Advocates read names of people who died in county jails, urge healthcare committee and restored visitation at 201 Poplar

Dozens of names of people who died inside Shelby County jails since 2018 were read aloud during public comment, and speakers asked the Board of Commissioners to require clinical outcomes and community representation in provider selection.

Reverend Laura Geddes, of Grace St. Luke's Episcopal Church and Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Faith, read the list and urged formation of “a healthcare committee representing the community, the families, and advocates” to review candidates and make recommendations to the county purchasing committee. Geddes said the committee should prioritize clinical outcomes, safety records and capability over cost and asked the commission for a statutory requirement that “provider selection prioritizes clinical outcomes over cost.”

Adam Nelson, who also read names, described one death he had accompanied a family through and urged the same oversight: “We want them to provide a formal recommendation to the purchasing committee based on clinical outcomes, safety records, and capability rather than price,” he said.

Sarah Hodges, speaking about visitation at 201 Poplar, said she and other family members were turned away from in‑person visits because the jail is limiting visits to 25 people. “There are 2,700 men at 201 Poplar and visitation has been shown to reduce recidivism,” Hodges said, citing studies she said show a 26% reduction in recidivism and higher employment for people who receive family visits. She asked the commission to “restore the on‑location visits to pre‑COVID capacity.”

The comments did not prompt an immediate vote or formal direction in the meeting record; commissioners and staff did not announce a committee referral during the public‑comment segment. The speakers asked the body to use procurement and oversight to ensure safety and outcomes in contracting for jail healthcare services.