‘Life threatening’ conditions at 201 Poplar highlighted in new lawsuit
Shelby County officials face a federal lawsuit over deteriorating jail conditions at the jail, including extreme heat, unsanitary water, and safety risks.
Tammy Castany
The jail at 201 Poplar has faced longstanding concerns over its deteriorating conditions, but a new lawsuit filed against Shelby County officials highlights what attorneys describe as “life-threatening” issues impacting inmates.
Attorneys filed a federal class-action lawsuit Sept. 14, 2026, against Shelby County, Mayor Lee Harris, Sheriff Anthony J. Buckner and the Shelby County Board of Commissioners over conditions at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of six inmates currently housed at 201 Poplar who attorneys say have been subjected to “unconstitutional conditions” at the jail. It asks the court to order the county to fix conditions detailed in the complaint. The plaintiffs are not seeking monetary damages.
Maintenance and safety issues highlighted in the complaint include inadequate ventilation, ineffective fire alarm and detection systems, exposed hazards, sewage issues and unsanitary conditions.
Earlier in 2026, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office held a news conference to address air conditioning issues at 201 Poplar during a record hot summer.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of six inmates currently housed at 201 Poplar who attorneys say have been subjected to “unconstitutional conditions” at the jail. It asks the court to order the county to fix conditions detailed in the complaint. The plaintiffs are not seeking monetary damages.
Maintenance and safety issues highlighted in the complaint include inadequate ventilation, ineffective fire alarm and detection systems, exposed hazards, sewage issues and unsanitary conditions.
Earlier in 2026, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office held a news conference to address air conditioning issues at 201 Poplar during a record hot summer.
An inmate named in the lawsuit allegedly spent 7 days in intake and had to “beg for a new colostomy bag,” according to the complaint. The lawsuit states he did not receive a replacement for 4 to 5 days.
The complaint also raises concerns about the jail’s fire alarm system, particularly during emergencies such as a diesel fuel leak in the jail’s kitchen earlier this year.
As of June 2026, the last fire system inspection cited progress in repairs but still noted that work would not be completed until the end of the year.
Exposed wiring was documented in a June 2026 needs assessment cited in the lawsuit. The complaint also details plumbing problems, water leaks, mold and pest infestations.
According to the lawsuit, inmates have reported brown water coming from sinks in their cells, which serve as their source of drinking water.
One inmate alleged that the jail recently painted the shower floor in his unit black so “mold could be less visible.”
The complaint argues that Shelby County officials have been aware of many of the jail’s problems but have failed to adequately address them. The lawsuit cites annual inspections conducted by the Tennessee Corrections Institute from 2017 through 2024 that it says documented recurring issues at the facility.
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