The juvenile detention center needs to be replaced
Bill Powell
Bill Powell worked in the criminal justice system in Shelby County for 39 years. At the time of his retirement, he served as criminal justice coordinator for Shelby County Government and as settlement agreement coordinator for Shelby County Government and the U.S. Department of Justice.
The question ultimately is not whether we can afford a new facility but whether we can afford not to have one.
Topics
Shelby County Juvenile Court Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center Shelby County Mayor Lee HarrisRelated stories
Plans for new youth detention center up in air amid talk of renovation
Shelby County officials, who last year approved funding for preliminary work to build a new juvenile detention facility, are now exploring alternatives such as renovating a closed youth facility in Southeast Memphis.
Question of new or renovated juvenile detention center could renew debate over size
Just City executive director Josh Spickler said on the WKNO program “Behind The Headlines” that Juvenile Court needs more resources for children in detention. But he said the question of which children and how many wind up in detention or tried as adults should take priority over the details of the bricks and mortar.
Behind the Headlines Podcast: Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner discusses challenges in recruiting, plans for a new juvenile detention center, highway shootings and more with host Eric Barnes and Bill Dries with the Daily Memphian.
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