SCSO Addresses Concerns Over Visitation at Juvenile Detention Center
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Shelby County Sheriffโs Office (SCSO) provides updates regarding concerns surrounding visitation at the Shelby County Juvenile Facility. The concerns mainly surround the fact that parents are being denied visits with their children currently housed in the facility. Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner, on behalf of the SCSO, assures that they are on the cusp of beginning a “robust visitation program.”
Concerns Raised Over Visitation at Juvenile Center
A number of organizations had previously sent a letter to the SCSO outlining their concerns at the Shelby County Juvenile Facility. The primary issue was visitation. It was alleged that parents were not being permitted to see their children in detention.
SCSO’s Response to Visitation Concerns
In response to these allegations, Chief Deputy Buckner stated that the institution had been working over the past month on a comprehensive visitation program. He expressed confidence in the successful implementation of this program in the near future at the juvenile center.
“I think the hangup right now is who the court allows to visit these youth, weโre not privy to that information and certainly we donโt want to have a kid in custody on some type of welfare case and we allow an abuser to visit with that child,โ said Chief Deputy Buckner, addressing the primary challenge they are currently facing.
Other Factors Influencing Visitation Practices
Besides the challenge of identifying authorized visitors, another factor affecting visitation is the current population at the correctional facility. According to a letter from Sheriff Floyd Bonner, there were 110 children in the center on a recent Monday – a number much higher than anticipated. Normally anticipating between 40-60 youth, the center seldom has fewer than 100 present.
Sheriff Bonnerโs letter further revealed that the office was considering the option of using outdoor spaces for visitation, dependent on the weather conditions.
Need for Collaborative Efforts to Improve Conditions
Improving conditions at the juvenile justice center is going to require a group effort. The Sheriffโs Office expressed interest in partnering with non-profit organizations to help bring about beneficial changes.
“Thatโs going to take non-profit organizations to come to the table with their best ideas. We want to be in partnership with them.”, mentioned Chief Deputy Bucker, emphasizing the importance of joined hands for positive impact.
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
