MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Nearly 400 doors have been replaced at 201 Poplar as officials at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) work to address infrastructure issues at the jail.
In January 2025, SCSO Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner told reporters that a $6.2 million project had begun to replace approximately 636 doors, a task estimated to take two years to complete.
In an update released on Dec. 27, Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. shared that 368 of those cell doors have been replaced. He outlined the infrastructure progress to date below:
- Cell doors replaced: 368 of 636 (58%)
- Housing pods upgraded: 18 of 30 (60%)
- Project investment: $6.2 million, partially funded through federal ARPA resources
- Project timeline: Initiated in early 2025; scheduled for completion within two years
“Theses upgrades directly address recurring power-related failures that, in prior years, compromised electronic door controls and increased the risk of unauthorized movement and assaults,” SCSO officials said. “By modernizing door systems and coordinating with local utility providers to stabilize electrical infrastructure, the Division has taken concrete steps to improve safety for both staff and individuals in custody.”…