Juvenile Court to take over youth detention center soon, leaving some worried about transition
Dec 18, 2024
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is now less than two weeks away from turning over the reins of the county’s youth detention center to Juvenile Court.
That has youth advocates concerned about the move and how this may play out. One group is worried the needs of youth detained in this center may be overlooked in this transition.
The Youth Justice Action Coalition says it needs answers on what will happen to Shelby County's Youth Justice and Education Center.
The Sheriff's Office announced earlier this year they would be pulling out of the center and handing over the keys to Juvenile Court.
Back in November, the coalition sent out a letter calling for transparency. But they say a month later, they have received no answer from the sheriff, which makes them increasingly nervous.
"Transparency looks like speaking to the community, it looks like telling the community where we are with the process," said Aerris Newton, director of government affairs with Stand For Children TN.
Juvenile Court told the group they "remain ready and willing to work constructively with the sheriff's department team."
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The coalition says it took a public meeting to hear some of the sheriff’s plan.
"At that meeting, Sheriff Bonner reiterated multiple times that he would not be throwing away the key on December 31st," Newton said.
The sheriff announced a transition team would handle the change.
But this group wants more community members to be part of the conversation about changes at the detention and education center.
One of those voices is Khadijah Fullilove, who was once detained at the juvenile cente.
"We need to have more hours out because like 23 hours in, one hour out that's like a dog," Fullilove said. "When you get out of the detention center your mind still be stuck, like you'll try and talk to people and they won't listen because they probably didn't go through it, but when you talk to people that do go through it, they don't care, like they been gave up."
The Carver High student wants voices like hers included so time spent as a detainee truly helps young people get back on track.
"They teach you about the Bible, most definitely you got to learn about the Bible while you in JIFF and I feel like the Bible really helps child's mind," she said.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is also concerned about this transition. He sent a letter dated back in September saying he didn’t agree with this change.