Memphis, Tenn. – November 17, 2025 – The Shelby County Commission has approved a consent agenda that includes a $1 million request from the sheriff’s office to replace additional doors at the aging men’s jail at 201 Poplar. The latest funding will be used to replace 92 sliding doors, which have become a major safety concern due to their deteriorating condition.
What Happened
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) previously received $6 million earlier this year to replace 636 faulty doors at the facility, which inmates had learned to pry open, posing a security risk. The latest request for funding aims to replace the remaining doors with new swinging doors, a more secure alternative to the current sliding models.
Commissioner Mick Wright confirmed that the replacement doors will cost approximately $10,900 each, bringing the total for the project to over $7 million spent on door replacements alone this year. The decision was presented to the commission last week and approved as part of a larger agenda to improve security and living conditions at the facility.
What Is Being Done to Improve 201 Poplar Jail?
The work on the men’s jail at 201 Poplar is part of an ongoing effort to address the facility’s deteriorating infrastructure. Assistant Chief Jailer George Askew told commissioners that despite the significant investments in replacing doors, it will take another two years to complete the project. This is due to the complexity of the task and the fact that the number of crews working on the project was recently doubled to speed up the process.
The jail, which houses a large number of inmates, has faced numerous challenges over the years, with safety concerns over the functionality of its doors being a primary issue. The ongoing door replacement effort is part of a broader plan to address these concerns and improve the overall safety of the facility for both inmates and staff.
Financial Considerations and Impact
The cost of replacing the doors has increased significantly due to external factors such as the tariffs implemented under former President Donald Trump’s administration. According to SCSO Chief Administrative Officer Alicia Lindsey, the cost to repair each door before the tariffs were imposed was around $6,000. The increase in cost to $10,900 per door reflects the rising expenses tied to construction materials and other related factors.
The approval of the $1 million request has been seen as a necessary step to ensure the continued safety of the facility and prevent further security breaches.
Closing
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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