Shelby County has a Jail Problem.

This week, an update from our guest columnist, Laramie Wheeler, Communications & Advocacy Manager at Just City:

“Since 2018, 68 people have died in custody in the Shelby County jail, surpassing the infamous Rikers Island in the percentage of inmates who died in custody. These were pre-trial detainees, some of whom were at 201 Poplar for misdemeanor offenses or mental health crises. Many died as a result of pre-existing conditions that were likely exacerbated by the conditions of the jail or, as some families’ lawsuits allege, abuse and/or neglect by jail staff and the medical provider.”