Thompson said the county’s FY24 fund balance was roughly $108 million and that the county’s policy target is 20–30% (preferably 25%), but final year‑end figures were still being closed. Thompson said the county had adopted a FY26 budget without a planned use of fund balance, which rating agencies prefer, but acknowledged the pending appropriation would reduce reserves; finance staff agreed to provide a more detailed fund‑balance impact in advance of the next meeting.

Supporters argued that failing to fund the transition could create a public‑safety and legal risk and that the YJEC needs stable management. Some commissioners urged the county to identify unused appropriations or other revenue to offset the cost. Opponents and those seeking more detail pressed for an accounting of funds transferred in earlier years when juvenile management changed and for clarity about how much of the sheriff’s prior budget remains available.

With approval, county administration will complete hiring and training plans for corrections staff and execute the agreed transition steps; county finance said it would provide updated fund‑balance projections and implementation details at a forthcoming meeting.","Shelby County commissioners approved an $11,226,461 appropriation to fund the transfer of Youth Justice and Education Center operations from the Sheriff’s Office to the county Division of Corrections, amid debate over fund‑balance impact and staffing timelines.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505856,"Shelby County commission delays vote on alignment and term-limit plan for Memphis‑area school board",4450,5785000,10235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489931-80f7d1ce3e1f7a7ec15a74f18e5ed9c0&start=5785&end=10235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489931-80f7d1ce3e1f7a7ec15a74f18e5ed9c0/thumbnail_5785000.jpg","/articles/6505856/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Shelby-County-commission-delays-vote-on-alignment-and-term-limit-plan-for-Memphisarea-school-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505856-c1830c087683ae0de281187ce428f386/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764058&Signature=e2iPXMOHBBNLOGx~u4dDF3jwdj25qUehVfCWy~IJnUB7Fnh2MMoTrfnQI53AyNJkdtKUjofRmkwK3tX3NuhdMlqT5TAQoKsLTSfnLr98MHMVACSqrw04dWxpJsNFmyCMElYR914vRLt5yfv83bb7H783QAgmykMzpFTQL7VTryOsBPLwzce9aNqncanItspy0uFimzF-M9nYjdJutRccqfSpGfsPFnq56FXkjxI0qo4rvGWd9jTs9AOFC3Vu3ZrL992Z6DHADTX3lZRUJicdSt4lF9ytH3y2biUtzLmg~d1lUmChPk32kTZ-RdbkiGH~~WQ6yhA8mZht7ofgwDjSBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted on July 30 to refer to committee a proposal to align the elections, terms and term limits of the Memphis‑area Memphis‑Shelby County School board with the county commission’s election cycle.

Commissioners sent the measure back for more review after extensive public comment and legal questions about whether the change would abridge terms of current school board members. The motion to refer, moved by Commissioner Mikel Lowry and seconded by Vice Chair Avant, passed 10–1. The clerk recorded aye votes from Commissioners Clay Bibbs, Charlie Caswell Jr., Erica Sugarman, David C. Bradford Jr., Amber Mills, Britney Thornton, Brandon Morrison, Henry Brooks, Lowry and Chairman Michael Whaley; Commissioner Ford voted no.

Supporters urged action to boost turnout and accountability. “Fewer and fewer people are voting in school board elections,” said Kamaya Sample, a volunteer who cited low turnout in recent standalone school board elections and urged aligning them with higher‑profile ballots to increase participation. Several parents and community groups said term limits would bring fresh leadership and pressure the board to address performance and equity problems.

Opponents and some legal observers warned that shortening current board members’ terms could be unconstitutional. Commissioner Brooks cited Article 11, Section 9 of the Tennessee Constitution and urged caution, saying the county must avoid passing a local act that would abridge the terms of elected officials without the required approval process. Shelby County Attorney Megan Smith told the commission the state statute cited by sponsors (Tenn. Code Ann. §49‑2‑201) provided authority for alignment but that lingering constitutional questions and implementation details merited further review.

State Representative J.R. Hardaway told the commission he had requested an expedited opinion from the Tennessee attorney general about the law’s application and its constitutionality. Several school board members who testified said the move felt like a political reaction to recent board decisions and urged either removing language that would shorten current terms or submitting the question to voters by referendum.

Commission Chair Michael Whaley and other commissioners said they favored a process that gave the public a final say once legal issues were cleared. Lowry’s referral directs the General Government Committee to reconvene, gather requested legal opinions and return with recommendations, with the body setting an August 6 committee date for further review.

The measure before commissioners would have put all nine Memphis‑Shelby County School seats on the November 2026 ballot and created term limits; sponsors said it was intended to increase turnout and accountability. The commission did not approve the measure on July 30 and instead asked for additional legal analysis and public discussion.

The referral leaves in place the current board members’ terms until any committee recommendations or subsequent votes by the full commission. Representative Hardaway’s request for an attorney‑general opinion and commissioners’ requests for written legal analyses mean the next phase will focus on constitutional risks, whether a county referendum is required, and the specific timeline for any alignment.","After hours of public comment and legal debate, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted 10–1 to send a proposal to align Memphis‑area school board terms and impose term limits back to committee for further review and an attorney‑general opinion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Community groups tell commissioners of alleged medical neglect and abuse at 201 Poplar jail intake

Commission approves $11.2 million to fund juvenile detention transition from sheriff to county corrections

Shelby County commission delays vote on alignment and term-limit plan for Memphis‑area school board