TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jan 16, 2026

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris held a press conference earlier this week to highlight concerns at the county jail, known as 201 Poplar. The Commercial Appeal reports that he also used the event to call on Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner to "come up with a plan for reform in 2026.” According to Harris, Bonner has not provided a thorough plan for reform for the jail. Harris also called out the number of deaths at the jail, saying the issue is that of management and oversight and that there is a "lack of basic humanity in our jail." Ahead of the press conference, Bonner sent a press release to media outlets saying Harris has routinely underfunded the sheriff's office and refused to engage with Bonner about the need for a new jail.