Shelby County Juvenile Detention Oversight Questioned Amid Concerns of Solitary Confinement

Recent scrutiny has been placed on oversight of the Shelby County, Tennessee, Youth Justice and Education Center, with advocates raising concerns that insufficient independent monitoring could lead to the reintroduction of solitary confinement practices for incarcerated youth. Despite assurances from county officials and the state Department of Children’s Services (DCS), questions remain about the effectiveness of current oversight mechanisms and the potential for abuse.

Concerns Over Limited Oversight

The debate centers on a recently deferred ordinance intended to limit the use of solitary confinement within the facility. While the legislation aimed to restrict isolation time, critics argue it lacks provisions for independent oversight, raising fears that problematic practices could continue unchecked. Advocates point to a history of insufficient supervision, even during periods when solitary confinement was officially discouraged.

Ala’a Alattiyat, coordinator for the Youth Justice Action Council, stated that previous issues stemmed from “unchecked power” given to the Sheriff’s Office when it operated the center. She emphasized that a lack of oversight allowed abusive practices to persist for extended periods.

DCS Oversight and its Limitations

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ office, which assumed operation of the facility in October 2025, asserts that solitary confinement has ended. Although, advocates express skepticism about the adequacy of oversight provided by the state’s Department of Children’s Services (DCS). They argue that DCS has historically failed to provide sufficient supervision, not only in Shelby County but across the state.

A DCS representative acknowledged the agency’s limited authority to oversee juvenile facilities. A key issue lies in differing definitions of “seclusion” (synonymous with solitary confinement) between state law and DCS regulations. DCS standards allow for isolation even when children can see or hear others, a practice considered seclusion under state law. Terry Kupers, professor emeritus at the Wright Institute and a solitary confinement expert, highlighted the importance of meaningful human interaction, even during isolation, stating that communication through walls or vents is not sufficient.

Past Issues and Ongoing Concerns

Prior to the county’s Division of Corrections taking over, an MLK50 investigation revealed that youth were regularly held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day or more between 2023 and 2025 while under the Sheriff’s Office’s operation. Despite DCS inspections, no action was taken to address these practices.

A 2023 ProPublica and WPLN investigation found similar issues at the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Service Center in Knoxville, where children were routinely placed in solitary confinement for minor infractions, despite DCS inspectors documenting the violations. DCS did not compel the facility to change its practices.

A class-action lawsuit filed in July 2024 by Disability Rights Tennessee alleged that DCS and the state failed to adequately oversee juvenile facilities, leading to illegal solitary confinement practices in several centers, including Shelby County’s.

State Comptroller’s Findings

A December 2025 audit by the state comptroller’s office revealed that every juvenile facility independently inspected was out of compliance with regulations in “critical areas,” despite ongoing DCS inspections. This finding further underscores concerns about the effectiveness of current oversight mechanisms.

Recommendations and Future Steps

Experts emphasize the need for independent and permanent oversight to prevent the resurgence of harmful practices. Zoe Jamail, a former policy director at Disability Rights Tennessee, stated that establishing independent oversight is crucial to ensuring safe conditions. The state comptroller recommended that the general assembly consider legislation granting DCS more direct enforcement mechanisms over publicly administered juvenile detention centers.

DCS officials acknowledge their limitations, citing insufficient funding and the need for cooperation from the state attorney general’s office to pursue legal action against non-compliant facilities. The agency also relies on children to report issues during inspections, a method that may not always capture the full extent of the problem.

Rebecca Cadenhead is the youth life and justice reporter for MLK50: Justice Through Journalism.